Atlantic Provinces

Hello from the Atlantic Provinces.

For a complete list of 2024 ATA registered shoots in the Atlantic Provinces, check out the shoot calendar on shootatlantic.com. If you haven’t submitted your club’s 2024 dates yet, then complete your registered shoot application and get it to Janaya Nickerson, the APTA secretary, for approval. Reach out if you need any help with the application or getting your club started with ATA registered shooting.

The Canadian Trapshooting Association (CTA) have announced the 2023 CTA All-Stars, which recognizes Canada’s top shooters. The minimum requirements for team members include 1,000 registered targets per event shot in Canada and the shooter must have attended their provincial shoot or the Canadian Championships to be eligible. Junior minimum target requirements are reduced to 500 targets per event.

Congratulations to Brad Johnson of Alberta, who led all shooters with a .9651 composite average. British Columbia’s Lisa Salt was the high lady with a .9105 average, and Alberta’s Connor Bish led all juniors with .8987. The complete CTA All-Star list can be found on www.shootcanada.ca.

The 2024 Atlantic Provinces ATA Provincial Shoot returns to the St. John’s R&GC near St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Aug. 29-Sept. 1. Please keep in mind that shoot organizers are planning a four-day shoot this year, plus a warm-up shoot Aug. 28, so adjust your travel plans accordingly.

For more information on the Atlantic Provinces Trapshooting Association, feel free to contact me at [email protected] or visit shootatlantic.com.

Andrea Bassan

ATA Delegate

New Jersey

Well, it’s Dec. 22 as I’m sitting here composing your February article for Around the ATA. I just returned from Costco, where throngs of people are buying huge TVs that can’t possibly fit in the vehicle they came to the store with. I guess they’re helping to keep the economy growing.

This past Sunday and Monday there was a Nor’easter going up the East Coast bringing heavy rain to New Jersey. Vic Savoia, the newly elected president of North Jersey CTC up in Fairfield, reported that club members had to remove all the machines’ wiring and targets from the traphouses prior to the Passaic River overflowing its banks and depositing two to three feet of water throughout the facility, turning the club grounds into a lake. Vic is hoping the water will recede shortly, so the machines could be re-installed and trapshooting can resume.

On Nov. 5 the North Jersey CTC had their annual club meeting and election of officers. Craig Gasparine, who had been the club president for the last 22 years, resigned due to him and his wife Christine moving to Florida. During those 22 years of his presidency, the club went from renting the property that the club resided on to owning it outright. Jim Strzelczyk, a club member, presented Craig and Chris with a portrait of each of them. As mentioned earlier, Vic Savoia was elected president. Bruce Osgood, club secretary for the last 15 years, also decided to retire from that position, Steve Furda was elected secretary. Food and refreshments followed the meeting.

Since it was December, Pine Valley again had a toy drive. Lew Walters reported that more than 150 toys were donated by club members. They were picked up and distributed by the Pine Hill and Berlin Police Departments and given to the school teachers in Pine Hill and distributed to needy families in the township. The NJCTC had a food drive for the local church there.

Two shooters have reached an attainment level. Steve Lorenz reached 25,000 doubles targets, and Steve Gooley reached 25,000 singles targets; congratulations.

If you have an idea for an article or just a question, I may be reached at 732-546-7910 or [email protected].

Joe Sissano

ATA Eastern Zone Vice President

New York

Hello from New York State. I hope everyone stays warm and dry during the winter season. When traveling, please be careful on the roads.

I am very sorry to say that New York State and I have lost a good friend. Robert H. (Bob) Wagner, past president of the New York ATA, passed away Dec. 6 at his home in Odessa, FL, at the age of 78. During his shooting career, Bob registered 156,750 singles, 116,900 handicap and 129,950 doubles targets. Bob joined the ATA in 1980 and was standing at 26.5 yards. His last registered targets were shot in 2016. Bob was a member of the New York State ATA Hall of Fame. He also was a lifetime member of the Bath and Branchport clubs. The board of directors of the New York State ATA would like to express our deepest sympathies to Bob’s wife Ellen and his entire family. Bob will be missed.

