A rural school district in Logan County is taking aim at a rising trend: shooting sports.  

Mt. Pulaski Schools is launching the program as an extracurricular activity, tapping into a wave of interest across rural Illinois. Superintendent Jason Spang says it’s not yet an IHSA-sanctioned sport, but that hasn’t slowed the enthusiasm.

To make it official, the district had to update its firearms policy—a big step for a school. Spang explains the focus is on safety, with strict rules for securing and transporting guns.

Spang is quick to clarify and crystal clear: no guns come into the school during the day - they are brought in either before or after school and secured at all times. 

Shooting sports are more than a pastime in rural Illinois—they’re a growing movement. From the Grand American’s legacy in Vandalia to over 63 million Americans hitting ranges nationwide, it’s a trend Mt. Pulaski’s tapping into.