NATCHEZ — Emily Hootsell, Allison Freeman and Natalie Russell know how to have a good time on the shooting range.

These three locals represented the county at a state level last month, showing off their accuracy and range with a gun.

Participating in the 4-H statewide competition, Freeman placed third in air rifle and qualified to be on the Mississippi National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational team, which will compete in nationals Grand Isle, Neb., next June. 4-H agent Jason Jones said Freeman was the first Adams County 4-H participant to qualify for a national 4-H shooting invitational. As you might guess, it took a lot of practice from Freeman’s end.

“It takes a lot of shooting,” said Freeman who qualified to participate in nationals by being one of the top four air riflers. “I try to shoot every day.”

Hootsell participated in the competition alongside her cousin Freeman. Facing 110 other archery shooters, Hootsell performed in two separate shooting events and placed 25th overall.

“They split us up into two groups for a two-day event, and other competitors were helping me out who competed in state before,” Hootsell said.

Hootsell shared a similar bond with the other two 4-H competitors from Adams County — shooting guns is something she loves because she grew up with hunters. For Hootsell, the best part of competing at state was getting to show off her skills in front of her family.

“My family is full of big hunters, and 4-H helped me embrace that more,” Hootsell said. “It just kind of snowballed, and I love that my family was able to get together for this event.”

Freeman competed in the 10-meter air pistol and had to face adversity. Though Russell had a strong supportive group of parents and grandparents around her, she was feeling a bit anxious for her event. The reason for that had to deal with Russell’s preparation. Leading up to her air-pistol competition in district in April, Russell was practicing with two hands, unknowing that she would have to shoot with only one at state.

“Right after I signed up for district in April, I realized that I shouldn’t be shooting two-handed at district,” Russell said. “Looking back, I think not knowing until two or three months ahead of time affected the way I finished, but I learned from it.”

Russell finished sixth out of nine competitors and has a possible reserve role for the Mississippi National 4-H Shooting Sports Team next June.