Congratulations to New York shooters Jim Flint and William Wallis for making the 20,000-target club for registered targets shot in 2023. This is quite an achievement for shooting. Well done, fellows.

Some target attainments to be mentioned. William Cerosaletti has registered his 25,000th doubles target. Vincent Barranco has registered his 50,000th handicap target. Congratulations.

The high averages for 2023 for New York State have been determined. Daniel Fadden was the high male singles shooter with an average of .9833. Heidi Womer was the high lady singles shooter with .9769. The high handicap average was posted by Edwin Johnson with .9162. Finally, Joshua Buchiere was the high doubles shooter with .9387. Good going, and congratulations.

The New York State High-Average Teams have been announced.

Men’s first—Daniel Fadden, James Flint, Brian Luther, Chad Landon, Edwin Johnson. Men’s second—Vincent Barranco, David McMasters, Joshua Buchiere, Joseph Regan, Martin Gawron. Men’s third—Todd Hosbach, Thomas Walter Jr., Mark Johnson, Cono Natale, Thomas Lander. Ladies’—Heidi Womer, Tammy Wildenstein, Leslie Slater, Deborah Bell, Debbie Lineman. Sub-junior/junior—Alex Tucker. Veteran/senior veteran first—Urban Womer, Bob Edwards, Keith Miranda, William Wallis, Dave Cichelli. Veteran/senior veteran second—Don Alderson, Michael Waschitz, Randy Lineman, Joseph Morsch, George Panarisi. Congratulations to all.

If anyone would like to have something written in one of these articles, please contact me at [email protected] or phone me at 585-519-9543. Please stay healthy, safe and in good spirits. May God bless you all.

Dave Cichelli

ATA Delegate

Ontario

Greetings from Ontario, Canada!

As I write this article just before Christmas, Ontario shooters who participate in leagues are about halfway through the season. What I have observed for years is that the vast majority of league shooters do not shoot registered targets, nor do they have any interest in starting. They just like shooting clays with their friends. This has not changed much over the years, so I don’t think we can blame this on the economy, high cost of ammo, loading supplies, targets, transportation, accommodation, etc. Most league shooters don’t have to travel very far to a league club, but for the most part, it is a day commitment. One winter league I am told has only one junior, and attracting others has been futile. Female participation is also low. To entice league shooters to participate in ATA events remains a challenge. But we all try to incentivize with a free ATA one-year membership for new shooters and often subsidized targets for juniors as well as other initiatives. If you are the only junior shooter, winning a trophy has little significance; it’s more like a participation trophy. We have tried to attract students to our sport, but even talking about guns in Ontario is a non-starter in many circles. Our ATA youth initiatives have been extremely successful in some parts of the States (for instance). Some of our Eastern Zone states are probably experiencing similar barriers as Ontario for youth participation. However, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and others continue to have exceptional results.

Our OPTA board has been great, as well as our clubs and members, but attracting new people, particularly youthful shooters, is tough.

Thanks for all you have done in 2023, and let’s hope 2024 will be a great year!

Paul Shaw

ATA Delegate

Alabama

The Southern Grand will be held at the Silver Dollar March 10-17. This is a great shoot, and I hope everyone will make plans to be there.

Joke of the month: Know the facts before you react . . . Pete was waiting in line to pay for his groceries when he heard John talking. John was two aisles over, but everyone in the store could hear him. John was bragging on how he shot an eagle Sunday afternoon. This made Pete furious, and he was going to do something about it. The next day Pete called the game warden and told them what he heard at the grocery store. The game warden told him they would look into it and take care of the situation. Two days later, four game wardens rang the doorbell at John’s house. When John answered the door, he was served with a search warrant, and the game wardens proceeded with tearing up the house looking for evidence of the eagle. As they continued to destroy the house, John begged them to stop and tell him what they were looking for in the house. The game warden looked at John and asked, “Sir, did you shoot an eagle Sunday afternoon?” Confused, John replied, “Yes, yes, I did. I shot it on the back nine, 14th hole at the country club. Why do you ask?”

