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Bleckley County
UGA Extension Office

SAFE (Shooting Sports)

What is Project S.A.F.E

Project S.A.F.E. (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) is an active program that is curriculum based and designed to assist young people in personal development, establish a personal environmental ethic and explore life-long vocational and avocational activities.  The program uses experiential learning and positive interactions with youth and adult role models to help young people develop self-concept, self-assurance and a positive self-image. 

Hunting and shooting have been a strong part of our American tradition and the 4-H S.A.F.E. program helps continue this tradition through the involvement of the whole family.  Georgia 4-H believes that in a society that has chosen to possess firearms, all members, regardless of age should be provided adequate training to ensure safe, ethical and responsible interaction with firearms.  We also believe that education, such as that provided by the S.A.F.E. program reduces accidents related to the sport.

Project S.A.F.E. Objectives

  • Enhance youth development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
  • To involve youth in a life skills program that teaches safe and responsible use of firearms including sound decision making, self-discipline and concentration.
  • To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
  • To expose participants to the broad array of vocational and life-long avocation activities related to shooting sports.
  • To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities.
  • To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter education programs using experiential (hands on) educational methods and progressive development of skills and abilities.

 

What does Bleckley County offer within the S.A.F.E. Project?

BB Team

Youth grades 5-8  Using a BB gun (Daisy 499 designed specifically for 4-H competition)... 4-H'ers are required to shoot using 10 shots each in 4 positions: Prone, standing, sitting and kneeling.  At district competitions, a safety exam consisting of 25 questions will be given as part of the overall score. 

Registration is usually held in January/February and practices are held 1-2 times a week.  Those shooters qualifying at Area/District competitions will advance to State competition as a team or individual.

 

Archery

Youth grades 5-12   4-H'ers interested in the Archery program may choose to compete in the Indoor division, Outdoor division or both.   Registration is usually held in the fall with practices being held once or twice a week. Classes are based on bow type:  Novice, Resurve or Compound, but Bleckley County traditionally competes in Compound classes only. 4-H'ers may compete as an individual or on a team, composed of 3-4 members of the same age division.  Click here for more information.

Shotgun Teams

Youth grades 7-12    4-H'ers interested in the Shotgun teams may choose to compete in Modified Trap, Trap and Skeet, or both. Registration begins in the fall and practices are held twice a week.  As competition time nears, the practice times may increase up to 3 times a week.  District qualifications are held in March/April with state competition in May.  Bleckley County has had a large, very successful program, with several teams winning state and advancing to national competitions, representing Bleckley Co 4-H as well as Georgia 4-H.   Click here for more information.