What the State 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational Is
The Tennessee 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational is the state qualifier for the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships. Senior 4-H shooters who earned a place at the Spring Jamboree compete in individual disciplines at the Crossville Shooting Sports Park, and the top four finishers in each discipline become eligible to represent Tennessee at Nationals in Grand Island, Nebraska, in June 2027. The most recent invitational ran July 31 to August 1, 2026.
Disciplines, Dates and Fees
| Discipline | 2026 date | Check-in | Entry fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Rifle | July 31 | 8:00 a.m. (equipment check 8:30 a.m.) | $20 |
| Shotgun | August 1 | 8:00 a.m. (participant and coach meeting 8:45 a.m.) | $55 |
| Smallbore Rifle | August 1 | 9:00 a.m. at the clubhouse (meeting 9:30 a.m.) | $20 |
Archery is also part of the state program at the same $20 entry fee. Competitors may shoot only one discipline per day.
Who Can Enter
- Only athletes who qualified at the Spring Jamboree.
- Active 4-H Shooting Sports members under a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor.
- Students enrolled in 9th through 12th grade this fall, or who graduated the past May. There is one age class, Senior.
- To go on to Nationals, an athlete must be 14 to 18 on January 1, 2027. Athletes who graduate on or before December 31, 2026 are not eligible for Nationals, and an athlete may compete at Nationals in a given discipline only once.
- A Champions Division exists in each discipline for athletes who have already competed at Nationals.
How It Works: The Timeline
- Qualify at the Spring Jamboree.
- Register by July 17, 2026 through the county Extension office, with the entry fee. The deadline allows no extensions, and counties may set earlier deadlines.
- Shoot on your discipline's day. Check in, pass equipment inspection, and attend the participant and coach meeting before the first shot.
- Awards the same day. Results are posted after scores are calculated and awards are presented in person.
The Courses of Fire
- Air Rifle: 3-Position (3 x 10 shots kneeling, prone and standing, 30 record shots) and 20-shot Standing at 10 meters, plus metal silhouettes (chicken, pig, turkey and ram) at 20, 30, 36 and 45 yards. Silhouettes are required but did not count toward 2026 qualifying. Awards are based on adding each athlete's daily event ranks, lowest total winning.
- Shotgun: 50 targets each of ATA Trap, American Skeet and Sporting Clays, with the highest combined score winning. Use a 12 gauge or smaller with factory ammunition only (no reloads), and bring your own ammunition.
- Smallbore Rifle: 60 record shots on the B-19 CMP Rimfire Sporter target: prone, sitting or kneeling at 50 yards, and standing at 25 yards, each with 10 slow-fire and 10 rapid-fire shots.
Safety and Conduct
Eye protection is required for all rifle and shotgun competitors, and electronic or corded hearing protection is not allowed. Shoes must fully cover the foot. Alcohol is prohibited on the grounds and there is no smoking near the firing lines. Each county needs health consent and release forms (600A, 600B or 600C) for every athlete and adult supervisor, and an adult supervisor must be on site. Counties bring their own certified instructor to serve as range safety officer.
Awards and Protests
Awards go to top individuals in each discipline. Athletes may challenge their own scores for $1 per hole within 30 minutes of posting. Written protests to the Discipline Superintendent cost $25 in cash and must be filed within 30 minutes of the incident.
Where
Crossville Shooting Sports Park, Crossville, Tennessee. Registration and questions go through your county UT Extension office. Forms are posted on the Tennessee 4-H forms and materials page.
Questions
Can I enter without going to the Spring Jamboree?
No. Only athletes who qualified at the Spring Jamboree may enter.
Can I shoot two disciplines in one day?
No. Athletes may compete in only one discipline per day.
Do all winners go to Nationals?
The top four individuals in each discipline are eligible, but not every competitor may meet the national age and graduation rules.
Official Links
- Air Rifle Invitational 2026: rules, schedule and fees
- Shotgun Invitational 2026: rules, schedule and fees
- Smallbore Invitational 2026: rules, schedule and fees
- State 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational: past results and national path
- Tennessee 4-H competitive events: 2026 invitational dates
Tennessee UT and TSU Extension: The Essentials
Tennessee Extension has an office in each of the state's 95 counties, grouped into Eastern, Central and Western regions, per the County Connections guide.
What it offers
Programs cover agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development and community economic development. Services include Master Gardener and pesticide safety education.
4-H and livestock
UT Extension runs the state junior livestock shows, and entries go through the county office, per the youth livestock page. Exhibitors need TYQA certification.
TSU Extension
Tennessee State University runs the Tennessee New Farmer Academy, a seven-month certificate program, per its Extension page.
Next steps
Call your county Extension office before you buy an animal, plant a crop or start a project.
Structure
Each county office is led by a County Extension Director who reports to a regional director. Regional offices are in Knoxville, Nashville and Jackson.
Youth programs
Tennessee 4-H builds skills through clubs, camps and afterschool programs under the motto "Learn by Doing."
Dates and rules change each year, so confirm details with your county Extension office or advisor.
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Tennessee 4-H Target Smart
Statewide 4-H shooting sports training week held in Crossville; held each year, most recently May 25-29, 2026.
- Cumberland County Fair
Cumberland County Fair in Crossville, held August 17-22, 2026, with 4-H, livestock and community exhibits at the county fairgrounds.
Crossville, TN Official event details - Middle Tennessee Hereford Association Fall Sale
Breeders and buyers meet in Cross Plains for the Middle Tennessee Hereford Association Fall Sale, dated November 21, 2026.
Cross Plains, TN Official event details - Farmington Angus Bull and Female Sale
Farmington Angus Bull and Female Sale is a Tennessee cattle sale in Normandy, set for November 21, 2026.
Normandy, TN Official event details - BOPAT Fall Bull Sale
Cattle buyers head to Bradford for the BOPAT Fall Bull Sale, scheduled for November 28, 2026.
Bradford, TN Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.