Outdoor Skills
Outdoor Skills Discipline
Important Notice!
We are not currently able to offer shooting practices or the county shoot portion of the project for Outdoor Skills for 2025, due to not having a key leader certified in this discipline. However, members can enroll in the discipline and complete a project for the fair in Outdoor Skills.
Description
Outdoor Skills (also referred to as Hunting Skills) is a project based on teaching youth about safe and ethical hunting practices and skills. It's a little different from the other disciplines— shooting skills are only a portion of the competition.
Rifle
3D archery course with hunting skills
Shotgun sporting clay course
Compass course
Map reading/Orienteering contest
General knowledge test
Gear judging contest
Wildlife identification
Shoot/No shoot scenarios
Download the member’s manual published by 4-H National Shooting Sports here.
Leadership
There is currently no leader for Outdoor Skills.
News and Updates
Calendar
View on Google Calendar
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Troubleshooting
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Orientation Process
We are not currently able to offer shooting practices or the county shoot portion of the project for Outdoor Skills for 2026, due to not having a key leader certified in this discipline. No Orientation will be offered for Outdoor Skills.
Outdoor Skills Practices
Practices
There are no meetings or practices scheduled for Outdoor Skills for 2026.
Observe the 4-H Dress Code and safety/discipline rules as listed in the Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports Policies and Procedures for 2025.
Everyone in attendance, not just members, must sign in and out of practices.
Communication
Watch for updated information about group communication for 2026.
Outdoor Skills Equipment
Please visit the individual shooting sports discipline pages for specific information about equipment.
Important: Key Leader Input
Please consult the key leaders before purchasing equipment. They can offer specific advice before you make an investment.
For full equipment descriptions and information, see the Colorado State 4-H Shooting Sports Rule Book (Revised 4/2025).
Safety
Please visit the pages for each discipline (Archery, .22 Rifle, Shotgun) to find safety information.
Outdoor Skills State Shoot
State Shoot Information
Dates
To be determined.
Location
To be determined.
Registration
Participants must be enrolled in the 4-H Hunting & Outdoor Skills discipline by the Larimer County 4-H enrollment deadline of February 13, 2026 to participate.
Competitions
Rifle
3D archery course with hunting skills
Shotgun sporting clay course
Compass course
Map reading contest
General knowledge test
Geer judging contest
Animal identification
Shoot/No shoot scenarios
What to Bring
Bring your own ammo and firearms, bows, arrows, compass, pencils, and clipboard. Rangefinders are not allowed. Bring your own eye and ear protection (both are required for every shooting competition).
Snacks and water.
National Qualifier
This competition is primarily intended for participants interested and available to qualify and compete at the 4-H National Shooting Sports Championships in June 2025. Senior 4-H members who are eligible will take priority if the field is limited. This is a first-come, first-served event.
Outdoor Skills National Championships
National Shoot Information
The 2026 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships will be held June 21–26, 2026 in Grand Island, Nebraska. 4-H youth from across the country compete in compound archery, recurve archery, air rifle, air pistol, .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and outdoor/hunting skills.
Colorado 4-H’s team members are determined based on standings at the 2025 Colorado 4-H State Shooting Sports Championships.
Click here to learn more about the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships.