Western Heritage
Western Heritage Discipline
Program Description
The Western Heritage project is a combination of 4-H Shooting Sports and a living history of the frontier west from 1860 to 1900. It combines a comprehensive study of the Old West with the fastest-growing shooting sports discipline in the world: western action shooting. The purpose is to provide an avenue for 4-H members and adult leaders to experience the lifestyles and cultures of the Old West from the period of around 1860–1900 through a living history approach to learning while instilling the concepts of gun safety and personal responsibility. Members dress in Old West clothing, shoot replica firearms of the frontier period, and expand their knowledge of U.S. history.
Find more information about the project and rules on the 4-H Western Heritage Project website. Click here for the Western Heritage rules and overview.
IMPORTANT: Additional Requirements for Western Heritage
To participate in any live-shooting portion of the Western Heritage Project, members must be 9 years old 4-H age at the start of the current 4-H year. Members must have completed at least one project year of 4-H Shooting Sports that includes firearm and range experience. (Participation in Archery does NOT meet the firearm and range experience requirement.)
Members must be 12 years old 4-H age to use handguns. Members must have written permission from parents or legal guardians to participate in this project in compliance with the Gun Control Act of 1968 and the Youth Handgun Safety Act of 1994.
A Youth Safety Handgun Form must be completed, given to the key leaders, uploaded to v2.4HOnline.com, and a copy kept in the member’s pistol case.
Participation is at the discretion of the extension specialist and the discipline key leaders.
Leadership
There is currently no leader for Western Heritage.
News and Updates
Calendar
Important Notice!
We are not currently able to offer shooting practices or the county shoot portion of the project for Western Heritage due to the lack of a certified key leader in this discipline. However, members can enroll in the discipline and complete a project for the fair in Western Heritage.
View on Google Calendar
Click here to view the calendar directly on Google Calendar.
Subscribe to the Calendar
To subscribe using your Google account, click the Add to Google Calendar link in the lower-left-hand corner on the calendar. To access the calendar from other applications, use this link to subscribe:
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 Western Heritage for 2026, due to not having a key leader certified in this discipline. No Orientation will be offered for Western Heritage.
Western Heritage 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.
Western Heritage Equipment
Important: Key Leader Input
Please consult the key leaders before purchasing equipment. They can offer specific advice before you make an investment.
Safety
Eye protection is required.
Ear protection is required.
Follow all safety rules as listed in the Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports Policies and Procedures for 2025.
Western Heritage County Shoot
County Shoot
There will not be a county shoot for Western Heritage.
Western Heritage National Conference and Invitational Shoot
The 2025 National 4-H Western Heritage Conference and Invitational Shoot will be held in Columbia, Missouri from July 29–31, 2025.
Event information, registration, history test study guide, persona score sheets, and hotel information can be found on the 4-H Western Heritage website.