Reports

OK I already found the solution.

Since NeoForge 21.4.x items' models are searched in directory /assets/<mod_id>/items. So, I had to create two files in this directory for my two items respectively like this:

.
└── assets
    └── utilz
        └── items
            ├── target_clear_stick.json
            └── target_stick.json

and reference the actual models from them.

target_stick.json:

{
  "model": {
    "type": "minecraft:model",
    "model": "utilz:item/target_stick"
  }
}

target_clear_stick.json:

{
  "model": {
    "type": "minecraft:model",
    "model": "utilz:item/target_clear_stick"
  }
}

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