The Pierce 4-H SAFE BB and Air Rifle Shooting Teams is busy preparing for their 2025 Shooting Competition season in a makeshift practice facility/ local business. Despite the team losing their previous practice facility (the old Pierce County High School lunchroom) before the 2024 season ended, Pierce 4-H SAFE Coaches secured a last-minute practice facility for the 2025 season. With promises from the Pierce County Commissioners and Pierce County 4-H Program, the local shooting community is anticipating their new facility.
Until then, the families of the Pierce County 4-H SAFE team have expressed their gratitude to the Thornton family of Pierce County for allowing them to utilize a building at Coastal Truss and Vinyl Siding in Patterson. Without their contribution, the Pierce 4-H SAFE program would have been unable to continue.
The 2025 season brings many changes to our local shooting program. With new coaches, new ath letes, a delay in the season start date due to Hurri cane Helene and a new practice facility, one would assume 2025 would be a rebuilding year. Despite the setbacks, a group of certified shooting coaches have invested hard-work and dedication to the 20 shooting athletes ranging from grades 4th – 12th. Orientation for the 2025 season was held in October 2024. A new class of shooting athletes completed their Gun Safety Course at the end of November with our veteran athletes returning to the practice range in December. Both veteran and rookie athletes, led by Coaches Tommy Cooper and Adam Herrin, are practicing BB two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They will begin the season with the All-Star Shooting Match in Waycross on January 18 with competitions in Tifton, Washington, Douglas, Baxley, and Carrolton to follow. The Georgia 4-H SAFE State Competition in Rock Eagle, GA and the 2025 Daisy Nationals Shooting Competition in Rogers, AK will close the 2025 Season. BB Team Members include: Gad DePratter, Austin Brymer, JerriBeth Mullis, Eli Locklear, Allie Herrin, Eli Chessar, Alleah Eason, Angel Justice, Layla Justice, Mason Dixon, Andrew Davis, Dixie Griffis, Eva King, Ayden Brymer, Taylor Sexton, Riley Sexton, Hunter Deal, Case Deal, and Mikah Deal.
The Pierce 4-H Air Rifle Team, coached by Casey Caswell, will practice with the Ware County Rifle Team and attend the Georgia Air Rifle State Competition in April.
With limited space in Patterson, the air rifle team will travel to Waycross twice weekly for three-hour practices. Air Rifle Team members include the following: Gad DePratter, Carson Caswell, JerriBeth Mullis, Eli Locklear, Allie Herrin, and Aleeah Eason. The Pierce 4-H Air Rifle Team thanks the Ware County Rifle Team on providing a space for our air rifle athletes to practice.
Sponsorship opportunities are now being offered to local business for the 2025 Shooting Season with options for their name on the team shirt worn to local and national matches and/or their business logo being placed on the equipment trailer taken to local and the state matches. Please contact a Pierce 4-H SAFE Shooting coach, athlete or the Pierce County 4-H Office for information and forms. Sponsor forms are due January 30, 2025.
A team fundraising event is currently underway. Contact a Pierce 4H SAFE BB Shooting Coach or Athlete to order the coveted Rada Knives with an online order option. The Pierce 4-H SAFE BB Team Rada Knife Fundraiser will end February 20, 2025. Fundraising and Sponsorships help the team keep club dues at a minimum for our shooting families.
The Georgia 4-H SAFE Shooting Sports program provides youth a place to develop a sense of belonging, learn teamwork and increase concentration skills in a safe place. Safety and the responsible use of firearms is the primary goal. The 2025 Pierce County 4-H SAFE Certified Shooting Coaching Staff consists of Tommy Cooper, Re becca Mullis, Adam Her rin, Miranda Herrin, Kayla Brigmond and Casey Caswell.
