Changes to 4-H State Championship Rules for 2020
There are several revisions for Archery and Shotgun at the State Competition this summer, as well as a clarification for .22 Pistol eligibility. Other discussion topics brought to the State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee for proposed rule book changes in other disciplines are still under consideration.
The current Colorado State 4-H Rule Book will still be in effect for the 2020 4-H year with exception of these minor adjustments. The Colorado State 4-H Shooting Sports Championships Rule Book will be revised over the next several months and the updated version will be effective for the 2021 4-H year beginning in October 2020.
A PDF of the addendum is available here.
The addendum items listed will be in effect for the 2020 Colorado State 4-H Shooting Sports Championships on a trial basis for the Colorado State 4-H Championships to be held August 22–23, 2020 and September 5–6, 2020.
Revisions
Archery
Scorecards:
A new simplified Orion scorecard template will be used for the archery contest. Please follow this link for a printable example.
Poundage Checks:
Bow poundage checks will be conducted prior to the participants beginning the contest.
Adjustments to bow poundage may not be made after the bow poundage has been verified by range officials.
Random bow poundage checks of squadded groups will be conducted after participants start the contest.
Binoculars & Range Finding Equipment:
Binoculars will be allowed for participant and spectator use on both FITA and 3D ranges.
Absolutely NO range finders or modified range-finding equipment (mechanical or electronic) of any kind are allowed on the FITA and 3D ranges. This applies to both participants and spectators.
Use of monocular optics by participants or spectators is not allowed.
Random binocular checks of squadded groups will be conducted after participants start the contest.
Participants may not glass targets from the firing line after taking their final shot for that stage.
In consideration of time limitations per station, participants will move through their courses of fire expeditiously to avoid delays.
Equipment Malfunctions:
Equipment malfunctions must be addressed at the time of the incident. It is the participant’s responsibility to notify the range officer of the malfunction.
In the event of an equipment malfunction, step back from the shooting line and raise your hand above your head. A line official will come to your assistance. The archer will have a maximum of 15 minutes of repair time without holding up the shoot. One practice end will be allowed if malfunction deems necessary. The archer shall be allowed to shoot any remaining arrows left in the end that elapsed during the 15 minutes of repair time. This is a one-time option. All make-up arrows will be shot at the end of the round or at officials’ discretion. There will be no allowance for equipment failure given for arrows shot before or after said malfunction (arrows shot are arrows scored).
3D:
Juniors will shoot at 4 (four) 3D targets. Junior participants will shoot 2 arrows at each 3D target for a total of 8 shots in the 3D portion of the contest.
Shotgun
Trap Scheduling: (The following information is for Trap only)
You will register teams in 4HOnline as you have in the past. All members of a County team must be entered in the same time slot. Shoot management may adjust registered participant time slots as needed.
Counties cannot squad both Junior and Senior teams on the same field at the same time. You can do back-to-back on the same field or the same time on different fields.
Trap Contest:
Teams will report to the scheduled trap field no less than one hour before registered time. Times are an estimation not an appointment and teams not ready when fields are open within 1 hour of their start time will be skipped with no time guarantee of time the rest of day.
There will be two teams per field per time slot. Team A and Team B.
Shooting order is as follows; Team A will shoot one round of 25. Immediately following Team B will shoot their round. Immediately following that Team A will finish their second round of 25, and Team B will wrap up after that.
Teams A and B will supply their own puller and a Certified 4-H leader to score the other team.
There is to be no downtime between rounds.
Field clean-up happens after Team B shoots their last shot of the second round.
The signing of scorecards is to happen at the end of clean-up. Team A’s scorecard will be held until clean-up and signing of cards is complete.
.22 Pistol
Member Eligibility:
Please note the following addendum item and update to the Colorado 4-H Youth Development Policies and State 4-H Shooting Sports Championships Rulebook regarding .22 Pistol eligibility.
Members must have completed at least one project year of 4-H Shooting Sports that includes live-fire range experience with a firearm or air gun.
Benefits
Benefits of these adjustments to the Archery contest
Scorecards will be easier for participants to use.
Youth will have an opportunity to verify and adjust bow poundage prior to starting the contest.
Participants will have the benefit of seeing the target through optics if desired.
A pre-determined protocol for addressing equipment malfunctions will result in more consistency throughout the contest.
Juniors shooting 2 shots at 4 (four) 3D targets will allow youth to make aiming adjustments after the first arrow. This will also allow for fewer trips down range to retrieve arrows and thus save time.
Benefits of these adjustments to the Trap contest
Every team will get a qualified scorekeeper (Certified) and puller (team coach).
The process should be more streamlined by having coaches on the line.
The hassle and delay of finding teams, shooters & range officials will be kept to a minimum.
With a quick turnaround between squads we have fewer delays as well as one field cleaning time resulting in less time lost.
Reminder about Violation of Contest Rules
Violations of contest rules including 2020 addendum items may result in forfeiture of scorecards and disqualification of the competitor from the event. Leaders, coaches, and spectators who violate the contest rules may be asked to leave the event. All determinations regarding rule violations will be addressed by designated contest superintendents.