*To Inquire about joining or starting a project in your area, use the contact Montana form at the bottom of the page.*
2021 Montana 4-H Western Heritage State Shoot
The 2021 Montana 4-H Western Heritage State Shoot will take place on August 20-21, 2021 in Simms, MT. Free dry camping is available at the range in Simms (no water or electric. No fires) and hotels are available in Great Falls or other locations. The schedule for the event is as follows:
Friday, August 20th:
The competition begins with interviews and history test on Friday evening and continues on Saturday with a mandatory safety meeting at 9:00 a.m. and the shooting competition at 9:15 a.m. We will shoot five stages and complete the awards program shortly afterward. Depending on enrollment, the award ceremony may be earlier than 4:00 p.m.
Registration and the interview score sheet are available below. Please note that the test questions will be related to the 4-H Western Heritage curriculum including clothing, rules, and firearm history.
Friday, August 20th:
- 4:30-8:30 PM - Interview Times and Test (travel distance is considered for time slots)
- 9:00 AM - Mandatory Safety Meeting
- 9:15 AM - Shooting Begins
- 12:00 PM - Lunch
- 4:00 PM - Awards
The competition begins with interviews and history test on Friday evening and continues on Saturday with a mandatory safety meeting at 9:00 a.m. and the shooting competition at 9:15 a.m. We will shoot five stages and complete the awards program shortly afterward. Depending on enrollment, the award ceremony may be earlier than 4:00 p.m.
Registration and the interview score sheet are available below. Please note that the test questions will be related to the 4-H Western Heritage curriculum including clothing, rules, and firearm history.
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2017 Montana 4-H Western Heritage Results
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2014
4-Her's From Around the Country Compete at the 1st Annual 4-H Western Heritage Project Shoot

J. J. Stark shoots his way to the top in the Central Fire Category in both Montana and Nationals. J. J. had 3 perfect stations, with no misses and getting the bonus.

Sam Kesner from Gallatin County patiently waits to shoot his rifle and shotgun in one of the stages. He ends up taking 1st place in the Montana Championship for the Desperado Division.

Eithan Wimmer also finishes with a gold medal in the Montana and Nationals Championship in the Rifleman Division.

These four Montana ladies not only dress in the 1860's era fashion, but also compete in championship divisions. All had a very successful and fun day at the range.

