4-Hers learn for fun and safety

Walter Sprague
Art and Culture Reporter
 
Each January, Weston County 4-H begins training students on gun safety. The multi-week course begins with pellet pistols and air rifles. After a countywide shoot-off, the class graduates to .22s and live ammo. Then they receive training in archery, shotguns and, finally, muzzleloaders. 
“There is no set time for each class. But it usually lasts for about four weeks per class,” said Galen Stafford, who has been teaching for 20 years. “Then they shoot in the shoot-off, a sort of competition, before attending the next class.” 
Stafford said he takes pride in the number of students, more than he can count now, who have been through the training, which includes lessons in safety and accuracy. 
The 4-H education director, Brittany Hamilton, said the training is a must-have for all kids who want to participate in shooting sports. She said she is pleased with the quality of the safety education that each student receives. There is a no-nonsense approach to the sport, and because safety is such a big issue, goofing off is not tolerated. And the students receive almost as much time learning from lectures as they do from hands-on practice. Students are very knowledgeable by the time they have completed the course, she said.
While there is much left for the currently enrolled students to learn and activities to participate in, Stafford said he looks forward to every new January group to begin training. Classes continue from now through much of the summer and takes place at the Weston County Sportsman’s Club. 
While it is too late to start in this year’s program, Stafford encourages parents to enroll their children for next year. To do so, and to also learn about other valuable programs and events 4-H has to offer kids, contact Hamilton at bhamilt6@uwyo.edu, phone her at the 4-H office at (307) 746-3531 or visit her office in the Weston County Annex at 204 W. Main St. in Newcastle.