The Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program releases schedule

East Rankin Academy (Photo courtesy MDWFP)
East Rankin Academy (Photo courtesy MDWFP)

The Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program (MSSP) is a team-based, youth development program that uses the shotgun sports of 5-stand, skeet, and sporting clays to instill life skills such as discipline, safety, teamwork, ethics, self-confidence, and other life values.

The program utilizes these disciplines to teach hunting skills through the safe use of hunting equipment, including firearms, and their relationship to hunting situations. Team members can participate in any or all three of the clay target disciplines.

MSSP began in 2015 as a pilot program with four participating schools and approximately 30 students. The second season, it had seven schools and 110 students, and it kept growing. For 2020-21, 54 schools and 898 students competed.

The MSSP is not designed to compete with 4-H or other youth-based organizations but should complement them in schools. The MSSP will provide youth an opportunity to compete for their school in a scholastic shooting sports program.

East Rankin Academy won the 2021 state title. Winners of the tournament received a total of $10,000 in college scholarships provided by the Foundation for Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

Here are the 2021-2022 season dates:

  • Oct. 25-30: First Fall Qualifier at McIvor Shooting Facility;
  • Nov. 29-Dec. 4: Second Fall Qualifier at Turcotte Shooting Facility;
  • April 29-30, 2022: State tournament at Turcotte Shooting Facility and Capital Gun Club.
About Michael O. Giles 404 Articles
Mike Giles of Meridian has been hunting and fishing Mississippi since 1965. He is an award-winning wildlife photographer, writer, seminar speaker and guide.

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