DOUGLAS — Continuous gunfire, black smoke and yells of “pull” filled the air.
More than 600 4-H kids ages 8-18 converged at the shooting range in Douglas this past week to compete in the Wyoming State Shoot, the state competition for shooting sports. From archery to shotgun, competitors prove their mettle against 4-H’ers from across the state.
“They’ve been working so hard at the local level with weekly practices and instruction that it’s great to give our 4-H’ers a chance to compete on the state level and see where they stand,” said University of Wyoming Youth Development Educator Dawn Peil.
She said that it gives kids a chance to compete and figure out what they need to work on and set goals for the following year.
Preparing For The Ultimate Wyoming Shootout
Before competing at the Wyoming State Shoot, 4-H shooting sport participants practice with their local clubs where they learn the fundamentals of shooting.
“Basically, at the beginning of the year, they decide what disciplines that they want to shoot for,” Peil said. “We have safety meetings and have certified shooting sports leaders that have expertise in each area, and kids learn from them at weekly practices.”
Brandon Blakesley of Hot Springs County became one of the certified shooting instructors after his son, Colton, became involved in the shooting sports.
He said that since he was helping out already, he should at least make it official and has enjoyed watching his son’s skills grow.
“He's got to meet different people,” Blakesley said. “He's improved his shooting skills immensely and it's teaching them leadership skills because he is helping out the younger kids.”
By competing in Wyoming State Shoot, senior 4-H’ers, 14 and older, can qualify for the national shoot.
Kelly Osborne of Fremont County has been helping out as a range commander for nearly 30 years and has enjoyed watching the program continue to develop.
“They do things a little bit different down at nationals,” he said. “You can only shoot in one discipline but here in Wyoming they can shoot all the events that they can get it to.”
Hundreds of 4-H’ers, representing nearly every county in the Cowboy State, competed in .22 rifle Friday and Saturday during the annual Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas, Wyoming. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
Hundreds of 4-H’ers, representing nearly every county in the Cowboy State, competed in .22 rifle Friday and Saturday during the annual Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas, Wyoming. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
The .22 pistol range in Douglas, Wyoming was set up specifically for Wyoming 4-H kids competing in the annual Wyoming State Shoot. 4-H’ers ranging in age from 8 to 18 years old. (Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily) 
Wyoming 4-H kids compete in archery at the 2025 Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas, Wyoming on July 9 – 11. Over 600 kids from nearly every county are entered as either Junior, Intermediate or Senior. The top Seniors will then have the opportunity to compete at the National Shoot. (Courtesy Linda McCumber) 
Wyoming 4-H kids compete in archery at the 2025 Wyoming State Shoot in Douglas, Wyoming on July 9 – 11. Over 600 kids from nearly every county are entered as either Junior, Intermediate or Senior. The top Seniors will then have the opportunity to compete at the National Shoot. (Courtesy Linda McCumber) 
(Jackie Dorothy, Cowboy State Daily)
Generations Of Shooters
As the competition winds down at the Wyoming State Shoot, coaches and competitors are already talking about what they can do at their home ranges to improve their skills for next year. Some say that when they first came, they did it because their parents made them and then they discovered that they actually enjoyed the shooting sports.
For Morgan Blakesley, 11, she was afraid of shotguns when she first tried to shoot and it kicked back. However, now that she has been in the shooting sports she said she likes it.
“Anybody between 8 and 18 can do shooting sports,” Peil said. “We've had kids that have never participated in any kind of shooting sports and if they find it something that hits their spark and it's something they're interested in, I've seen a lot of those kids move from very entry level up to contenders at the state level.”
The shooting sports are not just for the kids, either.
Brad Erickson from Park County said that he has also learned a lot since joining 4-H as a volunteer.
“I thought I knew what I was doing, and I found out I did not, even as an adult,” Erickson said. “I shot my whole life, but when I started doing 4-H as a leader and volunteer, I found out I didn't know very much.”
For Osbourne, it is exciting to see a new generation starting to compete this year. He has two grandkids who are competing for the first time this year and he is pleased to see how excited they are.
“For 28 years I've been coming down here, and I've been running the 22 range for about 10,” he said. “As long as I'm healthy, I will be down there. There's a lot of guys me who really love this time and of year and enjoy helping these kids.”
Jackie Dorothy can be reached at jackie@cowboystatedaily.com.
