On October 21, 2016 the Grand County 4-H Shooting Sports Club and The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Department joined forced to host a welcome tent at the Buyer Canyon Shooting Range for visiting hunters.Member of the grand county shooting sports program provided coffee, doughnuts and water for hunters that were waiting in line to use the range before their hunting season started. Hunters from Colorado as well as several other states were welcomed by 4-H members to Grand County and were educated on the shooting sports program.
The welcome tent was an idea from CPW Wildlife technician Doug Gillham who manages the range with volunteers throughout the year. Through the partnership to use the range for 4-H this summer, he had asked the 4-H Club to help provide refreshments. Along with refreshment, brochures from Parks and Wildlife and other Hunting Foundation were handed out. Many hunters took the opportunity to visit with the CPW officer about rules and regulation and possible situations that might result in a ticket for hunters if they were not informed properly.
The Grand County Shooting Sports Program educates youth from 8-18 in Grand County on the safety, proper handling and competition in shotgun, archery and 22 rifle disciplines. Range training and practice begins in the spring and runs through August. Kids learn to compete in target shooting while safely handling the equipment. The culmination of the year is for members to qualify for the state 4-H shoot held in late August.
This past year we had three members compete in the state archery contest in Pueblo. With the overwhelming response and gratitude for the welcome tent from county visitor we are looking to continue the partnership and offer it more than one Friday next year. If you have an interest in becoming involved as a participant or volunteer leader for the 4-H shooting sports program please contact the Grand County Extension Office in Kremmling at 970-724- 3436.