Word of the month: Shovelay—A General Motors car. “Nobody could drive a Shovelay like Junior Johnson.”

Please keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers. Without the men and women of our armed forces protecting this country, we would not be able to enjoy this great sport. When you see a soldier, thank him or her for their service.

If you need my help or have any news to report, contact me at [email protected].

Wayne Sartwell

ATA Delegate

Florida

Hello all from the most Southern, Northern State!

Florida trapshooting is about to begin our shooting season, and by the time you read this, it will be in full swing. Please refer to Gun Club Scores in this issue or shootscoreboard.com for club shoot scores. Thank goodness it is finally cooler.

Recently I have been asked, “How can I make it into the Trap & Field Magazine?” Good question. A few ways come to mind, and the first being you or your gun club representative contact me about your outstanding achievement. Another is by ATA recognition. For example, shooting your first straight or making AA or AAA and the 27-yard line status.

Firstly I would like to congratulate Florida’s Mark Zauhar and Sam Specian for racking up more than 20,000 targets for the 2023 target year! That is a heck of a lot of targets.

Secondly, I would like to give a shout-out and a thank you to all of the gun club representatives. We forget that these are unpaid, do-it-for-the-sport positions. These folks get to the fields early and get things ready, keep a supply on hand of scoresheets and ATA financial reports, applications, registered scoresheet reports, earned yardage, keep change for us when we don’t have the correct dollar amount for shooting. Usually wrap things up at the end of the shoot and then go home and get their paperwork together to mail to the FTA/ATA. Even if a shoot is canceled, they still have to contact the FTA/ATA to let them know. And of course thank you to all who help!

FTA elections: This article is scheduled to be published in February and right before the Southern Grand and Florida State Shoot. As you all know, we have elections for our FTA executives, zone directors and Delegates at this time. If you wish to run for one of these positions, let it be known. All positions will stay as incumbents unless someone else is voted to take their position (and, yes, I like being the ATA Delegate, I’m just saying).

Florida’s trapshooting is just about in full swing, and all of the clubs are getting their seasonal shooters back. I really look forward to this time of year because I get to see all of my seasonal friends (I know you didn’t think I had any). Another good thing is racking up handicap yardage at clubs because of having more than 15 participants. You don’t have to be good . . . .just better than them! (15 to 39 shooters can get you a half-yard or more).

Please join me in remembering Craig Ginn, who passed away in December. Craig had a long career that started in 1971, and he ended up with 252,025 registered targets. For most of us newer shooters, Craig was a treasure trove for trapshooting knowledge. From who is who in trapshooting to how to mount a gun or helping with recipes for loading shells, Craig knew it all.

Palatka SC Inc.: Most months I talk about mostly the same gun clubs. The biggest reason is these clubs send me e-mails of what’s going on, or they are close enough to me I can go see for myself. But lately, Palatka is making shooting just plain fun! They have these irresistibly named shoots like, the Frostbite League or Club vs. Club or Palatka Towel (yes, you win a towel), Palm Sunday Ham, the Fruit Shoot or Red Bird Chicken (it’s hysterical seeing adults holding their frozen chickens they won) and a few others. Grab a friend and go check them out. And get on their mailing list.

ATA rule of the month:

SECTION IV ATA TOURNAMENTS

1. SAFETY

Shoot Management may disqualify a contestant for violation of these rules, and violations may also result in further disciplinary action.

