4-H Western Heritage & Cowboy shooting overview

1. 4-H Western Heritage & Cowboy shootingoverview

2. Goals • Preserve and gain an appreciation for the heritage of the Old West within the time period of 1860-1900. • Instill in 4-Hers an investigative interest in history that will lead to personal research and increased knowledge of the Old West. • Encourage “Living History” through use of historically accurate firearms, clothing, and accessories. • Provide an action-oriented shooting sports activity within the western heritage context.

3. Dual Emphasis • Western Heritage and Cowboy Action Shooting Shooting Ideally, a seamless activity

4. Project Requirements • 11-18 years of age (no handguns for 11-13 yrs.) • Complete Shooting Sports Safety requirement • Completed at least 1 year in 4-H rifle, pistol, or shotgun project.* • Demonstrate ability to safely handle firearms throughout the course. • Written parental permission for “handgun.” *Waived in special circumstances at leaders discretion.

5. Spirit of the Game: “That members fully participate in what the project asks.”

6. I. Western Heritage • 1860-1900 time period • Exclude Civil War • Area west of Mississippi River • Not just “cowboys” • Period correct/ historically accurate

7. Historyof the Old West Revolver From the D. Cappa Family on display at the Frontier Montana Museum, Powell County Museum & Arts Foundation, Inc., Deer Lodge, Montana. Will Abbot photo. 1872 Open Top Colt Gallatin Historical Society Pioneer Museum, Bozeman, Montana. Will Abbot Photo 1849 Pocket Model Colt

8. Rifles of the Old West

9. Old West Shotguns

10. Holsters & Gun Leather

11. Hats, Boots & Chaps

12. Period Clothing

13. II. Cowboy Action Shooting • Alias – your “old west name” • Period firearms -rifle, revolver & shotgun ( rifle & shotgun for 11-13 yrs.) • Rimfire or “cowboy” big bore • Rifles in a pistol cartridge • Reduced loads • Guns are “staged”

14. Targets – • Scored - hit or miss • usually steel –never ‘humanoid” X • Western props – if available • Timed event –time penalty for misses (added)

15. In order to reduce financial barriers, the rules for firearms, clothing, and equipment are not nearly as restrictive as other Cowboy Shooting organizations. Historically correct firearms and attire is strongly encouraged, but not at the expense of eliminating participation. As 4-H members progress in this project, their goal should be to accumulate these items a little at a time as they learn more about the cowboy era through participation and personal research.

16. “Cowboy” Outfit Guidelines • Pants – jeans, other cotton, wool, canvas or buckskin pants of traditional styling. • Shirts – Button down, or “long john” type pullover shirts. Long-sleeve. No t-shirts. • Jackets, coats, dusters of canvas, leather, or denim are permitted. Same for vests. • Boots – western style, either laced or slip-on preferred, but hunting or work boots are acceptable. More leather the better. • Hats – western cowboy hats, bowlers, civil war style caps, or sombreros required. No baseball type caps. • No camo!

17. MO 4-H State Event Three Components to the State Competition • Cowboy Shooting • Rimfire • Center-fire • Period Clothing • Western Knowledge Quiz