LEWISTOWN, Ill. - University of Illinois Extension announces that the Fulton County 4-H Shooting Sports Program will begin its spring session on April 16.  Registration materials are available online at extension.illinois.edu/sites/default/files/spring_2023_registration_packet.pdf or by calling the U of I Extension office at 547-3711.

The major emphasis of 4-H Shooting Sports is safety while handling firearms. Respect, character building, and accuracy of shooting are also components.

Air Rifle is open to youth age 8-18 as of 9/1/22. Shotgun and Smallbore (.22) Rifle are open to youth age 10-18 as of 9/1/22. .22 Caliber Pistol is open to youth age 12-18 as of 9/1/22.

There is a program fee (once per 4-H year) of $20 due from each participant, and a supply fee ($10 for Air Rifle, $10 for .22 Caliber Pistol, $30 for Smallbore .22,  the Shotgun supply fee is paid by the Dale Lascelles memorial). 4-H program fees are paid annually and cover involvement in all 4-H clubs. Shooting Sports supply fees are paid for each discipline and each spring/fall session. 4-H Program Fees paid to University of Illinois. Supply Fees paid to Fulton 4-H Shooting Sports club. If you need assistance with the fees, contact the Extension Office at 547-3711. Class sizes are limited. Payment and all forms must be turned in by April 10th to be added to the list. How to register –  Enrollment packets are available on our website, or you may call to have one mailed to you (547-3711), or pick one up in person at the U of I Extension office in Lewistown. Signed forms and payment are required. Additionally, youth will need to be enrolled in ZSuite at 4h.zsuite.org .

For Shotgun, shoots are held at Jacob’s Field, near St. David. Shoots for Shotgun will be on six Sunday afternoons – April 16, 23, & 30; May 7, 21, & 28. All begin at 4 p.m. Certified instructors are Lee Roy Knuppel and Lonnie Van Pelt.

For Smallbore (.22) Rifle and .22 Caliber Pistol, shoots will be held at the Lee Roy Knuppel farm, east of Canton. These will be on the same dates as above – April 16, 23, & 30; May 7, 21, & 28. Pistol will be held at 1:00 p.m., and Smallbore Rifle will be held at 2:00 p.m. Certified instructor is Lee Roy Knuppel.

Air Rifle sessions will be on the same dates as above, at 1 p.m., at 613 West Avenue H in Lewistown. Certified instructors are Terry Cremer, Craig Hand, & Ellie Nolan.

If weather causes cancellations for any discipline, additional dates will be set. 

Eye and ear protection will be provided. The enrollment deadline is April 10, or earlier if certain disciplines become full.  Spots are filled on a first come, first-served basis. 

There is a Mandatory Safety Meeting on April 12, at 6:30 p.m., at the University of Illinois Extension Fulton County Office. Those who attended a previous 4-H Shooting Sports Safety Meeting for the same discipline are not required to come. However, if they are enrolling in a new discipline this time, they must attend the safety meeting. 

Fulton County has five certified instructors and one certified coordinator. These five individuals have attended state trainings to become certified. Nick Schisler is the coordinator, and the instructors are Terry Cremer (Air Rifle), Craig Hand (Air Rifle), Ellie Nolan (Air Rifle), LeeRoy Knuppel (Shotgun, Pistol, and Smallbore .22), and Lonnie VanPelt (Shotgun). There are also screened and trained assistants, who provide support to the instructors.

Volunteers are welcome to apply to become certified instructors or trained assistants. Call the Extension Office at 547-3711 for more information. 

All interested youth are urged to enroll in ZSuite, download the materials and get them submitted, or call the Extension Office at 547-3711 for further assistance.

Partial support from the NRA Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation provided equipment which helps introduce shooting sports safety to Fulton County 4-H youth.

If you are a person who needs a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, contact Krista Gray at University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County office, 309-547-3711.