Contrary to rants you hear almost daily in the main stream media about me and other NRA members, this is the kind of things we do.
Last Saturday, 220 4-H’ers, grades 7-12, represented 4-H Clubs from 15 counties at one of the Georgia 4-H Northwest District Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun, and Education) Modified Trap State Qualification matches. It was held at the Griffin Gun Club and club members assisted with the event and provided clay targets, with help from a Friends of the National Rifle Association (NRA) grant.
The 4-H’ers competed to qualify for the State Modified Trap Target Challenge Weekend Match to be held at the Rock Eagle 4-H Center on May 12. To qualify, 4-H Juniors (grades 7 and 8) must break at least 16 out of 25 clay targets. The 4-H Seniors (grades 9-12) must break at least 20 out of 25 targets.
The targets are thrown, one at a time, by a trap that randomly oscillates up to 45 degrees to the left and right of center and wobbles the elevation from 0-35 degrees. Target speed is from 49-53 mph. Tie-breakers, in the top scores in either age division, require the 4-H’ers to shoot at two targets thrown simultaneously.
One trap throws targets as a near straight away and a second trap throws a target 35-45 degrees left of center. Five pairs of targets are thrown to determine the best scores out of the 10 targets.
The sportsman stands to the left of the trap with a dividing screen set to prevent the 4-Her from being able to see the traps. If additional rounds of doubles become necessary, the shooting station may be moved to the right of the traps or the elevation of the thrown targets may be lowered.
Awards are provided to the top-scoring individuals and to the top-scoring teams of 4-5 members in each of the two age divisions. Each county has 4-H certified coaches who volunteer to help teach the 4-H’ers shotgun safety, handling, and shooting skills. In addition, the 4-H’ers learn life skills such as teamwork, emotional control, task focus, and leadership.
The NRA Foundation was established in 1990. The NRA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises tax-deductible contributions in support of a wide range of firearm-related public interest activities of the National Rifle Association of America and other organizations that defend and foster the Second Amendment rights of all law-abiding Americans.
These activities are designed to promote firearm and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those participating in the shootings sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological, and artistic context. More information about The NRA Foundation can be found online at www.nrafoundation.org.