Local shooters on target at state 4-H meet

Shooting sports have become popular in Minnesota. In fact, they’ve become the No. 1 fastest-growing sport of all. The Callens family of Minneota is no stranger to guns, or bows and arrows, tomahawks and the sort.

Recently, the Callens family, including 15-year-old Kaci, took to the range in the Minnesota 4-H State Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational at Alexandria. When it was over, Kaci and a nice group of Minneota shooters came home with high honors. Kaci Callens captured the Intermediate Two Hands Air Pistol event.

On top of that, she also was 12th in the .22 rifle intermediate target category. In addition, Julia Callens was seventh in intermediate BB shooting.

There were 711 youth from 53 counties participated in the following events: BB gun, Standard Air Rifle, 3 Position Air Rifle, Air Pistol, .22 Rifle Muzzleloading, Trap, Silhouette, Wildlife Calling, Skillathon, Conservation/Wildlife Displays. Kylie Callens was 31st in Archery and 33rd in Air Pistol. Tony DeSmet had a big day as well.

He was second in Senior Hawk Throwing, while also placing in three other events: 16th in senior pistol, 10th in silhouette rifle, senior division and 46th in senior trap shoot.

Garrett Callens was 15th in Intermediate Trap Shoot. Hannah Brewers shot an 88 for 40th place in the Senior Trap Shoot event, with Isaac Callens coming in 86th place in the same event with a score of 73.

Youth had the opportunity to showcase the skills they have learned throughout the past year, having spent a minimum of 15 hours working with a trained instructor in their discipline of interest.

The Minnesota 4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Program began in the 1980s and has grown to more than 4,000 youth members and 500 adult leaders.

Adults can become certified discipline instructors by attending a weekend workshop and instructing youth in their local community.

Local participants included:

Participant Place Score Division

• Kaci Callens 1 318 Air Pistol, Intermediate 2 Hands; 12 194 .22 Rifle, Intermediate Target
• Kylie Callens 31 249 Archery, Junior Class C; 33 125 Air Pistol, Junior 2 Hands
• Tony DeSmet 2 40 Hawk Throw, Senior 16 8 Pistol, Senior 10 11 Silhouette Rifle, Senior 46 85 Trap Shoot, Senior
• Elise Callens 33 200 BB, Junior
• Julia Callens 7 231 BB, Intermediate
• Garrett Callens 15 45 Trap Shoot, Intermediate
• Isaac Callens 886 73 Trap Shoot, Senior
• Hannah Brewers 40 88 Trap Shoot, Senior
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