Hunting Skills Training for Youth | Red Dirt Shooting Sports

Master Hunting Skills with Red Dirt Shooting Sports

Certified hunting education for youth ages 8–18. Build confidence, learn safety, and develop lifelong outdoor skills.

White-tailed deer in natural winter habitat

Our Impact

750+
Youth Served Annually

Direct and outreach participants across OK, TX, MO, and AR

70%
Receive Scholarships

$1,000–$2,000 per youth annually covers training and equipment

54+
Mobile Workshops/Year

Bringing hunting skills training to rural and underserved communities

100%
Safety Record

Zero safety incidents in 3+ years of certified instruction

Getting Started with Hunting Skills Training

1

Register Online

Complete our simple registration form with your contact info and basic details. Takes just 5 minutes.

Register →
2

Safety Orientation

Attend a mandatory 45–60 minute safety orientation covering hunting ethics, firearm safety, and wildlife respect.

3

Equipment Fitting

Our coaches fit you with properly sized firearms, archery gear, and safety equipment. All loaner gear provided.

4

Start Training

Begin hands-on training with certified coaches. Progress at your pace from beginner to advanced skills.

What You'll Learn

Hunting Safety & Ethics

  • Firearm and archery safety protocols
  • Ethical hunting practices
  • Wildlife conservation principles
  • Legal hunting regulations (OK, TX, MO, AR)

Wildlife Skills

  • Wildlife identification and behavior
  • Habitat assessment
  • Tracking and scouting techniques
  • Seasonal hunting strategies

Outdoor Competency

  • Survival skills and navigation
  • Outdoor first aid
  • Weather assessment and planning
  • Equipment maintenance and care

Marksmanship & Technique

  • Shotgun sporting clays
  • Rifle and pistol accuracy
  • Archery form and consistency
  • Field shooting scenarios

2025 Hunting Skills National Qualifier

Compete in three exciting events designed to test your skills:

Shotgun Sporting Clays

Test your shotgun accuracy and technique in dynamic clay target scenarios.

Wildlife Skills Test

Demonstrate knowledge of wildlife identification, behavior, and conservation.

Orienteering Challenge

Navigate outdoor terrain using maps, compass, and problem-solving skills.

Note: Junior participants (under 13) focus on wildlife skills and orienteering; live-fire events reserved for ages 13+.

Training Levels

Beginner (Ages 8–12)

Foundation & Safety First

  • Safety orientation and fundamentals
  • Basic firearm and archery handling
  • Wildlife identification basics
  • Outdoor survival introduction
  • Group skills and teamwork

Retention: 70–75% progress to intermediate

Intermediate (Ages 10–16)

Skill Development & Competition

  • Discipline-specific advanced training
  • Local competition preparation
  • Wildlife behavior and habitat
  • Advanced marksmanship techniques
  • Leadership and mentorship roles

Retention: 50–60% progress to advanced

Advanced (Ages 13–18)

Elite Training & State/National Prep

  • State and national competition prep
  • Specialized coaching by discipline
  • Advanced hunting scenarios
  • Mentorship of younger participants
  • College pathway support

Retention: 60% multi-year participation

Why Choose Red Dirt Shooting Sports

🎓

Certified Instructors

All coaches hold nationally recognized certifications (NRA, USA Archery, CMP, 4-H, S3DA, NFAA, ASA, OSAA) and pass annual background checks.

🛡️

Proven Safety Record

Zero safety incidents in 3+ years. Mandatory safety orientation, certified RSOs, emergency protocols, and comprehensive insurance coverage.

🚐

Mobile Outreach

54+ mobile workshops annually bringing hunting skills training to rural and underserved communities across OK, TX, MO, and AR.

💰

Affordable & Accessible

70% of youth receive scholarships ($1,000–$2,000/year). Financial need is the only requirement. No youth turned away.

🏆

Competition & College Pathways

Multiple youth advancing to state/national competitions and college scholarships. We support your competitive goals.

🤝

Community & Mentorship

Join a supportive community of young hunters, veteran mentors, and coaches committed to your success.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

We Remove Financial Barriers

70% of our youth receive scholarships averaging $1,000–$2,000 per year, covering:

  • Training and coaching fees
  • Equipment and loaner gear
  • Competition entry fees
  • Travel and transportation

How to Apply

  1. Complete the application form (simple 1-page form)
  2. Provide a need statement (brief explanation of financial situation)
  3. Submit required waivers (parent/guardian signature)
  4. Optional recommendation (from school, 4-H leader, or coach)

Timeline: Rolling review, 2–4 week notification. Privacy guaranteed—all applications reviewed by board committee.

