“Pull!” That is what is heard right before an orange, clay pigeon is launched and hit with either a 12 or 20 gauge bird shot. Trap shooting is one of the fastest growing sports in the state of Iowa. This is a sport consisting of many different meets throughout the fall and spring seasons that ultimately lead up to the Iowa State Trapshooting Association State competition in July. This is a three-day event nicknamed the “Super Bowl” of Iowa trapshooting. At this meet all three disciplines, Singles, Doubles, and Handicap, are shot.
“I have been a part of trapshooting for six years. I love getting to shoot with great people, and I get to compete while doing something I love. I like the meet that we go to up in Potosi Wisconsin; it’s nice to get to go somewhere outside of Iowa and Potosi is the perfect place to do that. I shoot with an SKB 90 TSS 12 gauge shotgun. My best score out of 50 was a 49/50 just one off from a perfect 50,” senior Karsten Hulme said.
Trap shooting consists of three main disciplines. The easiest and often first taught is singles. This is where a group of five shooters will line up at the closest line to the clay launcher, which is regulated at 16 yards away. Each shooter will take turns calling for a bird and this will alternate shooters until each shooter shoots five birds at the stand. This cycle is repeated until each shooter has shot at each stand. This is done in boxes of 25 and at most meets is scored out of either 50 or 100.
“I have been a part of trapshooting for two years. I like trapshooting because it is fun and it gives me something to do. I have not attended any meets but have heard that they are a fun experience. I am unsure if I plan to shoot at any other meets. I shoot with a Remington 870 12 gauge. My best shot out of 50 is a 45/50,” sophomore Brendan Wiley said
The next discipline that is often learned is doubles. This consists of shooters calling for two birds at a time. Unlike singles, the birds are fixed in the same position the whole time. Shooters are still lined up on the 16 yard line and it follows the same principle as singles. Instead of five shots per stand each shooter has two boxes of ammo with them at the line and they shoot 10 rounds per stand. This is necessary to keep the flow moving evenly due to having two shots loaded in the gun at once.
“I have been shooting trap for two years. My favorite meet to go to has always been the Wilton meet. I love trap because it allows me to hang out with my friends while doing something I love. I shoot with a 12 gauge shotgun because it provides better accuracy and performance while shooting. The best I have shot out of 50 is 49/50,” sophomore Emery Kuhlman said.
The final and most difficult to learn discipline is handicap. This has the same basic principles as singles, just moved back to either the 21 yard line for middle school shooters or 25 yard line for high school shooters. As the name suggests this is used as a handicap making it more difficult to hit the birds. If you or anyone you know is interested in trapshooting, Davenport Youth Trap is hosting a spring sign up meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 pm at Faith United Church of Christ in Davenport. Trapshooting is a rising sport that can be fun for everyone, no matter what skill level or abilities you have.
