Welcome to the Dutchess County Long Rifles

Our Program Goals

Our goal is to have a positive impact on 4-H youth by teaching the safe ethical use and handling of firearms in any environment our kids find themselves. Whether on the range during competition, field shooting or in a chance encounter at a neighbor’s house with a firearm, we will prepare our members to act responsibly and accordingly and as a member of a team.

Mastery of skill will be pursued and those willing to make the effort will be mentored by highly qualified / certified NRA, DEC, and 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors who have years of experience.

We incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) when possible while keeping in mind to make it fun by "learning by doing".

We teach the following disciplines: Rifle (Air & Rim-Fire), Shotgun, Pistol (Air, Rim, Centerfire), Muzzle Loading and Archery.  In the end we aim to produce well rounded kids who are confident, responsible, respectful and prepared for life.

Each discipline teaches safety, concentration, self-discipline, self-confidence, goal-setting, decision making,  and courtesy as the young people learn basic skills and build toward more advanced activities. Both cooperative and competitive skills are included. Participants are exposed to local policies, regulations, laws, and ethical behavior both by repeated demonstration and through personal practice.

Participants Gain

· Useful knowledge & skills

· Leadership skills

· Safe habits

· Self-discipline & self esteem

· Personal responsibility

· Confidence, concentration & poise

· Opportunities to set & achieve goals

· Sportsmanship

· Reasoning skills

· Ethical standards

· Friendships

· Opportunities to compete in matches

· Exposure to careers

· Opportunities to earn awards & scholarships!

 The Dutchess County Long Rifles is a Shooting Sports Club organized as part of CCEDC and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization.

Supported by the NRA Foundation again in 2021!

Since 2017, the NRA Foundation has continued to support 4-H Shooting Sports here in the Hudson Valley! Thank you for your support and generosity. 

Targeted Topics!

Season 2 has now started! 

This is a monthly 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Professional Development event aimed at making those who instruct the best even better instructors. We aim to help Level 1 Club Instructors improve their skills and knowledge of the shooting disciplines they are involved in. Click Here to see past events and register to join us!