Sportsmen can test skills for 4-H

Sisters Country sportsmen can test their outdoor skills in a benefit fundraiser for local 4-H programs Saturday and Sunday, March 20-21 in the first-ever 4-H Sportsmen's Pentathlon.

The event includes sporting clays; 3-D archery; a chukkar hunt and a GPS orienteering course, followed by a banquet at Brand 33 at Aspen Lakes. On Sunday participants can join a two-person best ball golf scramble at Aspen Lakes.

The grand prize for the pentathlon winner is a Fishcraft Stillwater Lake Boat.

The event will help sustain scholarships and programing for Deschutes County 4-H, which has seen a steep reduction in state funding.

"We're trying to create some fun fundraisers to bolster our position in Deschutes County," said local 4-H director Todd Williver.

He noted that many people don't know that 4-H has outdoor sports programs in addition to traditional livestock-raising programs.

While the pentathlon is a test of outdoor skills, one need not be an expert in all areas to participate. In fact, learning is part of the fun - and there will be loaner equipment available if you're not geared up for the full range of activities.

"They may be hunters but not fishermen, so there will be a casting clinic," Williver said. "If you know nothing about GPS, we'll have GPS units on hand to borrow and a quick little course on how to use them before we send you out on your orienteering course."

Space is limited. Register by Sunday, March 14 at http://www.deschutes4h.com. For more information, contact Williver at 541-548-6088.