1. It is the shooter’s responsibility and shoot management’s responsibility to conduct a shoot in a reasonable and safe manner.
2. It is shoot management’s responsibility to remove any competitor who is conducting himself/herself in an unsafe manner. (Repeat violators should be reported to the Executive Committee for further action.)
3. It is shoot management’s responsibility to instruct the trap help in the proper and safe conduct of their respective duties.
4. All trap help must have a flag or other warning device to warn of any person(s) exiting from the traphouse.
5. Trap personnel should be thoroughly instructed of the potential danger of the trap (particularly the target-throwing arm).
6. Movement and exposure on adjacent traps should be kept to the minimum.
7. The practice of tracking targets behind a shooting squad is unsafe, disconcerting to the shooters, and is not permitted.
8. Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and the ATA Rules pertaining to the usage of alcohol and/or drugs must be enforced by shoot management. This rule shall be strictly complied with and shall apply to practice shooting as well as registered and tournament events. (Rule XII, B., 2., a.)
9. A gun, which for any reason fails to fire as intended, must be promptly opened without any subsequent determination by the referee/scorer of the cause of the Failure to Fire.
10. All guns must have the action opened and contain no live or empty shells at any time, except while the shooter is on the firing line. A break open gun’s action may be closed when it is in a gun rack, but it shall not contain a live or empty shell. Repeat offender(s) of these Official Rules will be given a 30-day suspension upon a second violation of these rules; a third violation of these rules will result in a 90-day suspension; and further violations will be reviewed by the Executive Committee for further disciplinary action.
11. As a safety precaution, test shots will not be permitted under any circumstance.
12. A contestant shall place a live shell in his/her gun only when on a post facing the traps. In singles and handicap shooting, he/she may place only one (1) live shell in his/her gun at a time and must remove it or the empty shell(s) before moving from one post to another. In doubles shooting, he/she may place two (2) live shells in his/her gun at a time and must remove both live or empty shells before moving from one (1) post to another. In changing from one (1) post to another, it is highly recommended that the shooter shall not walk in front of the other competitors.
13. Snap caps or recoil reduction devices may be excluded from the above only if colored a safety orange as to permanently identify them as not being a live or empty shell.
14. A contestant may hold his/her gun in any position. The contestant must in no manner interfere with other shooters by raising his/her gun to point or otherwise create an observable distraction.
15. All guns used by contestants must be equipped, fitted and utilized so as not to eject empty shells in a manner that substantially disturbs or interferes with other contestants.
16. All persons, including competitors, referee/scorers and trap personnel, must wear appropriate eye and hearing protection while on the trapfield. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
17. No shooter shall be permitted to participate in any ATA event while seated in or otherwise using a golf cart on the firing line. Single passenger conveyances are the appropriate means for participating should one require assistance due to permanent or temporary disability.
18. While not prohibited, the practice of resting the muzzle of a shotgun on a shooter’s toe is ill-advised and is discouraged.
19. Only competitors competing on a field at that time, referee/scorers or other shoot officials may be on an active trapfield during a registered shoot, unless a safety or emergency concern arises.

I will try to keep all of you informed and entertained with what’s going on in Florida. I want to especially recognize shooters and clubs.

My e-mail is [email protected].

Thanks for the opportunity to serve.

Mike Reynolds

ATA Delegate

Mississippi

Man, it is hard to believe it is February already. Winter weather will be breaking soon in Mississippi. Typically our February is cool/cold and wet followed by March being cool and wet. Hopefully now that all the football games and deer/duck/small game hunting seasons are behind us, our shooters will return to our clubs to register targets.

Upcoming Mississippi shoots: Follow this link shootata.com/Shoots-Clubs-States-Zones/stateID/MS to look at upcoming Mississippi shoots. Capitol GC, Coast R&PC and Starkville GC have monthly shoots set, as usual. Let’s all try to get out and support these clubs.

At present, Capitol GC has set April 6-7 for the Catfish Trapshoot. The Catfish Shoot will feature a total of 600 ATA targets thrown over the same fields and background where the 2024 Mississippi State Shoot will be contested. An excellent opportunity to get a feel for the location of the state shoot.

