Dean Stewart, Mississippi State University Extension wildlife specialist with MSU's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said the program teaches essential life skills through shooting sports and managing resources for wildlife and fisheries. The curriculum teaches young people about wildlife habitat evaluation, quail and small game management and archery, in addition to hunting, muzzle loading, pistol, shotgun and rifle. Through participants' interests in hunting and shooting, the program encourages an understanding of natural resource management. Socially responsible involvement in these activities builds self-esteem and character in the participants. Raymond Radcliff, a 4-H volunteer and nationally certified shotgun instructor in Tallahatchie County, has worked with the field and stream program since its beginning.
Safety is first and foremost.
We teach the kids to keep the guns in the cases and unloaded at all times until they're ready to go to the range firing line. Youth learn about the guns and how to aim at and hit targets. That doesn't happen every time, but when they shoot a skeet, they know instantly if they hit it or not, and they really enjoy it. Clubs currently located in 54 counties are coordinated through local Extension agents and meet 10 or more times a year. Before they can participate in matches, youth receive at least eight hours of training in each area in which they participate from specially-trained adult volunteers.