Key Leader
Dennis Rinebarger
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.
News and Updates
Calendar
Troubleshooting
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Orientation Process
New Members
Members new to Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports must complete the orientation process by attending an Annual Safety Meeting on Zoom first, followed by one of the orientations for Western Heritage second.
Annual Safety Meeting on Zoom
Friday, February 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
–The Zoom links will be emailed to enrolled Shooting Sports members one week before each meeting date.
–Please log in a few minutes around 6:25 p.m.—we will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
–Members AND parents are required to attend, and we will be taking attendance during the meeting.
–We will alert discipline key leaders about who is ready for new member orientation or practices based on fulfilling the Zoom requirement.
Western Heritage New Member Orientations
Orientations will be ongoing throughout the year as members are learning in meetings and at the range. If you have any questions, please contact the key leader for Western Heritage.
Returning Members
All returning members are required to attend the mandatory Annual Safety Meeting on Zoom. (Returning members are defined as those who participated in practices for Western Heritage during the previous year.)
Annual Safety Meeting on Zoom
Friday, February 2, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, March 8, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
–The Zoom links will be emailed to enrolled Shooting Sports members one week before each meeting date.
–Please log in a few minutes around 6:25 p.m.—we will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
–Members AND parents are required to attend, and we will be taking attendance during the meeting.
–We will alert discipline key leaders about who is ready for new member orientation or practices based on fulfilling the Zoom requirement.
Orientations will be ongoing throughout the year as members are learning in meetings and at the range. If you have any questions, please contact key leaders for Western Heritage.
Practices
Practice Schedule
Meetings take place on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. at the McKee Building at The Ranch. Check the calendar for specific dates.
Beginning in April, practices will move outdoors on Fridays at 6:00 p.m. at Great Guns Sporting in Nunn. We will be at the range, rain or shine. Please bring your books in case it’s raining and we’ll go to the clubhouse to study.
Practice Locations
McKee Building at The Ranch
5280 Arena Circle
Loveland, Colorado 80538
Great Guns Sporting LLC
16126 County Road 96
Nunn, Colorado 80648
Practice Information
Parents must stay at practice.
Everyone in attendance, not just members, must sign in and out of practices. This is how we make sure everyone is accounted for, and how we track your practice attendance.
No electronics on the shooting line.
Observe the 4-H Dress Code and safety/discipline rules as listed in the Larimer County 4-H Shooting Sports Policies and Procedures.
Follow the 4-H Code of Conduct.
Communication
We will use Remind to send alerts about cancellations and other important communications.
Text Messages – Sign up via Remind by texting @4HWESTRNLC to 81010. Opt out of messages by replying unsubscribe @4HWESTRNLC to the same number.
Email – Send an email to 4HWESTRNLC@mail.remind.com. No subject is needed.
App – Available for your Android phone or iPhone. Choose “Join a class” and enter the class code @4HWESTRNLC.
Please Note: Our Remind account will NOT allow members under the age of 13 to join.
Visit remind.com for details.
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.
Competitions
County Shoot Requirements
Members compete in two age groups: Juniors = 4-H age 8–13, Seniors = 4-H age 14–18.
Register for the Shooting Sports project and Western Heritage discipline by the March deadline.
Attend a minimum of 4 Larimer County practices.
Informational meetings, orientations, safety meetings, and workshops do NOT count as practices.
Members do NOT have to compete at the county shoot to complete the project.
County Shoot Information
Date
Date to be determined.
Location
Pawnee Sportsmens Center
40914 County Road 71
Briggsdale, CO 80611
Be sure to bring snacks, drinks, foods, chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen, and any other needs you may have. And most importantly, bring your costume and firearms!
State Shoot Information
Click here to find information about the Colorado 4-H Western Heritage Invitational Contest.
More information about the date and location will be shared when it becomes available.
National Shoot Information
The 2024 National 4-H Western Heritage Conference and Invitational Shoot will take place July 28–31, 2024 in Price, Utah.
Event information, registration, history test study guide, persona score sheets, and hotel information can be found on the 4-H Western Heritage website.
Entry fees are $120.00 per participant and spectator. These fees cover meals as indicated on the agenda and activities.
Projects and Record Books
Visit the Projects page for information that applies to all Shooting Sports disciplines.