The 2024 Mississippi State Trapshoot will be May 23-26 at Capitol GC, located northwest of Jackson.

Target requirements for the 2024 Mississippi State Shoot: Shooters who do not have a total of 1,000 16-yard targets registered with the ATA in the current and previous year shall be placed in Class B or higher at the discretion of the handicap committee. Shooters who do not have a total of 500 doubles targets registered with the ATA in the current and previous year shall be placed in Class B or higher at the discretion of the Handicap Committee. Shooters who do not have a total of 1,000 handicap targets registered with the ATA in the current and previous year will be assigned a three-yard penalty up to 25 yards max or their regular handicap yardage, whichever is greater. Handicap target requirements will be waived for shooters age 70 and over, making them eligible for trophies and monies. Any participant who fails to meet the minimum handicap target requirements as described will be allowed the choice of shooting “targets only” from their assigned yardage, provided they waive and forfeit all rights to options, purses, added money and trophies, including HOA and HAA trophies.

So get on out there and support your local clubs and build your target counts in the process.

Coast R&PC will again host one of the locations of the 2024 ATA Southern Zone Shoot. The Zone is set for July 19-21. Make plans to attend.

I am reminded of a story: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. After a good meal, they lay down for the night and went to sleep. Some hours later, Holmes awoke and nudged his faithful friend. Holmes said: “Watson, look up and tell me what you see”

Watson said: “I see a fantastic panorama of countless stars.”

Holmes: “And what does that tell you?”

Watson pondered for a moment: “Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, I observe that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Why? What does it tell you, Holmes?”

Holmes was silent for a moment then spoke: “My good Watson . . . someone has stolen our tent.”

The point of this story is: it’s not rocket science—it’s just a trapshoot—don’t overanalyze it. Just enjoy our sport.

Everyone be safe, and I look forward to seeing you on the trapline.

Will McCarty

ATA Delegate

South Carolina

This column is newsy, so let’s get started. The big news is the shoot dates and location changes for the 2024 Hall of Fame and state shoots. The Hall of Fame Shoot will be held at Greenville GC April 6-7. The state shoot will be held at the North Carolina homegrounds at Bostic, NC, April 17-21. I am sure there are a lot of whats and whys. Please talk to your SCTA board members; it was a business decision.

Announcing our State Team:

First team—captain Phil Bagwell, Gary Ferguson, Milan Campbell, Gary Olson, Rodney Raines. Category—Robert Pobiega, sub-junior; Teresa Knight, Lady II; George Powell, vetearan; Randy Knight, senior vet. Second team—Garry Welch, John Pendergrass, Michael Pobiega, Doug Stenback, Jim Faber. Most targets shot is George Powell with 12,000.

In the achievement department Keith Turman has reached 25,000 handicap targets.

Now the bad news, sorry to tell you that Gary Campbell has passed. Gary was a true Southern gentleman. He had a great sense of humor, greeted everyone with friendly humor. Gary was heavily involved in Belton GC, starting their Big 50 program. He was also a talented musician, playing his steel guitar with local groups. His smile and humor will be missed. RIP, Gary.

It’s winter now, but spring is on the way; keep shooting. Go to your local shoots, get your targets registered, so you won’t have to worry about penalty class or yardage.

Jim Faber

ATA Delegate

Tennessee

Well, according to the calendar, it’s already February. It’s certainly true that winter is far from being over. However, the first major shoot for the new calendar year is happening this month.

The 48th annual Spring Grand American begins with Preliminary Week Feb. 21-25 followed by Spring Grand Week Feb. 26-March 3. Maybe I’ll see you in Tucson.

Read the rulebook, please.

For more info, check out our website at shootatatn.com. You can reach me at [email protected].

