Give it a Shot

Shooters should contact the club to see if the scheduled shoot is being held. We apologize for this inconvenience, but the safety of our members is our first priority.

Back in the day, trap shooting with our fathers and brothers was the most fun some of us ever had shooting shotguns. We usually shot trap in the late summer to practice our wingshooting skills in preparation for the upcoming small game hunting seasons. It was just for fun, we rarely kept score.

We used a manual, spring-loaded trap machine that launched clay pigeons, one or two at a time. Our guns were all-purpose field shotguns, the same we used to hunt upland game including doves and quails or rabbits A quick set-up in a farm field with several boxes of low-brass shotgun shells and a box of “clay pigeons” meant hours of good, cheap fun. Granted, it’s still tons of fun, but there’s cash, trophies, sponsorships and scholarships up for grabs, too. If you’re interested in shooting registered ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association) targets, congratulations. It’s easy.

First, find a club that shoots registered targets. (Check the shoot dates or go the ATA website.) Next, join the ATA. You can then shoot registered targets immediately. Enter the shoot by picking your squad and shooting position (post 1,2,3,4 or 5). The club’s cashier can help you with the entry procedure. Arrive at your starting trap on time. Shoot 25 targets and then move to the second trap. Shoot another 25 targets and move to the third and fourth traps and repeat until you have shot 100 targets. Mission accomplished. You’re are now on your way to an exciting career of registered trapshooting.