Youth shooting programs are the lifeblood of airgunning in the US. Organizations like 4H, Daisy, NRA, and others give youngsters opportunities to learn gun safety, basic shooting skills, teamwork, personal responsibility, and more. These programs impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people each year. It’s a wonderful example of how we, as an industry, can make a real difference, and nothing showcases this better than the Daisy Nationals.
The 57th Daisy Nationals, an exclusive annual event, is held in Rogers, Arkansas. Nearly 500 competitors, comprised of teams from 16 states stretching as far out as Oregon, descended on Rogers to compete, have fun, and enjoy the sport they love so much. It’s a gathering that welcomes all, fostering a sense of community and shared passion.
To compete at this level, teams must participate in their local events and place in the top three, at least once, to qualify. Daisy helps with some of the expenses, but it can cost upwards of 20K to bring an entire team and their families from across the country. The level of commitment and determination these teams show is truly inspiring and something to behold.
The Nationals incorporate multiple disciplines. The main focus is the BB gun competition. Shooters ranging in age from 8 to 15 compete using the Daisy Avanti 499 precision BB gun. The Avanti 499 is a single-shot, spring-powered airgun that is simply the most accurate BB gun in the world. Competitors shoot at 5 meters from 4 positions: standing, prone, kneeling, and sitting. Coaches are allowed to load and coach their shooters during the match. With all the competitors using the same model, the focus is solely on the skill of the shooters and not the depth of their wallet. It’s very encouraging to see this type of competition alive and well.
There are 5 shooters per team, with most teams using 2 alternates who shoot alongside the rest of the team. Should a primary shooter be unable to complete the match due to illness or some other reason, the alternate shooter’s scores are used in place of the primary team member’s.
In addition to the shooting portion of the competitions, shooters must also take a written test. This test is 20% of their overall score. The written test often determines the winner. Youngsters must spend as much time studying gun safety and shooting education as they do shooting on the firing line. For example, the delta between 3rd place and 1st place was only 34 points! Teams that get perfect scores on their tests can bank a whopping 500 points for their team. So you can see just how tight this competition runs. The difference between 2nd and 1st was only 22 points, equal to 11 questions on the exam.
Alongside the BB gun match is the 10-meter Air Rifle Match. The Air Rifle Match follows NRA rules, with shooters able to use a variety of Daisy air rifles. Most shooters choose the Daisy Avanti 599 Precision PCP. This .177 target rifle is extremely accurate while still being affordable and accessible. This is a critical component of youth shooting programs. Without access to competitive products at affordable prices, families would simply not be able to compete.
The Air Rifle match is shot from 10 meters and 3 positions: prone, standing, and kneeling. Contestants shoot 20 shots per position, and their scores are combined to give them an overall aggregate score for the match. This year’s winner, Makenna Quick, won with an aggregate score of 545 – 12 x’s. The 2nd place score was 542, and third place was 541. When we say these kids can shoot, we mean it, and it’s always an extremely tight contest.
It’s not all tight competition. Not only do shooters get to relax between heats and see friends from around the country, but Daisy puts on a great show as well. The opening ceremonies kick off the fun, with each team sporting some sort of outfit or theme. Teams participate in a parade to show off their themes and be introduced to the field of competitors, family, and friends. There are prizes and awards for the best overall costume, most patriotic, best t-shirts, etc. We estimated that about 3000 folks attended the opening ceremonies. It’s beyond wild and always a good time.
And then there’s the Barter Bar. It’s really impossible to describe as it’s something that you simply need to experience for yourself. But imagine hundreds of youngsters and adults participating in a mass, free-for-all swap meet where no money changes hands. It’s all about the barter and what kind of trade(s) you can make. It lasts several hours, and it’s always a great time. One of the toughest negotiators is Keith Higginbotham, CEO of Gamo / Daisy. We aren’t saying he makes the kids cry, but he certainly makes them work for their trades. It’s all done in good fun, and everyone has a blast.
The closing ceremonies are where all the winners get announced. Top shooters are recognized for their achievements across both the BB gun and Air Rifle events, which culminate with the announcement of the overall winner. This year’s winner was the team from Harford, South Dakota, the Humboldt Sharpshooters. Team members were Mausten Stelter, Elyk Swiden, Ema Dissing, Braylon Plucker, and Sutton Plucker.
It was an honor yet again to be able to cover the Daisy Nationals. If you would like more information about the event and the folks who help make it happen, please visit www.daisynationals.com.