Billy Cook

ATA President

Missouri

Goodbye 2023 and hello 2024. We often reflect on the past, which we cannot change, instead of looking at the future, which we have more control over. We can all be a part of the future success of the sport that we enjoy, or we can keep bringing up the past. History is important to study, so we don’t make the same mistakes. Learning from the past is good, but we can’t change what has already happened. I have listened to some of the podcasts, and one of the common things that shooters mention is to concentrate on the next target. Once you pull the trigger on the last one, you can’t change the outcome. This year looks to be a challenge with the recent announcements of target and ammo price increases beginning Jan. 1, which will put more pressure on gun clubs to keep attendance numbers up. Hopefully these price increases will be minimal and have less of an impact on shoot attendance than everyone is predicting. Time will tell!

On behalf of the MTA Board of Directors I would like to congratulate the following AIM shooters on their respective team selections:

AIM All-Star Teams:

Junior Gold—Wyatt Newby. Junior—Thomas Burton, Marin McKinney. Sub-Junior—Colton McKinney. Pre-sub—captain Tyler Burton, Harrison McKinney, Alex Parson.

AIM All-Zone Teams:

Junior Gold—Austin Stoner, Josie Stuver. Junior—Derick Gerding, Charlie Stone, Benjamin Steelman. Sub-Junior—captain Ethan Dahl, Maddox Schulte, Eleanor Schwizer, Truston Alexander, Nick Pisciotta. Pre-sub—Colton Nunn, Parker Robinson.

AIM All-State Teams:

Junior Gold—captain Hayden Miller, Jacob Berry, Bailey Lueders, Joseph Groppe, Caden Guthrie. Junior—captain Mason Lucas, Hunter Alver, Ian Kutilek, Levi Bolling, Adam Slade. Sub-junior—captain Ann Denny Muehleisen, Adrec Keeteman, Noah Innes, Grayson Bradshaw, Avery Biggerstaff. Pre-sub—captain Sophia Congleton, Cooper Krull, Bodie Vermillion, Andrew Kalmer, Clayton Mainard.

Thank you to all the coaches and parents who spent untold hours at practices and shoots, not to mention getting them to and from.

I certified the Cape Girardeau Co. GC near Jackson, MO, a couple of years ago. They fill a gap in the eastern side of Missouri for a place to register targets and have recently hosted some Big 50 shoots. Something to keep in mind with the escalated price of shooting these days is to give the Big 50s a try.

Please watch the calendar of events at your local clubs as some of them still have non-registered events and are open for practice during the winter months. For those of you who travel to shooting destinations in the warmer climates, stay safe on the road. Not much else to report on this time of the year. If anyone has something they would like to report or has any concerns, please contact me at [email protected] or 816-863-9003.

Shoot often, shoot well and be safe!

Stephen Ricketts

ATA Delegate

Oklahoma

Here in Oklahoma we shoot through the winter. Shawnee and the OTSA hold 50-target derbies on alternate weekends. These shoots are similar to an ATA Big 50 but not registered. They are typically well attended at both clubs.

El Reno’s club championship was well attended. The champion crown goes to the high score of 50 singles and 50 handicap combined. Kevin Nanke was winner, breaking 96. Mikie Hooper and David Gatlin posted scores of 93, David won the card cut for runnerup. Johnny Wilson was singles victor with 50 straight. Mikie Hooper, Dennis Patrick and Kevin Nanke all broke 47 for high score in the handicap.

Lights have been installed at the Tulsa GC. This would not have been possible without the ATA Gun Club Fund grant awarded. Also, thanks to volunteer installation by Faith Technologies and Graybar. Enjoying the new lights, TGC held Tuesday night Big 50s through December and January. Attendance included seasoned ATA shooters as well as many first-time trapshooters. It’s a pleasure to see new shooters join this shooting game that we love.

Congratulations to Rod Savely and David Bacon II on attaining 25,000 handicap targets. Also, congrats to Angie Cavett on 25,000 singles and to Nathan Lemke on 25,000 doubles. The ATA and the OTSA appreciate your dedication to this game. Keep on shooting!

See you at the next trapshoot.

Jeff Trayer

ATA Delegate

Texas

Howdy from Texas!

