By Julie Huss
jhuss@derrynews.com
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DERRY — Daniel Turner is a pretty good shot.
That's what firearms experts were saying about the 15-year-old during a recent 4-H shooting sport/archery workshop at the Chester Road and Gun Club.
With his dad, James, standing a close watch, the boy took position, aimed and fired at the target standing at the other end of the dusty range, about 100 yards away.
The "Introduction to Shooting Sports Workshop" provided basic instruction in both archery and firearms.
For the Derry teen, taking to the firing range is just one more life challenge.
"I kind of like challenges," he said on a crisp, sunny afternoon at the Chester range.
For Daniel, grabbing his 22-caliber semi-automatic rifle to fire off a few rounds, it is all part of his learning adventure in the 4-H program.
Kevin Williams, a federal shooting instructor who helped out at the 4-H shooting event, said Daniel is as good or better than some adults he has watched at the range.
4-H is the youth educational program of the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, offering youth around the state programs based on safety, home and consumer skills, technology, agriculture and much more. Millions of youth around the country participate in 4-H.
"It's a lot of education," James Turner said, adding he and wife Bonnie led a Derry 4-H group, the Ladybugs, for many years. "And (Daniel's) had a good time."
Daniel is not only a gun enthusiast, but the sport lends itself to other offshoots of interest including military tactics history and an obsession with World War II history. The family is planning a three-week trip to France later this year to help Daniel study the European theater and its war history.
As for his shooting talents, Daniel said he will continue to practice and to learn more about how to be safe on the range.
"It's a fun sport," he said. "It's a chance to see how I can challenge myself."
Chester Rod and Gun Club president Colin Buxton said youngsters who participated in the 4-H program had a lot of fun.
"These types of activities build skills and memories for the kids that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives," he said.
To learn more about 4-H and the youth programs offered, visit online at www.extension.unh.edu.
