The Daisy Nationals brings teams of youth ages 8 to 15 from around the country to the Rogers Convention Center to compete for the National Championship of BB Gun Shooting. This 5-meter, 4-position, NRA-sanctioned match is in its 58th year ... and we here at NRA Family think it's one of the best shooting competitions for juniors anywhere.
Last year Daisy introduced the Top Gun Shoot Off in which the top 10 individual BB competitors shot 10 more shots on target to earn real money for education. This year, Daisy adds to that excitement with a Top Gun Shoot Off for the 10-Meter Airgun competitors, so everyone has the chance to offset education costs. Another change is that 10-Meter Airgun competitors may use Crosman Challenger airguns as well as the Daisy models. There’s also a 10-Meter Airgun Match for competitors who have aged-out of BB competition.
At the end of the regular Match, the top 10 individual scorers in 5-Meter BB and 10-Meter Airgun will shoot an extra 10-shot match, standing position only, for a chance to win funds they can use to offset education costs, whether that’s for college, trade school, or almost any type of further education. In addition, the top three Individual Aggregate scorers in the regular Match also will win up to $1,500.
The top three teams will also benefit. The 2025 National Champion team will receive $3,000 in Daisy credit, the Silver Medal team receives $2,000, and Bronze gets $1,000. These funds will allow those teams to acquire or upgrade the equipment they need to compete.
BB teams consist of five shooters and two alternates. These teams have practiced and competed for months for the chance to qualify for the Daisy Nationals and must place First, Second, or Third for an invitation. In the match, competitors shoot at an official target placed at 5-meters. They shoot 10 shots in the Standing, 10 in the Sitting, 10 in the Kneeling, and 10 in the Prone shooting positions. All competitors shoot a Daisy Model 499B, touted as the most accurate 5-meter BB gun in the world. In the 10-Meter Airgun Match, competitors use accepted Daisy airguns or Crosman Challenger airguns, and shoot in three positions.
In BB competition, each shot is worth up to 10 points, for a total of 400 possible, but each competitor must also take a test that covers gun safety and general gun/match knowledge. The test is worth 100 points, so each competitor is shooting for 500 points. And these kids are sharp! There will be plenty of bullseyes recorded.
But it’s not just the competition that makes the Daisy Nationals a hit. Events and fun make these three days all about the kids. There are costume, car decorating, and other contests sponsored by Academy Sports & Outdoors and the Daisy Museum. Barter Bar (an evening of trading items brought from competitor’s hometowns) is always a highlight, and an-after party with a DJ, cornhole games, pizza, and other fun stuff will follow the Closing Ceremonies.
As usual, teams are coming from as far away as Oregon to compete. Reigning National Champion team Humboldt Sharpshooters (South Dakota) will be there to defend their championship against teams from across the country. This year at least 16 states will be represented, and many of these teams have been competing in the Daisy Nationals each summer for the past decade. Any organization can start a BB Team, but most come from the 4-H Shooting Sports program, the American Legion or gun clubs. No matter where they originate, new teams must complete a 10-hour Daisy Shooting Sports Curriculum class before ever picking up a BB gun.
“The Daisy Nationals just gets bigger every year,” said Daisy Public Relations Director Lawrence Taylor. “With Daisy’s acquisition of Crosman last year, we are welcoming Crosman Challengers into the 10-Meter Airgun this year and they get their own Top Gun Shoot Off. We’ve never given away this much educational funding.”
Early Registration begins June 29, then competitors get their practice time at the line and take the Safety Test on June 30. Competition commences for the next two days with Closing Ceremonies wrapping up on July 3.
If you’re interested in starting a BB team or getting involved, go to www.daisynationals.com for more information.
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