Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports

• Shooting Sports Home
• Dorchester Home
• Skills for Life
• What it Includes
• What Participants Gain
• Program Position Statement
• Contact Your Local 4-H Office
• Pictures
  • General
  • 2008 State Archery Match
  • 2009 State Rifle Match
  • 2009 State Shotgun Match
• State Archery Match
  • Junior
  • Intermediate
  • Senior
• Smallbore Rifle Match
  • Junior
  • Intermediate
  • Senior
  • Team Totals
  • Jr. Prone Match
  • Individual Scores
• State Shotgun Match
• News
• Newsletter
• Calendar
• Policy
• Other Related Links
• Instructor Responsibilities
• Instructor Resources
• Instructor Workshop
• Matching Mini Grant Application
• Annual Instructor Report
• Email Us!

NEWS

News Just In

Calendar

Newsletter

 

4-H'er Selected for 27th Annual Grand National Waterfowl Hunt

Celebrities coming to Cambridge Maryland for the 2009 Grand National Waterfowl Hunt include Senator John Astle, Peggy Vallery, President of the National Wild Turkey Federation, George Thornton, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Dan "Butch" English, Exec. VP Sales & Marketing for Mossy Oak, and Tom Brooke, VP of Shimano. Joining the list of these celebrity participants is Maryland's 4-H representative, Chris Warfield, Dorchester County 4-H Member. Chris Warfield was born on March 3, 1993. Chris and his younger sister Taylor live with their parents, Mike & Leslie Warfield in Cambridge, MD. Chris currently attends Cambridge South Dorchester High School where he is taking several honors classes, as well as advanced placement English and U.S. History. Chris is on the Honor Roll and completed last year with a 4.2 GPA. At school Chris has participated in J.V. and Varsity Soccer and Lacrosse inwhich he was a captain on both, as well as working on several event committees like Homecoming floats and CSDHS's Winter Dance. After graduation, Chris plans to enroll in a 4 year college and pursue a career in the medical field.

Chris has been a member of the Dorchester 4-H Shooting Sports club for six years. Chris started in the Rifle Club and later also joined the Shotgun Club. Chris has participated in the annual Maryland 4-H Shotgun Match and the annual Maryland 4-H Rifle Match and has medaled in both. In the most recent State Shotgun Match he placed 1st in sporting clays and 4th overall in the senior
division. Chris has also participated in Jakes Day, GNWA Black Powder Shoot, 4-H Sporting Clays at Pintail Point, and Talbot Kennel Club dog trials in Trappe, MD. He has entered projects into the Caroline-Dorchester County Fair.

In his spare time, Chris enjoys hunting, fishing, and hanging out with friends. He also trains his Labrador retriever to retrieve waterfowl when he hunts. Chris has also been recognized as a scholar at the Congressional Youth Leadership State Conference. He was also asked to attend the 2009 Presidential Inauguration. Chris also plays baseball outside of school, as well as Fall and Indoor Lacrosse Leagues at Crown Sports Center. Chris helps coach younger kids in the local Recreation & Parks Soccer League. He works a part time job at Snappers Waterfront Café as a busboy and expediter.

Chris says "4-H has not only made me a better shooter but also a better person. It has taught me about leadership, self respect, self discipline, and responsibility. It is a good program for youth to participate in no matter what interest they have. The 4-H program is a great way to make new, lifelong friends." Chris also stated that "The Grand National Hunt will be a wonderful experience for me. It is a great chance for me to meet new interesting people who can teach me about wildlife conservation and make me a better hunter with all the knowledge I can gain. The Grand National Hunt is also a chance for me to educate people about the 4-H shooting sports program
and the influence it can have on the youth today."

The Grand National Waterfowl Association, based in Dorchester County, is again providing this opportunity for one Maryland 4-H member to be a hunter in the 2009 Grand National Waterfowl Hunt. This annual hunt is held to promote opportunities in Dorchester, encourage wildlife conservation and promote the shooting sports. This year the event is scheduled for November 19-21 in Cambridge. Hunting will take place on Friday, November 20th and Saturday, November 21st. The Friday hunt is a goose hunt, with Saturday being a competitive duck hunt. Grand National will assign the 4-H hunter to a three-person team. The team member will be scored on their first five shots and each member of the winning team will take home a new shotgun. This event also includes a number of very special dinners and social events.

Previous teams have included corporate CEO's, governors, senators, congressmen, sports figures and entertainment celebrities. Past shooters include country music star Irlene Mandrell; race car driver Bobby Allison; trick shot artist John Satterwhite; NRA presidents, Wayne LaPierre & John Sigler; film & TV star Wilford Brimley; basketball star Tom McMillan; baseball star Jim "Catfish" Hunter; Jim and Sharon Crumley, founders of Treebark Camo; Senator Bill Brewster, General Norman Schwarzkopf; General Alexei Leonov, first to walk in space; and General Thomas Stafford, Commander of Apollo 10, first lunar module to the moon. Past shooters sometimes
return to enjoy Dorchester's hospitality.

1999 was the first year that the GNWA provided this opportunity to Maryland 4-H Shooting Sports Club members. 4-H Youth selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity have included: 1999 -Norman Era of Dorchester County; 2000 -Paul Miller of Baltimore County; 2001 -Jonathan Levan of Queen Anne's County; 2002 -Josh Burchick of Howard County; 2003 - Alex Kicas of Carroll
County; 2004 - Christopher Utz of Carroll County; 2005 - Matthew Pender of Dorchester County; 2006 - Phillip McIntee of Dorchester County; 2007 - Stephanie Durham of Dorchester County; 2008- Mark Burchick of Howard County. All of the 4-H youth have had a wonderful time as participants in the Grand National Hunt and represented Maryland 4-H very well.

The Grand National is a non-profit Dorchester County organization founded in 1982 by a group of local men and women dedicated to promoting sound conservation practice compatible with business interest on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Starting in 1984, the fledging organization spearheaded a privately funded "band and release" free flying duck project that now exceeds the one and one half million-bird mark. Recognized worldwide as a major player in the field of conservation, the Grand National continues to provide funding for ornithology research and redevelopment of wetland habitat on both public and private land.

The Grand National underwrites a college scholarship program awarded annually to students pursuing a career in a natural science. Since its initiation in 1987, the scholarship roster includes high school graduates seeking an advance education in forestry, marine biology, veterinary medicine, agricultural science and conservation management. "Investments in today's youth will guarantee thoughtful management of tomorrow's resources." What a grand opportunity for Maryland 4-H youth to join in this exciting conservation program. 2009 marks the 27th year of the Grand National.