Youth Shooting Sports in Oklahoma

Red Dirt Shooting Sports operates as Oklahoma's largest youth-focused nonprofit shooting sports organization, serving ages 8–18 across Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, and Arkansas. Founded on the principle that "uncoachable kids become unemployable adults," they've built a comprehensive training ecosystem removing financial and access barriers to competitive shooting, archery, and outdoor education.

Organization Stats: - 750+ youth served annually - 70% receive full scholarships - Zero safety incidents in three years - 501(c)(3) nonprofit status - 120–150 direct participants per year - 600+ reached through mobile outreach

Air Rifle (Ages 8–18) Entry-level precision shooting teaching sporter 3-position (standing, kneeling, prone) and standing air rifle formats. Crosman Challenger PCP loaner rifles available at discounted rates. Beginner focus on safety, stance, and sight alignment; advanced levels prepare for state and national CMP/4-H matches.

Air Pistol (Ages 10–18) Dynamic precision training emphasizing grip, sight alignment, and trigger control. 10-meter competition format with progression from beginner accuracy drills to state/national match prep. Loaner pistols with full safety gear included.

Smallbore Rifle & Pistol (Ages 12–18) .22 caliber live-fire instruction for intermediate to advanced shooters. Teaches 3-position rifle and bullseye/action pistol disciplines with pathways to NSSA/ATA national competition.

Shotgun Sports (Ages 12–18) Trap, skeet, and sporting clays instruction with lead calculation and clay target fundamentals. Program provides shotguns and ammunition; certification from NRA Shotgun Instructors. Advanced levels reach state/national ATA and NSSA match standards.

Muzzleloader Shooting (Ages 13–18) Traditional black powder instruction covering loading procedures, powder measurement, and historical firearm mechanics. Equipment and black powder provided; certifications recognized for hunting seasons.

Hunter Education (Ages 12–18) State-certified comprehensive course covering firearm safety, hunting ethics, wildlife conservation, and legal compliance. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation approved; prerequisite for hunting licenses in OK, TX, MO, AR.

Target Archery (Ages 8–18) Olympic-style recurve and compound bow training from basics (10–20 yards) to advanced distance shooting (60+ yards). USA Archery Level 1/2 certifications. Loaner bows and full safety gear provided for all ability levels.

3D Archery (Ages 10–18) Realistic hunting scenarios using 3D foam animal targets. Youth develop range estimation, shot angles, and field shooting skills. Competitive pathway through ASA Pro/Am and OSAA State Championship events.

Bowhunting (Ages 12–18) Bridges target archery to ethical hunting. Covers vital zone shot placement, tracking, field dressing, and hunting regulations. Hunter Education Certificate required; equipment and broadheads provided for training.

Hunting Skills (Ages 12–18) Practical field training in scouting, stand placement, game calling, field dressing, and meat processing. Hands-on mentorship from experienced hunters; prerequisite for licensed hunting readiness.

Bowfishing (Ages 10–18) Combines archery with aquatic adventure. Teaches specialized bowfishing rigs, refraction compensation, and fish identification. Equipment provided; spring and summer water-based sessions.

Survival & Outdoor Skills (Ages 8–18) Wilderness competency from shelter building and fire safety to navigation and first aid. Progression from beginner day trips to advanced overnight expeditions; Wilderness First Aid and Outdoor Skills Badge certifications.

Coach Certifications: - NRA Instructor certifications across all disciplines - USA Archery Level 1/2 certified instructors - Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Range Officers - 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors - Annual First Aid/CPR and youth protection training

Safety Protocols: - Mandatory 45–60 minute safety orientation before equipment use - Comprehensive equipment inspections before each session - Emergency medical preparedness at all events - Weather monitoring with cancellation procedures - Site surveys and emergency action plans - AEDs and trauma kits onsite

No equipment ownership required. Loaner gear includes: - Crosman Challenger PCP air rifles - Recurve and compound bows - Shotguns and ammunition (provided for shotgun programs) - Muzzleloaders and black powder - Specialized archery/bowfishing equipment - Eye and ear protection - All equipment sanitized between uses

• •70% of youth receive scholarships covering:
• •Equipment and loaner gear access
• •Training fees
• •Competition travel costs
• •No application fees or income verification
• •Confidential financial assistance
• •Zero youth turned away due to cost

Typical scholarship range: $1,000–$2,000 per youth annually.

1. Safety Orientation (45–60 min) — Firearm/equipment safety, range rules, emergency procedures 2. Equipment Fitting — Coaches size and inspect loaner gear for proper fit 3. Fundamentals Assessment — Skills evaluation and instruction on stance, grip, sight picture 4. First Supervised Training — Real-time coaching feedback in safe environment 5. Progress Documentation — Coaches track development and outline personalized training path 6. Ongoing Community — Access to mentorship, peer support, and competition opportunities

• •Beginner (Ages 8–12): Air Rifle, Target Archery, Survival Skills — Focus on safety and fundamentals

• •Intermediate (Ages 10–16): Air Pistol, 3D Archery, Smallbore, Shotgun Sports, Bowfishing — Skill expansion and local competition

• •Advanced (Ages 13–18): Bowhunting, Hunting Skills, Smallbore Rifle, Muzzleloaders — Competition prep and leadership development

All programs follow standardized curricula from: - 4-H Shooting Sports standards - Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) protocols - USA Archery Level progression system - ASA/OSAA archery competition standards - State-certified hunter education (OK Dept. of Wildlife Conservation) - NRA instructor methodologies

• •Annual Reach: 120–150 direct participants + 600+ through mobile outreach and workshops

• •Partner Organizations:
• •Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP)
• •National Rifle Association (NRA)
• •4-H Shooting Sports
• •USA Archery
• •ASA/OSAA
• •Local schools and community organizations

• •Adult Training Offered:
• •Texas License to Carry (LTC) online courses ($40, proceeds fund youth programs)
• •Oklahoma Sportsmen's Defense Association (SDA) training
• •Texas LTC renewal and FAQ resources

"Bridging the gap between competition and conservation" — removing financial and access barriers to youth shooting sports since 2020.