Well, springtime is nearing, and shoots are showing up on the TTA events calendar. I am really looking forward to a busy shooting season. I miss seeing everyone, and these shorter articles seem harder to write. However, there are a couple of things I would like to mention.

First, I would like to start off by congratulating past TTA President Don Rackley for recently receiving his 250,000 ATA pin. Commenting on the accomplishment, he said, “One would think after all those, I would shoot better than I do.” His words, not mine!

Also, the 2024 ATA Southwestern Zone Shoot will be held July 12-14, and the Texas locations will be Amarillo, El Paso and Waco. It will be held in more locations this year, so I hope more shooters will take advantage of the convenience and plan on attending.

As always, I would like to encourage you to volunteer at your local club and support youth shooters. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or one of the current TTA officers. We will be glad to help when possible.

Thanks again for your support, and I will see you at the next one!

Billy Hopson

ATA Delegate

Arizona

Good morning shooters!

As I sit here writing this article on Christmas morning, I’m reflecting back on my life and what a big part trapshooting has played in my life.

I was introduced to the sport at the age of eight. My grandfather, Wayne Olsen, was a mechanic for Standard Oil in Salt Lake City, UT, and at the refinery, there was an employee park with a pool, tennis courts, etc.

Grandpa Wayne approached the Standard management and got permission to put in a traphouse and small clubhouse. The entire family chipped in to help construct this, and once it was completed, this was the family’s destination for every other weekend. This was back when the Olin hand-set machines were being used and hence, I was “volunteered” at the age of eight to become the trap-setter. Most of the shooting at this time was games shooting, such as Annie Oakleys, buddy backers, follow the leader, etc. This meant that I’d spend about 20 minutes out of each hour setting targets, and the remainder of the time was admiring the guns in the rack and listening to the banter between all the shooters. At the end of the day, I would be handed a shotgun, a handful of shells and some instruction on how to hit a bird. Eventually, these opportunities grew and grew and soon the trap-setting duties were rotated, and I was one of the “guys.”

As time went on, the family expanded their shooting to include local clubs and ATA targets. The “family” also extended to include most all of the shooters we had met at clubs. Vacations were planned around which state shoot was happening, and the camper was loaded up and off we all went.

I joined the ATA in 1978 at the ripe young age of 13 and cherished growing up around trapshooting. Some of the clubs I shot at in my youth are no longer there, and some are. Vernal and Spanish Fork are two of these, and every time I pull onto the grounds, it brings back fond memories of my youth, family and friends. Thank you to all my family and friends who were a part of this life and gave me the opportunity to experience trapshooting.

As I attend shoots now, I’m seeing more and more youth shooters out on the line who are either part of a youth group or just a shooter’s kid who expressed an interest in the sport. I think to myself what memories these shoots are going to make for these young shooters and how the sport, as well as the rest of us shooters, will impact the direction these young shooters will take in their lives. The high fives, fist bumps and overall support they give each other out on the line is admirable. We older shooters can also help to develop these shooters with something as simple as a kind word of encouragement or congratulating them when they meet or exceed a set goal. Remember, these kids are the future of trapshooting, and without them, there won’t be a sport anymore.

Now on to Arizona trapshooting business: Arizona shooting is in full swing. The Spring Satellite Grand is coming up in February in Tucson, and the Arizona State Trapshooting Championship is being held in March at Ben Avery. Additionally, Arizona clubs throughout the state are throwing registered targets every weekend from Double Adobe in the southern part of the state to Mohave SC. Casa Grande is another club throwing Big 50s every Monday as well as shoots every month. One of these shoots not to miss is the Breast Cancer Awareness shoot Feb. 13-18. Great shoot and great cause!

We look forward to seeing some new faces in attendance.

Don Williamson

 ATA Delegate

Utah

Just when I got used to writing 2023, the year changed again. As said before, the days sometimes drag, but the years fly!

