By By Justin Rodgers / 4-H youth agent
June 16, 2002
Lauderdale County 4-H Field and Stream club members recently competed in the 2002 South Competition in Collins.
Eleven members competed in a variety of disciplines, including .22-caliber rifle, air rifle, air pistol and .22-caliber pistols. Lauderdale County was represented well, with all members scoring high in their discipline.
Tyler Griffin scored a 216 in the 16- to 18-year-old age division of the .22-caliber rifle competition, which qualified him for the state competition at the Youth Life skills Center in West Point where he placed seventh overall.
Christopher Clay placed second in the 10- to 11-year-old age division of the .22-caliber rifle competition, scoring a 226 out of a possible 300 points. He was followed by David Clay's 224 in the 12- to 13-year-old age division.
Robert Lucky scored a 196 in the 12- to 13-year-old age division. All four of the members qualified as "expert marksman," which is the highest ranking of the Field and Stream program.
Lydia Burns, Daniel Burns, Natalie Gross and Summer Lucky received the sharpshooter award. Justin Lucky, Laurie Gross, and Laura Lucky received the marksman award for their events. Congratulations to all the 2002 participants for representing Lauderdale County so well.
The Field and Stream program was invented to help guide young people in the right direction.
County and 4-H agents, leaders, instructors and coaches work with youth in county-based clubs, teaching them safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, hunting techniques and wildlife habitat management and conservation. Youth receive training, and then participate in shooting and wildlife events at local and statewide events.
Many different activities are available, including wildlife habitat evaluation, shotgun, rifle, archery, black powder, pistol, hunting and quail and small game habitat management.
The program centers on safety and responsibility; teaching skills; coaching principles; 4-H objectives and organization; sources of support; and means of linking hunting, shooting sports, and wildlife-related projects to other 4-H programs.
Every leader receives the program materials, and each is trained in a specialized discipline. Only one discipline may be taken at any given workshop because of the time requirements and the content load that must be communicated.
It is essential that a leader cover the basic elements before going on to advanced activities. The current workshop format includes instructional experiences, use of videos and slides, lecture and live fire.
The volunteer leaders play a key role in helping get the Field and Stream program up and running. The program must have coaches who are trained in each discipline for it to be successful.
This is a great opportunity for adults who have a love for wildlife and hunting to share their expertise with our youth. You could help change a young person's life and give them a life-long hobby.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the Lauderdale County Field and Stream program, either as a 4-H member or a volunteer leader, contact the Lauderdale County Extension Service at 482-9764 and get involved for the 2003 Field and Stream competition.