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Youth Shooting Sports (YSS)

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About

Youth Shooting Sports aims to bring the joy of the outdoors and the rewards of safely learning to shoot to young Arkansans. Have you ever considered competing in the Olympics or a national shooting championship? This program from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission could be a start.

Youth Shooting Sports has two divisions: junior and senior. The junior division is for grades 5-8 and the senior division is for grades 9-12. Home-schooled students compete in the division they would be in if they were in public school. Home-schooled students 15 or older must compete in the senior division. Trap shooting is the sanctioned sport of Youth Shooting Sports. The season begins February 1.

Any type of shotgun action is allowed, as long as the bore is 12 or 20 gauge. Release triggers and exposed hammers are not allowed. Trap machines that throw targets at unknown angles are used. The state coordinator may specify models of trap machines for Youth Shooting Sports events. All shooters and coaches must wear appropriate eye and ear protection.

2026 Regional and State Tournament Info

All teams must be on the field and ready to compete 45 minutes prior to their scheduled time to compete. No ammunition is allowed on the AGFF shooting sports complex range grounds during YSS tournaments. Anyone caught having any ammunition on their person or vehicle will be grounds for disqualification of the team. Youth Shooting Sports will provide all competitors their needed ammunition once they take the competition line.

2026 State Tournament Dates

May 29, 2026 for Juniors
May 30, 2026 for Seniors

Supply Pickup: Feb. 6-7, 2026

2026 Youth Shooting Sports Regional Map

2026 Tournament Dates:

May 15, 2026 for Juniors
May 16, 2026 for Seniors

2026 Tournament Dates:

April 24, 2026 for Juniors
April 25, 2026 for Seniors

2026 Tournament Dates:

May 1, 2026 for Juniors
May 2, 2026 for Seniors

2026 Tournament Dates:

May 8, 2026 for Juniors
May 9, 2026 for Seniors

Team Terms

Each participant must be on a team. Teams commonly represent schools, 4-H Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups and other organizations, although anyone may form a group. Each team must have a coach and must meet these requirements:

A team must have at least five members.
Teams shoot in squads of five members.
A team may field as many squads as it can fill.
Participants must take part in at least five team practices.
Practices must be held on different days.
Regional and state competitions do not count as practice.
Each participant must shoot at least 25 targets at each practice.
Each team must register with the Youth Shooting Sports state coordinator.

A shoot is a competition between at least two teams. A regional meet is a competition among shooting squads from a geographic area that are trying to qualify for the state championship.

Only registered Youth Shooting Sports participants are allowed to compete and practice. All teams must be registered by March 1. Only coaches may register teams. Click on the link below to register.

Registration is available online. First time users will enter their AGFC Coach ID Number and Last Name. Returning users will enter their Username and Password.

Team Support Packages

A shooting team may apply for an Youth Shooting Sports grant. A team must have at least five members and must practice at least five times. A grant will provide a basic team support package which includes:

Targets
Ammunition
Protective glasses
Ear protection

This grant is for new teams who have not been active in the YSS system for at least three years (2025, 2024, 2023). We are offering a New Team Grant to help teams with their training needs.

The Grant will be for:
A New Promatic Matrix ATA Thrower with Voice Release.

If awarded a grant, the team must send a coach to the NRA Level 1 Coach School which is currently scheduled for February 7-8, 2026.

Failure to complete the form in its entirety will result in your application being not scored.

Deadline for submission is October 31, 2025.

Click here to start your grant application.

Changes to the grant may be made by Arkansas Game & Fish or the YSS Program due to supply or cost issues due to unseen changes or other issues if needed.

Grants are also available for established teams who have been active in the YSS system for at least three years. You will only be able to apply one time during the application period. Once the application is submitted, changes cannot be made.

Options for the Sustainment Grant are as follows:

1) New Promatic Matrix ATA Thrower with Voice Release

2) Dry Fire Training System
You must provide your own computer for this system. With this system, your whole squad can shoot a round using lasers while saving costly ammunition. Training will be provided by the manufacturer through video links.

3) ShotTracker from Take Aim Technologies
You must provide your own interface device (cell phone). An excellent tool to show shooters exactly what is happening with their shot. This is an AI-based system that has lots of growth coming in the near future. Training will be provided by the manufacturer through video links.

Options may not be combined or changed. The options listed are the only training materials being offered in this grant cycle.

If awarded a grant, the team must send a coach to the NRA Level 1 Coach School which is currently scheduled for February 7-8, 2026.

Failure to complete the form in its entirety will result in your application being not scored.

Deadline for submission is October 31, 2025.

Click here to start your grant application.

Changes to the grant may be made by Arkansas Game & Fish or the YSS Program due to supply or cost issues due to unseen changes or other issues if needed.