Learn to Shoot
Shooting sports promote concentration and focus and have been shown to increase self-esteem, particularly in young participants. Learn how you can get involved in this fun, safe and unique activity.
Archery and shooting sports opportunities
Nebraska Game and Parks and 4-H both offer classes, workshops and camps for young shooters interested in learning more about archery and other shooting sports.
JOAD is a nationwide program of USA Archery that provides youth, ages 8-20. Ongoing archery instruction helps them progress from beginner to advanced level archery students while they learn at their own pace.
4-H Shooting Sports teach youth the fundamentals of safe gun handling under the guidance of knowledgeable and caring adult volunteers. All 4-H programs are created to help youth build self worth and become responsible, productive citizens. Project choices in the shooting sports program include archery, shotgun, air rifle/BB gun, smallbore rifle, air pistol, smallbore pistol, muzzleloading, and hunting and outdoor skills.
The annual Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational is the longest-running organized youth shooting event in Nebraska. The event is held each September at Pressey Wildlife Management Area. This free competition is open to all youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed Hunter Education and who have not yet graduated from high school. For more information, call Matthew Haumont at 308-872-2348.
Explore Archery is perfect for youth, ages 8 and up, looking to learn the basics of archery. Held quarterly at the Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center, students learn fundamentals, range safety and proper shooting form. In addition, students play exciting games and earn achievement awards. Equipment is provided.
The Cornhusker Trap Shooting Program provides high school, junior high and 6th-grade students the opportunity to participate in the Annual Cornhusker High School and Junior High School Trap Shoot. The Cornhusker Trap Shoot is open to all shooters nationwide grades 6-12 who have completed a hunter education course.
Shooting sports facilities
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers several family-friendly shooting ranges across the state for all ages and skill levels. These ranges offer beginners safe, fun places to learn the basics of archery, shotgun shooting and more under the guidance of trained experts. Shooters will appreciate state-of-the-art facilities, classes, workshops, competitions and more.
The Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex features all-weather ranges for pellet gun, archery, muzzleloader, .22 rifle, shotgun, tomahawk, atlatl and slingshot. Visitors are welcome to bring their own archery equipment to the 3-D archery range. No outside firearms or pellet guns/BB guns are permitted at this educational shooting complex. Firearms will be provided by Ponca State Park during scheduled shooting sports programs. Contact Ponca State Park for the latest schedule of events at 402-755-2284.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Education Center is located in Lincoln. It features a 32-lane, 30-yard indoor archery range, a 10-lane, 25-yard indoor firearm range. The property also features an outdoor archery target range, broadhead range and 3D range. This family-friendly center provides educational programming for new and experienced shooters as well as a destination park for recreational shooting.
The Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex is a family-friendly shooting sports complex located at Platte River State Park near Louisville. This center features an outdoor archery range with a shooting tower, small-bore rifle range, a trap range and an indoor pellet gun shooting gallery. All are welcome, regardless of age, ability or skill level.
The Wildcat Hills Shooting Sports Complex is a family-friendly shooting sports education center located in Scottsbluff. The center features archery, small bore, indoor pellet gun shooting gallery, shotgun and rifle ranges.
Firearm and archery ranges
In addition to the firearm and archery ranges at the shooting complexes mentioned above, there are many standalone ranges across the state.
Shooting sports organizations
Shooting sports organizations enable hunters and shooters to find trainings, sanctioned shootings sports events, classes and competitions, and much more.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation aims to help people enjoy shooting sports through partnership, collaboration and industry representation.
Bowhunters United is dedicated to helping archers of all levels improve their skills. This organization offers insights on shooting techniques, hunting tactics, gear and much more on its website.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an in-school archery program that aims to improve educational performance among students in grades 4-12. Through practice and competition, students learn focus, self-control, discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in the classroom and in life.
The Scholastic 3D Archery (S3DA) Program provides archery and bowhunting opportunities to young people in after-school settings, as well as archery-affiliated clubs and businesses in the community.
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