GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Two Louisiana teams finished first, and seven others finished in the top five at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational meet June 24-28. In addition, three Louisiana teams placed in the top five teams overall, and eight Louisiana 4-H’ers were in the top 10 in individual events.

Louisiana teams came in first in Shotgun–Sporting Clays and Hunting-Hunting Skills and second in Hunting–Wildlife Identification and Management.

In other team events, Louisiana 4-H’ers came in third in Small Bore Pistol-Slow-Fire Bullseye, Small Bore Pistol-Small-Bore Hunter Pistol Silhouette, Small Bore Pistol-Camp Perry Round (modified), Archery-3-D Round and Hunting-Hunter Decision Making and fourth in Shotgun-Skeet.

In the overall awards, Louisiana 4-H teams placed second in hunting skills and small-bore pistol and fifth in shotgun.

Individual results include Justin Trahan, Calcasieu Parish, second, small-bore pistol; Joey Bell, Sabine Parish, second, hunting skills; Carlin Ledoux, Beauregard Parish, sixth, hunting skills; Mark Touchton, DeSoto Parish, seventh, hunting skills; Dylan Conner, Cameron Parish, eighth, shotgun; Josh Fortmann, Bossier Parish, eighth, muzzle loading;

Bryar Barton, Winn Parish, ninth, small-bore pistol; and Eric Melancon, St. Martin Parish, ninth, archery recurve.

Approximately 150 coaches and 489 4-H’ers from 30 states attended the event that tested skills, decision making and endurance on the range, said Joe Barrett, LSU AgCenter 4-H agent in Bossier Parish, who coordinates the outdoor skills program for Louisiana.

“Nearly 30 participants from almost 20 parishes brought back 70 medals and ribbons,” said David Boldt, instructor in LSU AgCenter’s 4-H Youth Development Program. “We had over 60 youth, family members, coaches and agents attend this trip.

“This competition has three full days worth of practice time and competition that is both physically and mentally challenging for all involved,” Boldt added.

Members of the second-place hunting skills team are Josh Barrett of Bossier Parish, Joey Bell of Sabine Parish, Carlin Ledoux of Beauregard Parish and Mark Touchton of DeSoto Parish. Their event involves tests of hunting rules and regulations, wildlife identification (furs, feet and feathers), orienteering and archery and shooting skills in various disciplines.

Second-place pistol team members are Josh Horne of Winn Parish, Logan Clark of Franklin Parish, Justin Trahan of Calcasieu Parish and Bryar Barton of Winn Parish.

Members of the fifth-place overall shotgun team are Luke Boullion and Brendan Trahan of Cameron Parish, Charley Savell of Webster Parish and Dylan Conner of Cameron Parish.

In other events, Louisiana 4-H winners were:

Hunting-Wildlife Identification and Management: Carlin Ledoux of Beauregard Parish, first; Joey Bell, Sabine Parish, fifth, and Mark Touchton of DeSoto Parish, seventh. The Louisiana team came in second.

Shotgun – Sporting Clays: Charlie Savell, Webster Parish, third; Brendan Trahan, Cameron Parish, fourth; Luke Boullion, Cameron Parish, fifth. The Louisiana team came in first.

Small Bore Pistol-Slow-Fire Bulls eye – Single Stage: Justin Trahan, Calcasieu Parish, ninth. The team came in third.

Shotgun-Skeet: Luke Boullion, Cameron Parish, sixth. The team finished fourth.

Small Bore Pistol-Small-bore Hunter Pistol Silhouette: Justin Trahan, Calcasieu Parish, fourth; Bryar Barton, Winn Parish, sixth. The team finished third.

Muzzle-Loading-25 Yard Novelty – Bottles and Haffner Critters Combo: Josh Fortmann, Bossier Parish, sixth.

Hunting-Hunter Decision-Making: Joey Bell, Sabine Parish, third; Josh Barrett, Bossier Parish, ninth. The team came in third.

Archery Recurve-Field Round (1/2 Field Round): Eric Melancon, St. Martin Parish, seventh.

Hunting-Hunting Skills: Mark Touchton, DeSoto Parish, second; Joey Bell, Sabine Parish, third; Carlin Ledoux, Beauregard Parish, fourth. The Louisiana team finished first.

Archery-3-D Round: John Gallien, Natchitoches Parish, third. The team finished third.

Small Bore Pistol-Camp Perry Round (modified): Justin Trahan, Calcasieu Parish, fourth. The team finished third.

Mary Ann Van Osdell