MONTICELLO – On September 14, 78 Illinois 4-H members competed in the 2019 State 4-H Shotgun Shoot championship at Bunker Hill Shooting Park in Macoupin County. Dakota Larimore-Lamb, a senior at Bement High School, returned to the competition taking 2nd place, improving over his 4th-place finish in 2018.

“Dakota exemplifies the hard work and dedication cultivated in the Piatt County 4-H shooting sports program," said Jamie Boas, Extension 4-H Youth Development Educator. "This was his last time competing and we are very proud of his accomplishments, but also of his work at club meetings where he helps younger 4-H members in the program.”

Dakota, 18, has been a member of Piatt County Shooting Sports for 10 years and is the son of Tom Lamb and Paula McDermith. In 2018, Dakota earned a place on the Illinois 4-H Shotgun team and trip to nationals in Nebraska. Piatt County 4-H Shooting Sports practice at the Lake Fork Sportsman Club in Atwood twice a month led by coach Tom Bates.

The shooting sports project teaches the responsible and safe handling of firearms. Members must be involved in a club led by a certified volunteer who has completed the National 4-H Shooting Sports training.

“4-H Shooting Sports Clubs are founded on the principles of positive youth development,” said Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois assistant dean and Illinois Extension 4-H director. “We want our members to feel welcomed in our program, to grow in leadership and independence, and be inspired to be generous in service to others as they master the skills of shooting sports.”

Piatt County 4-H is provided through Illinois Extension and is open to youth ages 8 to 18. Youth learn skills for living by participating in individual or group-learning experiences related to more than 200 project areas. Find Piatt County 4-H on Facebook.

Illinois 4-H Shooting sports is one of the fastest growing projects in Illinois 4-H. The program instills a love of outdoor sportsmanship while it teaches safe and responsible handling and use of firearms. There are five disciplines: archery, shotgun, rifle, pistol and hunting and outdoor skills. The shooting sports program instills a love of outdoor sportsmanship while it teaches safe and responsible handing and use of firearms. Learn more at 4h.extension.illinois.edu/programs/shooting-sports or contact Illinois Extension 4-H Shooting Sports Educator Curt Sinclair at (217) 762-2741.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in a program, please call (217) 762-2191. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Contact

Jamie Boas
Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Piatt Extension Office
210 S. Market St., Monticello, IL 61856
(217) 762-2191
kleissjm@illinois.edu