By: Frank Neumayer
Shooter's Question: I’ve really enjoyed shooting Trap at the club this year, and many of my friends shoot “registered targets”. It really sounds interesting and fun, but what does a shooter actually gain by shooting registered targets… what’s in it for me?
Why Shoot Registered Targets:
From a shooter’s perspective, there are several things that one can gain from shooting registered targets. There’s always the challenging element of competition; the fun and enjoyment gained from socialization and camaraderie with other shooters; and the personal satisfaction and achievement gained through experience and self improvement. Let’s not forget the all important element of continued support and growth of the clay target shooting sport itself. This support also relates directly to the growth, and future existence, of gun clubs that offer target shooting of any kind.
First of all, I believe its basic human nature for most of us to be competitive and strive for excellence in whatever we do. Actually, it doesn’t seem to matter what sport or activity we choose, some element of competition always seems to be present. Whether it’s just having fun with friends or being a serious game player, we’re actually competing against someone or something all the time. Competition can take many forms. Whatever it is, whether at work or play, it’s natural for us to strive for improvement and to be successful through some means or type of competitive activity.
For many shooters the social aspect of clay target shooting plays a very important role in their love of the sport. Coming together with friends at a weekend shoot somewhere in the region, offers many shooters fun and enjoyment beyond just breaking targets. The camaraderie and friendships formed with other shooters proves very gratifying, lasting, and special. Whether commiserating over low scores and poor performance, or sharing the joy and excitement of winning an event or a shoot-off, sharing the days events with good friends provides a great deal of satisfaction and comfort for many shooters.
So, what is there to gain in shooting registered targets… what’s in it for you? It simply comes down to what you personally want to take away from (or give back to) the sport, and to what level of shooting success or improvement you wish to achieve. Yes, it costs a little more money to shoot registered targets. However, most of that money goes directly back to the shooters, with the remainder going to the clubs and the sport itself for providing the opportunity. Along with the competition, camaraderie, and the desire to improve, there are certainly trophies, monetary rewards, and bragging rights that make-up a big part of what registered shooting has to offer.
Along with shooting registered targets, being an active and involved club member is vital to the future of target shooting of any kind. I can’t stress enough the importance of getting actively involved at your club! The smallest, simplest contributions, when added together, can really make a difference. Without active, supportive, and involved club members we’ll have no clubs, and without clubs, we’ll have no shooting at all! Supporting your club, along with other hunting, shooting, and sporting associations, will help make certain that all of us shooters, and our children, have great places and opportunities to go and enjoy shooting for many years to come.
In choosing to shoot registered targets, you’ll need to join either the Pacific International Trapshooting Association (PITA) or the (ATA) Amateur Trapshooting Association. Visit their websites for a broader perspective. The PITA covers the seven western states and BC, and the ATA stretches east from the Cascades all the way to the Atlantic. Usually, there are three 100 target events in registered shooting: Singles (16yds); Handicap (19-27yds); and Doubles. Large shoots (10+ days), will offer multiples of these three events totaling several thousand targets. Smaller, weekend shoots usually offer 500 registered targets, comprised of two Singles, two Handicap, and one Doubles event.
Again, most sportsmen are competitive by nature and are constantly trying to improve or perfect their game. For the clay target shooter, shooting registered targets gives us an outlet and an opportunity to perform. It also gives us a competitive challenge, and a disciplined means, of improving and perfecting our game. Certainly, you’ll experience all the ups and downs of victory and defeat along the way. However, I’ve found that competitive clay target shooting not only offers me a challenge and an opportunity for success, but best of all… it continues to reward me with new and lasting friendships on and off the field, wherever I go.
See you at the club… Frank (1209a)
Shooter's Question: I’ve really enjoyed shooting Trap at the club this year, and many of my friends shoot “registered targets”. It really sounds interesting and fun, but what does a shooter actually gain by shooting registered targets… what’s in it for me?
Why Shoot Registered Targets:
From a shooter’s perspective, there are several things that one can gain from shooting registered targets. There’s always the challenging element of competition; the fun and enjoyment gained from socialization and camaraderie with other shooters; and the personal satisfaction and achievement gained through experience and self improvement. Let’s not forget the all important element of continued support and growth of the clay target shooting sport itself. This support also relates directly to the growth, and future existence, of gun clubs that offer target shooting of any kind.
First of all, I believe its basic human nature for most of us to be competitive and strive for excellence in whatever we do. Actually, it doesn’t seem to matter what sport or activity we choose, some element of competition always seems to be present. Whether it’s just having fun with friends or being a serious game player, we’re actually competing against someone or something all the time. Competition can take many forms. Whatever it is, whether at work or play, it’s natural for us to strive for improvement and to be successful through some means or type of competitive activity.
For many shooters the social aspect of clay target shooting plays a very important role in their love of the sport. Coming together with friends at a weekend shoot somewhere in the region, offers many shooters fun and enjoyment beyond just breaking targets. The camaraderie and friendships formed with other shooters proves very gratifying, lasting, and special. Whether commiserating over low scores and poor performance, or sharing the joy and excitement of winning an event or a shoot-off, sharing the days events with good friends provides a great deal of satisfaction and comfort for many shooters.
So, what is there to gain in shooting registered targets… what’s in it for you? It simply comes down to what you personally want to take away from (or give back to) the sport, and to what level of shooting success or improvement you wish to achieve. Yes, it costs a little more money to shoot registered targets. However, most of that money goes directly back to the shooters, with the remainder going to the clubs and the sport itself for providing the opportunity. Along with the competition, camaraderie, and the desire to improve, there are certainly trophies, monetary rewards, and bragging rights that make-up a big part of what registered shooting has to offer.
Along with shooting registered targets, being an active and involved club member is vital to the future of target shooting of any kind. I can’t stress enough the importance of getting actively involved at your club! The smallest, simplest contributions, when added together, can really make a difference. Without active, supportive, and involved club members we’ll have no clubs, and without clubs, we’ll have no shooting at all! Supporting your club, along with other hunting, shooting, and sporting associations, will help make certain that all of us shooters, and our children, have great places and opportunities to go and enjoy shooting for many years to come.
In choosing to shoot registered targets, you’ll need to join either the Pacific International Trapshooting Association (PITA) or the (ATA) Amateur Trapshooting Association. Visit their websites for a broader perspective. The PITA covers the seven western states and BC, and the ATA stretches east from the Cascades all the way to the Atlantic. Usually, there are three 100 target events in registered shooting: Singles (16yds); Handicap (19-27yds); and Doubles. Large shoots (10+ days), will offer multiples of these three events totaling several thousand targets. Smaller, weekend shoots usually offer 500 registered targets, comprised of two Singles, two Handicap, and one Doubles event.
Again, most sportsmen are competitive by nature and are constantly trying to improve or perfect their game. For the clay target shooter, shooting registered targets gives us an outlet and an opportunity to perform. It also gives us a competitive challenge, and a disciplined means, of improving and perfecting our game. Certainly, you’ll experience all the ups and downs of victory and defeat along the way. However, I’ve found that competitive clay target shooting not only offers me a challenge and an opportunity for success, but best of all… it continues to reward me with new and lasting friendships on and off the field, wherever I go.
See you at the club… Frank (1209a)
