For nearly 40 years the Flathead 4-H Shooting Sports Program has been teaching safety, marksmanship, team work and hunting skills to Flathead youths ages 9-19. The program uses air pistols, air rifles, .22s, shotgun, blackpowder and archery. The program was founded by legendary Pat McVay who also developed Montana’s Hunter Education Program. A dedicated group of volunteer instructors teach 250 to 400 youths from October through March each year at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.
Youths pay $2 per discipline per night but that doesn’t cover the cost of the program. Since this program meets so many of Flathead Wildlife’s goals for youth in the outdoors, FWI donated $1,000 to the program. The donation was made in memory of Pat McVay who passed away this year and Bernie Windauer, long-time Shooting Sports and Hunter Education instructor.
Pictured at the check presentation are (L-R) Bill Voermans, Marsha Voermans (Pat McVay’s daughter), FWI’s Jim Vashro, Program Director Dale Saverud and Don Anderson.