Apply for Scholarship

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

Remove cost and access barriers to youth participation in hunting sports, ensuring every young hunter (ages 8–18) can train, compete, and thrive regardless of family financial situation or geographic location.

Our Vision

Every child deserves the character-building benefits of hunting sports—confidence, discipline, lifelong safety and marksmanship skills, and a deep connection to the outdoors.

Core Values

  • Safety First: Zero tolerance for safety violations
  • Inclusivity: All youth welcome, regardless of background
  • Accessibility: 70% scholarship rate removes financial barriers
  • Character Development: Building confidence, responsibility, and leadership

Hunting Resources & Educational Guides

Download our comprehensive collection of hunting guides, wildlife identification booklets, and educational materials. All resources are free and designed to help you become a safer, more knowledgeable hunter.

🦌 Wildlife Identification Guides

🦌

Big Game Animals Guide

Illustrated guide to deer, elk, moose, bears, and other big game species across North America.

📥 Download PDF
🐰

Small Game & Furbearers

Complete guide to rabbits, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, and other small game animals.

📥 Download PDF
🦆

Ducks, Geese & Swans

Comprehensive waterfowl identification guide with behavior and habitat information.

📥 Download PDF
🦆

Waterfowl at a Distance

Learn to identify ducks and geese in flight with this specialized field guide.

📥 Download PDF
🐦

Upland Game Birds

Identification guide for pheasants, quail, grouse, and other upland game birds.

📥 Download PDF

📖 Hunter Education & Ethics

📖

Hunter's Guide Introduction

Essential introduction to hunter education, safety training, and the role of hunting in conservation.

📥 Download PDF
🤝

Hunting Ethics

Learn the principles of ethical hunting, fair chase, and responsible sportsmanship.

📥 Download PDF
👤

Role of the Hunter

Understanding the hunter's role in wildlife management and conservation efforts.

📥 Download PDF
🌲

Wildlife Management

How hunting contributes to sustainable wildlife populations and habitat conservation.

📥 Download PDF
🔍

Wildlife Identification

Essential skills for identifying game species in the field and understanding their behavior.

📥 Download PDF
🐦

Upland Game Birds Guide

Detailed NRA guide to upland bird hunting techniques and species identification.

📥 Download PDF
🐰

Small Game Animals Guide

NRA guide to hunting rabbits, squirrels, and other small game species.

📥 Download PDF

🎯 Hunting Techniques & Equipment

🎒

Hunting Equipment

Complete guide to selecting, maintaining, and using essential hunting gear and equipment.

📥 Download PDF
🔫

Firearms Guide

Comprehensive guide to firearms selection, safety, maintenance, and marksmanship.

📥 Download PDF
🏹

Bowhunting Guide

Introduction to bowhunting equipment, techniques, and ethical shot placement.

📥 Download PDF
🎯

Field Techniques

Proven hunting strategies, tracking skills, and field craft for successful hunts.

📥 Download PDF

🏥 Safety & Survival

🏕️

Survival Guide

Essential wilderness survival skills, emergency preparedness, and self-rescue techniques.

📥 Download PDF
❄️

Hypothermia Prevention

Recognizing, preventing, and treating hypothermia in cold-weather hunting conditions.

📥 Download PDF
🩹

First Aid Guide

Field first aid techniques for common hunting injuries and medical emergencies.

📥 Download PDF
👁️

Vision & Physical Fitness

Maintaining physical fitness and vision health for safe and successful hunting.

📥 Download PDF
⚖️

Legal Responsibilities

Understanding hunting laws, regulations, licenses, and your legal obligations as a hunter.

📥 Download PDF

Frequently Asked Questions

Get Started Today

Contact Information

📞 Phone +1-580-XXX-XXXX
📍 Location

Frederick, OK 73542

🗺️ Service Area
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas
  • Missouri
  • Arkansas
⏰ Hours
  • Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
  • Saturday: 9am–1pm
  • Thursday: 9am–8pm (Mar–Oct)

Register for Hunting Skills Training

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