The Jones County 4-H program recently launched the Trigger Fingers 4-H Club, a shooting sports group that was chartered in January 2023. Despite its recent establishment, the club has seen rapid growth under the leadership of Tony Howe and participated in the Eastern Regional 4-H Shooting Sports Tournament, held on August 24 at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia, NC.

Out of the club’s 18 members, 12 competed in the regional tournament, and five qualified for the upcoming NC 4-H State Shooting Sports Tournament scheduled for September 14 at the Millstone 4-H Center. Samantha Bennett, Jones County 4-H Agent, praised the support the club has received. "This club would not be successful without our amazing 4-H'ers, 4-H volunteers, 4-H families, and community supporters," she said in a recent email.

The following participants represented the Trigger Fingers 4-H Club at the regional event:

• Juniors: Braden Smith (shotgun); Rachel King (shotgun, compound archery); Laura King (telescopic sights rifle, air rifle); Wade Cox (shotgun, compound archery); Aubrey Davidson (compound archery); Killian Howard (shotgun); Zadock Hart (shotgun, open sights rifle).

• Seniors: Aedan Smith (shotgun, compound archery hunter/sporter, compound archery match); Connor Howard (shotgun, telescopic rifle); Chase Davidson (shotgun, open sights rifle, telescopic sights rifle, compound archery hunter/sporter); Ryker Bruton (shotgun); Levi Canady (shotgun).

The club’s qualifiers for the state tournament include:

• Juniors: Wade Cox (shotgun); Zadock Hart (open sight rifle); Aubrey Davidson (compound archery); Laura King (air rifle).

• Seniors: Aedan Smith (compound archery hunter/sporter, compound archery match).

The club’s growth has been supported by NC 4-H Shooting Sports certified coaches Tony Howe, Roy King, Jesse Smith, and Aaron Davidson. Bennett emphasized the importance of this support, stating, "The community backing, from the Town of Trenton to the NRA Foundation, has been instrumental in helping these youth succeed."

In addition to its participation in shooting sports, Jones County 4-H is organizing a fundraiser event, Cow Pie Bingo, during the Jones County Heritage Festival on September 28 at the Jones County Civic Center. Proceeds from the event will help reduce the costs of educational curriculum, camp fees, and competition expenses for local 4-H members.

Cow Pie Bingo involves the sale of 100 squares per game, with each $10 ticket corresponding to a square. If a cow deposits a pie on a player’s square, they can win up to $250. The event will also feature square sponsorships, allowing businesses and individuals to sponsor a square for $100. Sponsors will have their names displayed around the game area, and if the cow pie lands on their square, an additional $50 will be awarded to the winner.

Tickets are currently available at the Jones County Cooperative Extension Office and through local 4-H members. For more information, contact Samantha Bennett at sjwiggin@ncsu.edu or 252-521-6114.

More details on the Jones County 4-H program can be found on their Facebook page and official website.