Southerners love a little competition. If you can add firearms into the mix, well that’s just all the better.

The shooting sports have been in the news lately and for good reason — thousands and thousands of local residents enjoy sports that involve firearms.

Whether it’s deer hunting, bird hunting or just plain old target shooting, young and old alike enjoy a little marksmanship challenge every once in a while.

Two groups are making the shooting sports a little more safe, fun and accessible in the Miss-Lou.

The young eagle eyes and gentle trigger fingers belonging to members of the Adams County 4-H Shooting Club have been getting a workout lately. The group is preparing to compete in the Southwest District 4-H Shooting Sports Competition in Pearl next month.

We wish all the competitors the best of luck and thank all of the faithful, patient adult volunteers who make the program a success and who teach safe firearms habits to 4-Hers.

We also say “thanks” to Adams County Sheriff Chuck Mayfield and his crew for opening the sheriff’s shooting range to the public.

Providing members of the public with a safe location with which to target practice or even sight in a rifle is a great thing for the sheriff’s office to provide. That they’ve done so without burden to the taxpayer — grant funds help man the range — is even better.

So grab some ammunition, don’t forget your hearing and eye protection, and we’ll see you at the range.