SHOOTING SPORTS
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Important update to the Range and Target Activities
As of September 1, 2024 there will be updates to the Shooting Sports program in Scouting America. Please click here to see the latest update or visit the Guide to Safe Scouting.
Shooting Sports
Indian Nations Council offers shooting sports facilities to provide an exciting program experience for all Scouts. Range and Target Activities are among the most popular and safest program activities in camp. We have invested in top-notch equipment, first for your Scout’s safety and also for their advancement and fun.
The Indian Nations Council has a long-standing relationship with the National Rifle Association. Through the generous support of the NRA the Council has been able to upgrade, repair, and enhance our Shooting Sports program throughout. To date the NRA has gifted $84,158! Click here to see the 2024 awards for the Indian Nations Council!
Activities
Approved activities by the program are listed in the BSA National Shooting Sports Manual. The range chart below shows Cub Scout activities in blue, Scouts BSA activities in red, and Venture activities in green. Scouts BSA may pursue all Cub Scout activities and Ventures may engage in all Scouts BSA activities.
Cub Scout shooting sports programs may be conducted only on a district or council level. Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, council-managed family camping programs, or council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the pack level.
The Indian Nations Council has a long-standing relationship with the National Rifle Association. Through the generous support of the NRA the Council has been able to upgrade, repair, and enhance our Shooting Sports program throughout. To date the NRA has gifted $84,158! Click here to see the 2024 awards for the Indian Nations Council!
Leadership
Units and Districts supply their own properly credentialed range leadership for shooting sports activities. Leadership requirements for these activities are defined in the National Shooting Sports Manual available here. The Indian Nations Council shooting sports program is supported by the Council Shooting Sports Committee.
Leadership Training
Training for BSA Shooting Sports leadership is conducted using USA Archery, National Rifle Association, and Scouting America Cub Scout Rangemaster course curriculum coordinated through the INC Shooting Sports Committee. Upcoming shooting sports training courses can be found on the Council Calendar available here.
Cub Scout Shooting Sports Reminder
The Cub Scout Shooting Sports disciplines of Archery, BB gun shooting, and Slingshot shooting are restricted to Day Camps, Cub Scout / Webelos Scout Resident Camps, or Council activities held on or off Boy Scouts of America property where there are current and properly trained B.S.A. Shooting Sports Rangemasters and where all standards for Scouting America shooting sports are enforced.
Cub Scout Shooting Sports are NOT approved at the Unit level.
Tigers and their adult partners may participate in all Cub Scout Shooting Sports activities. The adult partners must be included in all shooting activities. Each Tiger must be paired with his or her adult partner before being allowed to shoot. On the BB range, the Rangemaster may require the adult partner to cock the BB gun for each shot.
In addition:
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Kindergarten–age scouts in the Lion program are not approved to participate in Cub Scout shooting sports activities.
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The use of pellet air rifles is restricted to Webelos Scouts in a Boy Scouts of America resident camp setting only.
Please direct question regarding this announcement to:
Larry Bahler, lbahler@cox.net
Chairman, Indian Nations Council Shooting Sports Committee
AGE APPROPRIATE SHOOTING SPORTS
Cub Scout Program
Cub Scout shooting sports programs may be conducted only on a district or council level. Archery and BB gun shooting are restricted to day camps, Cub Scout/Webelos Scout resident camps, council-managed family camping programs, or to council activities where there are properly trained supervisors and all standards for BSA shooting sports are enforced. Archery and BB gun shooting are not to be done at the pack level. The use of pellet air rifles is restricted to Webelos Scouts in a BSA resident camp setting only. All shooting ranges in the Cub Scout program must be supervised by a qualified range master who is at least 18 years of age and who meets the minimum requirements.
Scouts BSA and Varsity Scout Programs
Scouts BSA and Varsity Scouts can shoot small-bore rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, muzzleloading shotguns, and archery following the “Five Levels of Shooting Activities” described in Chapter 1 of the Scouting America National Shooting Sports Manual for the specific discipline.
Venturing and Sea Scout Programs
Venturers and Sea Scouts are allowed to shoot the same firearms and archery as a Scout BSA participant and may also shoot rifles, pistols, and revolvers of any caliber or action. An exception is they may not shoot fully automatic firearms. Refer to “The Five Levels of Shooting Activities” in Chapter 1 of the Scouting America National Shooting Sports Manual to better understand what qualifications must be met for Venturing and Sea Scouting.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Cub Scout BB and Archery Belt Loops and Sports Pins
Archery and BB Shooting belt loops and sports pins may be earned only through council- or district-sponsored programs. See BSA National Shooting Sports Manual.
Boy Scout Merit Badges
Venturing Shooting Sports Awards
BSA Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award
While working on the Ranger Shooting Sports elective, Venturers are required to complete one of the following disciplines: air pistol, air rifle, archery, muzzle-loading rifle, shotgun, or small bore rifle. However, Venturers who go beyond the basic requirement and complete five of the seven disciplines will earn the Venturing Shooting Sports Outstanding Achievement Award.
RESOURCES, DOCUMENTS & FORMS
Resources
Documents & Forms
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Procedures to Use Public or Private Property for a Shooting Sports Range
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WSSC Standard Operating Procedures (to be used with all activities at WSSC (unit or District Event)
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Guidelines for use of Cub Scout Ranges at Mabee Scout Reservation (used for DISTRICT/COUNCIL events)
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