Brenden Medcalf and Kyle Gann from Missouri created a new category this year called the Outlaws. This is a Division for 12 - 13 year olds who shoot rifle and shotgun.
The Full Story
Sara HutchesThe 1st Annual 4-H Western Heritage Project Championship shoot led many 4-Her's to championships, best of the best, and just having fun. 34 Montana and 19 Missouri shooters battled it out in six categories for Nationals. Using skills in speed, accuracy and knowledge 4-Her's competed in Virginia City on August 2, 2014.
The 4-H Western Heritage Project originated in Montana, beginning with only 5 members and now the project has grown in six states. This project combines shooting sports and historical studies of the American frontier from 1800 - 1900. To compete in the championship match, 4-H members must shoot Old West era firearms, participate in a judged clothing evaluation interview, and take a history test. The shooting portion is timed with penalties added for misses and engaging the targets out of order (called a procedural). The fastest time, after penalties and subtracting bonus points for the clothing interview and test score, wins the championship.
J. J. Stark from Eureka, Montana proudly earned first place in the Central Fire Division bringing home 2 engraved pocket watches. Logan Sappington from Missouri closely followed J. J. gaining the silver medal. Barry Francis from Gallatin County, MT also had a successful day; not only placing in 3rd for Nationals and 2nd for Montana, he received 3rd place for the Clothing interviews and had one of the highest scores on the history test. Allyson Parks from Missouri placed 4th in Central Fire after placing 1st with a score of 88 on the clothing interview.
In the Rim fire division, Austin Pate grabs the National Championship pocket watch with only 3 misses of the day. Josiah Tomaszewski takes home the silver medal with no misses for the day and tying in best attitude with his sister Abby. Nichole Gann of Missouri places with the bronze medal and the best hat award. Wyatt Flippin places in fourth and also wins the Ruger Vaquero Single Action revolver.
The Gallatin County, MT ladies wrapped up the Renegade Division (no shotgun) with Lauren Kesner in first place and Abby Tomaszewski and Kira Meredith placing in second and third respectively.
Other notable accomplishments towards the bonus history test with six 4-Hers receiving high scores of 20 out of 21, Brody Ireland, Zack Barr, Barry Francis, and Kirtland Briscoe from Montana and Matt Bronk and Luke Overland from Missouri.
In the clothing interviews, Natalie Abbot from Montana places in second and Matt Bronk from Missouri places in fourth.
Other awards go to Brayden Medcalf for no misses of the day, and Jessica Doty with the most misses of 22. Kwin Briscoe received the hardest ride award because things didn't go so smoothly. And Joe Barber received the loneliest cowboy award for looking the roughest and the toughest. Zack Barr from Gallatin County won the best hat award and his sister Brianna won the Best dressed lady for the second year in a row.
Congratulations to all participants in the 2014 4-H Western Heritage Project Championship! Please join us next year in Missouri for the 2015 championship.
Complete scores and information about starting a project in your county can be found at:
www.4-hwesternheritageproject.org.
The 4-H Western Heritage Project originated in Montana, beginning with only 5 members and now the project has grown in six states. This project combines shooting sports and historical studies of the American frontier from 1800 - 1900. To compete in the championship match, 4-H members must shoot Old West era firearms, participate in a judged clothing evaluation interview, and take a history test. The shooting portion is timed with penalties added for misses and engaging the targets out of order (called a procedural). The fastest time, after penalties and subtracting bonus points for the clothing interview and test score, wins the championship.
J. J. Stark from Eureka, Montana proudly earned first place in the Central Fire Division bringing home 2 engraved pocket watches. Logan Sappington from Missouri closely followed J. J. gaining the silver medal. Barry Francis from Gallatin County, MT also had a successful day; not only placing in 3rd for Nationals and 2nd for Montana, he received 3rd place for the Clothing interviews and had one of the highest scores on the history test. Allyson Parks from Missouri placed 4th in Central Fire after placing 1st with a score of 88 on the clothing interview.
In the Rim fire division, Austin Pate grabs the National Championship pocket watch with only 3 misses of the day. Josiah Tomaszewski takes home the silver medal with no misses for the day and tying in best attitude with his sister Abby. Nichole Gann of Missouri places with the bronze medal and the best hat award. Wyatt Flippin places in fourth and also wins the Ruger Vaquero Single Action revolver.
The Gallatin County, MT ladies wrapped up the Renegade Division (no shotgun) with Lauren Kesner in first place and Abby Tomaszewski and Kira Meredith placing in second and third respectively.
Other notable accomplishments towards the bonus history test with six 4-Hers receiving high scores of 20 out of 21, Brody Ireland, Zack Barr, Barry Francis, and Kirtland Briscoe from Montana and Matt Bronk and Luke Overland from Missouri.
In the clothing interviews, Natalie Abbot from Montana places in second and Matt Bronk from Missouri places in fourth.
Other awards go to Brayden Medcalf for no misses of the day, and Jessica Doty with the most misses of 22. Kwin Briscoe received the hardest ride award because things didn't go so smoothly. And Joe Barber received the loneliest cowboy award for looking the roughest and the toughest. Zack Barr from Gallatin County won the best hat award and his sister Brianna won the Best dressed lady for the second year in a row.
Congratulations to all participants in the 2014 4-H Western Heritage Project Championship! Please join us next year in Missouri for the 2015 championship.
Complete scores and information about starting a project in your county can be found at:
www.4-hwesternheritageproject.org.