As I write this, it is mid December, and it doesn’t appear that we will be having much of a white Christmas in Utah when Santa arrives.

Speaking of Santa, I hope you received what you wanted this year. My wife Joy always tells me that she has a difficult time buying me presents. What? I should be as easy as they come. A case or two of ammo, and I am happy. Maybe the hard part is she doesn’t know what kind to buy!

There was only one ATA shoot in Utah during December. Purgatory CS in the southernmost part of the state held the only one we had. Attendance was okay, but scores were marginal. Young Easton Carter swept all three handicap events and earned two yards doing it. That’s good shooting! The Carter clan is bound and determined to have everyone in the family eventually make the State Team. I hope they do.

The only shooting I have done lately is some meat shoots at a few of the local clubs. I ventured to a club I had never visited, Kamas GC. Kamas is a small community about 45 miles east of Salt Lake. The Kamas Valley is the gateway to the Uinta Mountains. Brace yourself for some of my useless trivia. The Unitas are one of the nation’s few east-west-running mountain ranges. If you’re into geology, you should do some research on these mountains. Back to the gun club. The club is a small two-trap club, with a 5-stand course, pistol and rifle ranges. They don’t hold any ATA shoots but seem to have a good local following. If you are ever in the area, you should visit them.

With the new year, it is time to reflect on your successes and make a resolution or game plan of what you can do better in the coming year.

Til next month, stay warm.

Ed Wehking

ATA Past President

 

Washington

Greetings from Washington and the WSTA. I hope everyone had a happy holiday season and that the new year is off to a great start. With not much registered shooting happening during the winter months, we’ve had some meat shoots at various clubs in the region to fill our freezers with turkey, ham, bacon and a lot of that homemade sausage that several clubs make. And while there will be an argument as to who has the best recipe and methods to smoke said sausage, it is all good. As we approach spring, we are all itching to get back into ATA shooting. Hopefully Santa left shells or reloading components under the tree!

The WSTA Board of Directors held their annual meeting on the second of December. Shoots were scheduled at several clubs around the state. The state shoot will be held May 16-19 at the Walla Walla GC. With rising costs in regards to hosting a shoot, the board had to do some real figuring to reduce expenses and still provide the services you would expect and make our shoot a success and enjoyable for all. Watch for a postcard-size flyer in your mailbox to remind you of the date. On said card there will be links to our program online along with the advertising from our generous sponsors that you are used to seeing in the booklet you are accustomed to getting. This change should help with printing and mailing costs, so we can provide the usual trophy packages and keep target costs affordable for all who wish to attend. Please support the advertisers in the program when you are in their respective areas. We can all use a meal, a tank of fuel, some ammunition and whatever products they may provide while passing through their towns.

After many years of taking parking reservations for the WSTA Championships, Teresa Kohn is retiring from the post, and we would like to thank her for her time and service. This year you can reserve your camping spots with Jessica Pelissier by sending her an e-mail at [email protected]. Once the notification is sent out and program set, we should be able to take reservations.

We are about a month away from the Camas Prairie Handicap at Walla Walla. After the Camas it seems the ball gets rolling, and we will have shoots all over Washington. The clubs hosting registered shoots put in a lot of effort to put good targets in the air, feed the hungry shotgunner and support the WSTA. Watch for shoot schedules at shootwsta.com and on social media. Let’s support these clubs and appreciate their hospitality. I know you will have a great time at each club you visit. As I always have, I suggest putting some targets on your average card from a club you have not been to yet. You might just find your next favorite place to break clayss.

Lastly, I want to congratulate our contingent of shooters who attended for their success at the Grand American last summer. We had a good showing at the Autum Grand as well, and Washington always seems to show what our scattergun competitors are made of at major shoots all over the country.

Don’t forget to take a youth or another prospective new shooter to the club sometime during the season and share with them this great sport we all love. We look forward to seeing all of you in the next few months.

Shoot straight and keep your powder dry.

Sean Lewis

WSTA Director