Bexar County 4-H Fishing and Shooting Sports

Bexar County 4-H Fishing and Shooting Sports is a chartered 4-H club founded in August 2007 by Jennie Dietrich and her family. The club started when Jennie moved to San Antonio and couldn't find a 4-H shooting sports program that offered the range of disciplines she wanted. After seeing low participation from Bexar County youth at the Texas 4-H Rifle and Pistol Championships, she worked with Dr. Ron Howard (4-H Shooting Sports Director) to build something better.

The club teaches five shooting disciplines:

• •Rifle, Pistol, Muzzleloading & Hunting – First and third Saturdays at Alamo Muzzleloading Gun Club (Co Rd 583, Lacoste, TX 78039)
• •Shotgun – Second and fourth Saturdays at San Antonio Gun Club, Field #7 (928 E Contour Dr, San Antonio, TX 78212)
• •Archery – Second and fourth Saturdays at San Antonio Gun Club

Any child residing in Bexar County, ages 8 and in 3rd grade through high school graduation. Parents or guardians must stay at practices and assist coaches with safety. Adults are welcome to volunteer.

Cost to join: - Texas 4-H enrollment: $30/year (September 1–August 31) - Club dues: $10/year

4-H Shooting Sports maintains an exemplary safety record. Every practice includes safety instruction covering:

• •Muzzle and trigger discipline
• •Eye and ear protection (required for all shooters and spectators)
• •Firearms stored and transported separately from ammunition
• •All guns kept in "open and empty" condition until ready to shoot

The club maintains a collection of firearms and bows available for members to borrow—no need to own your own gear to start. This lets kids try each discipline before investing in equipment.

Practice schedule: - Rifle/Pistol/Muzzleloading: 1st and 3rd Saturdays - Shotgun/Archery: 2nd and 4th Saturdays

Competition is optional but encouraged. The club emphasizes "better your best"—winning means improving from your last score, not beating other shooters. Many kids who don't think they're good discover they excel in competition.

For serious competitors, the club hosts the 14th Annual Bexar Junior Shoot-Out in November, which qualifies youth for the S.A.L.E. Junior Shoot-Out at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Registration happens on i-clays.com in October.

The club uses Lewis Class Scoring, which groups shooters by age and skill level so awards go to top three in each division—giving every age group a fair shot.

Record Books provide documentation for college scholarship opportunities. Kids don't have to compete, but they do need to show progress in their record books.

• •12 gauge or smaller
• •Max two shells loaded at a time
• •Ammunition provided by club when available
• •Closed-toe shoes and eye/ear protection required
• •Safety briefing before every practice
• •Rules follow Texas 4-H Shotgun standards

• •Bow classes: Recurve, Bare Bow, Compound Aided, Compound Unaided, NASP (National Archery Schools Program)

Dress code: - Closed-toe shoes and sleeved shirt - Long pants for 3D and field events

Equipment: - Shooting tab or glove recommended (available at sporting goods stores) - Arm guard suggested - Arrows must have target or field points - Ground quiver or body-worn quiver

• •Range commands: Four or more whistle blasts = cease fire. Two blasts = shooters to line. One blast = commence firing. Three blasts = flight complete.

Monthly business meetings at St. George Episcopal Church and School cafeteria (6900 West Ave, San Antonio, TX 78213). Members join Remind.com for practice notifications:

• •Rifle/Pistol: @bc-rpmh
• •Shotgun/Archery: @bc-shotgun

1. Enroll in 4-H Online (4hoyline.org) and select "Bexar 4-H Fishing and Shooting Sports" with primary project "Shooting Sports" 2. Pay $10 club dues at monthly meetings 3. Join the Remind.com message stream 4. Show up at a practice or monthly meeting

Contact Jennie Dietrich (Club Manager) at [email protected] or Kevin Knapick (Bexar County Extension Agent) for 4-H Online questions.

Volunteer adults encouraged. The club needs coaches and mentors. Contact the club manager for opportunities.

The club hosts social events to build team unity: Christmas party, 4-H Youth Day at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and end-of-year celebration.

This is 4-H's "learn by doing" in action—kids develop leadership, citizenship, sportsmanship, and confidence through actual shooting practice and competition.