Do you want to try your hand at sporting clays?  The youth of Bulloch and its surrounding counties have an upcoming opportunity to participate in this exciting and challenging event that is sure to be a hit.
    The National Wild Turkey Federation is sponsoring an outing that enables kids to shoot sporting clays and skeet along with other activities for a minimal cost. Youth seventeen and under are welcome at this event and the cost is minimal.
    The event will be held Feb. 26 beginning at 9 a.m. at the Baygall Sporting Clays and Hunting Preserve in Rocky Ford. The facility is located off Highway 25 between Statesboro and Millen. If coming from Statesboro, turn right onto Rocky Ford Road. The range is located 3.2 miles from there on the right.
    For an all-inclusive fee of $10 they can have a day of fun whether they are experienced or beginning shooters. That $10 includes ammunition, sporting clays, skeet shooting and an annual membership with the National Wild Turkey Federation JAKES organization. If you are already a member of JAKES the event is free. No pre-registration is required for the event.
    If you are new to this sport there is a free clinic beginning at 9 a.m. that promotes and educates newcomers on safety and protocols to be used. The clinic will stress the importance of a safety-first philosophy. A parent, guardian, or youth shooting coach is required with each group participating to insure that these guidelines are followed throughout the day. If you are already a coach or member of a youth shooting team you are invited to bring your team and be treated to one hundred sporting clays.
    For more information you can contact Ken Daniels at (912) 536-8419 or Greg Finch at (912) 536-4793.
    Daniels, in addition to being the driving force behind the upcoming Youth Shoot, is the local 4-H Shotgun Volunteer Coordinator and plays a key role in that organization’s Project SAFE (Shooting, Awareness, Fun and Education). That program, according to 4-H County Extension Agent Lee Anna Deal, is “Designed to build confidence, concentration and focus in developing life skills, being part of a team and sharing successes and failures with peers”. 
    Bulloch County’s Project SAFE shotgun team had over fifty members in 2010 and the squad’s dedication has paid some recent dividends. At the State Modified Trap Shotgun match Bulloch County 4-H had the state champion junior team. The team was comprised of Jake Whitaker, Logan Hendrix, Mitchell Ball, Tyler Collins, Preston Bohler, Logan Plymel, and Davis Duggan.  Two of those team members were also named as high individual junior shooters in the state. Logan Hendrix, was named as the high individual junior and Jake Whitaker was second in that competition. Both boys are eighth graders and attend Southeast Bulloch Middle School. Garrett Hodges, a senior at Portal High School had the opportunity to shoot at the state 4-H Invitational Match and was the overall high shooter at that match.
    At the State Trap and Skeet Match Walker Blitch, a junior at Bulloch Academy, was named the overall senior high individual. Walker became a Master 4-H’er by winning this competition and will be honored at the state 4-H Congress in Atlanta this July. Bulloch County also took second place with their junior team in this competition. 
    The Wild Turkey Federation event and the 4-H shooting groups are two wonderful opportunities to get kids involved in programs that may turn into activities they can enjoy for a lifetime. Ken Daniels places a great emphasis on programs of this kind and puts in many hours with these youngsters. Daniel’s says about these activities, “It is heartwarming to see these kids celebrate one another’s success and share each others shortcomings. Many life skills developed in shooting sports carry over into other areas of life. At school or work young people who have been through our program say shooting sports help them build confidence and provide them with the skills they need to concentrate and focus.” 
    As is the case with many programs the success depends on volunteers, coaches and parents. If you are interested in helping out, contact Deal or Daniels for ways you can contribute.
    Come out and join the fun. Get a kid hooked on outdoor sports.