Youth Shooting Sports aims to bring the joy of the outdoors and the rewards of safely learning to shoot to young Arkansans. Have you ever considered competing in the Olympics or a national shooting championship? This program from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission could be a start.
Youth Shooting Sports has two divisions: junior and senior. The junior division is for grades 5-8 and the senior division is for grades 9-12. Home-schooled students compete in the division they would be in if they were in public school. Home-schooled students 15 or older must compete in the senior division. Trap shooting is the sanctioned sport of Youth Shooting Sports. The season begins February 1.
Any type of shotgun action is allowed, as long as the bore is 12 or 20 gauge. Release triggers are not allowed. Trap machines that throw targets at unknown angles are used. The state coordinator may specify models of trap machines for Youth Shooting Sports events. All shooters and coaches must wear appropriate eye and ear protection.
All teams must be on the field and ready to compete 45 minutes prior to their scheduled time to compete. No ammunition is allowed on the AGFF shooting sports complex range grounds. Anyone caught having any ammunition on their person or vehicle will be grounds for disqualification of the team. Youth Shooting Sports will provide all competitors their needed ammunition once they take the competition line.
2024 Youth Shooting Sports Tournament Map
Team Terms
Each participant must be on a team. Teams commonly represent schools, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups and other organizations, although anyone may form a group. Each team must have a coach and must meet these requirements:
- A team must have at least five members.
- Teams shoot in squads of five members.
- A team may field as many squads as it can fill.
- Participants must take part in at least five team practices.
- Practices must be held on different days.
- Regional and state competitions do not count as practice.
- Each participant must shoot at least 25 targets at each practice.
- Each team must register with the Youth Shooting Sports state coordinator.
A shoot is a competition between at least two teams. A regional meet is a competition among shooting squads from a geographic area that are trying to qualify for the state championship.
Only registered Youth Shooting Sports participants are allowed to compete and practice. All teams must be registered by March 1. Only coaches may register teams. Click on the link below to register.
Click here to register online. First time users will enter their AGFC Coach ID Number and Last Name. Returning users will enter their Username and Password.
Team Support Packages
A shooting team may apply for an Youth Shooting Sports grant. A team must have at least five members and must practice at least five times. A grant will provide a basic team support package which includes:
- Targets
- Ammunition
- Protective glasses
- Ear protection
Coaches must be 21 to apply and must be certified by AGFC to participate in the program. Contact the YSS program coordinator to learn more. Program forms including Practice Log, Shotgun Checkout, Tournament Score Sheet, Trap Machine Checkout and Trap Machine Grant Application can be found under the Documents tab.
The Coach Application, Background Check and Volunteer Background Check Forms must be completed and mailed to the YSS Coordinator when applying for an YSS coach position. Be sure to have both background check forms notarized before their return. An Arkansas State Police background check will be run on every applicant who is not an active Hunter Education Instructor on file with the AGFC.
New Coach Training
Go to calendar tab above for YSS new coach certification training schedule dates.
Youth Shooting Sports Training Manual for Coaches
Active Coaches
Online Registration (certified coaches only)
Coach Forms
YSS Information
Liability Agreements
* Background Check forms must be notarized before return.
Program Forms
