Shooting sports hits target in teaching responsibility

"Ready on the left ... ready on the right ... commence firing"

A barrage of arrows flew forward at incredible speeds toward six targets ranged from 10 to 20 yards away.

"Bullseye," yelled one of the archers.

Their ages range from 8 to 18 years and their abilities are spread across as wide a spectrum.

Some hit their target consistently. Others, still learning the proper way to release a bow, watch as arrows sail over their target.

As the last arrow strikes the target with a thud, instructor Louie Braun shouts to get the archers attention.

"Cease fire. Range is closed. Walk slowly to get your arrows. Look behind you before you pull your arrows out."

All of them follow Braun's instructions to a tee.

This is the Platte Valley 4-H shooting sports club and its practices are a mixture of fun and discipline.

Students 8 to 18 years old learn how to shoot air pistols, air rifles, muzzleloaders, shotguns for trap shooting, .22 pistol, .22 rifle and archery.

Mike Moon with the 4-H Program said members of 4-H shooting sports can compete at regional and statewide tournaments. Moon said that though competition is an important part of shooting sports, there are more important aspects to the sports.

"Our goal to teach safety, respect and restraint while handling weapons," Moon said. "And these kids do very well."

Now in its 28th year, 4-H shooting sports have taught hundreds of kids the proper way to handle a weapon. Kids of all shooting abilities are welcome and the only requirement is that kids must sign up for 4-H.

"We are pretty high on 4-H around here," Moon said. "It helps the youth out quite a bit.

The 4-H club has around 30 participants for shooting sports in the Platte Valley.

"This time of year we have high participation because there is nothing else going on," Moon said. "But our numbers start to drop in the summer."

They are instructed by a group of volunteers who must take shooting sports certified leader training courses before training the young marksmen.

One of those volunteer instructors is Bill Wickstrom. Wickstrom says that he assists with shooting sports not just because of what it teaches the kids, but because he gets enjoyment of it as well.

"It's a lot of fun working with the kids," Wickstrom said.

Many of the younger archers had their own personal bows, however Moon said that they make a good effort to provide what they can for the youth in the program.

"We try to furnish what we can," Moon said.

The marksmen are currently practicing at the multi-purpose gym in the Platte Valley Community Center. When the weather warms up, 4-H shooting sports members will bring out the big guns and work on trap shooting and .22 rifle. Moon said that the Saratoga Gun Club provides the facilities for those events.

"The gun club has been good to us," Moon said. "They've helped us out a lot over the years."

According to Moon, shooting sports serves a social purpose as well.

"We have a few competitions throughout the year," Moon said. "There's a competitive side to it, but for most of (the shooters) its about building camraderie."

A young boy and his father walked up to Moon. They explained that because of wrestling, the boy could not participate in shooting sports anymore.

"It was a hard decision for him," the father said.

Moon said it was no big deal and that he would miss having him at shooting sports. Even though the boy had left, Moon knew he had accomplished his goal.

"If we taught (arms) safety to a kid even in that little time we have with them, it's worth it."