Gun clubs expand with growing number of high school trap sho

[mrp]

Gun clubs expand with growing number of high school trap shooting teams

http://www.southernminn.com/northfield_ ... ef790.html

High school trap shooting teams have sprouted up across the state and with it an increase in demand for time and space at gun clubs.

The rising interest at the high school level is fueling investment in gun clubs around the area.

[2in2out]

It's great to see stuff like this.

Someone recently claimed that trap is the safest - or one of the safest - high school sports. Can anyone verify that?

[LarryFlew]

Have you ever nearly been hit by a golf ball, baseball, football, tennis ball, basketball, volley ball???

Ever nearly been hit by a clay pigeon. Must be the safest!!

[xd ED]

Have you ever nearly been hit by a golf ball, baseball, football, tennis ball, basketball, volley ball???

Ever nearly been hit by a clay pigeon. Must be the safest!!

Not to mention all the wrecked 35 year old backs and knees of the former high school football stars.

I managed to break a finger playing HS baseball.

[shooter115]

It's great to see stuff like this.

Someone recently claimed that trap is the safest - or one of the safest - huh school sports. Can anyone verify that?

I don't have any statistical evidence of this, but I would bet it's true.

[Thunder71]

0 injuries - ever, I forget how many the others sports had.
Let's hope that number remains 0.

It's nice to see some of these old clubs coming back to life after being on the verge of getting closed down.

[JJ]

There is going to be some financial issues long term with these trap teams. Our club ,for example, is footing a very large amount of the bill for our local team, and it may turn into unsustainable growth if the clubs keep getting stuck holding the bag, and the teams keep growing in size. Last year we donated one field, one night a week. This spring is looking like it may be two fields for a whole night. The fees paid, are way short of paying for the facilities used/revenue lost.

[akodo]

There is going to be some financial issues long term with these trap teams. Our club ,for example, is footing a very large amount of the bill for our local team, and it may turn into unsustainable growth if the clubs keep getting stuck holding the bag, and the teams keep growing in size. Last year we donated one field, one night a week. This spring is looking like it may be two fields for a whole night. The fees paid, are way short of paying for the facilities used/revenue lost.

Thing is, where are you going to get trap shooters from 10 or 20 years from now? Those learning trap through schools are the ones that will hopefully be participating in the future.

[shooter115]

There is going to be some financial issues long term with these trap teams. Our club ,for example, is footing a very large amount of the bill for our local team, and it may turn into unsustainable growth if the clubs keep getting stuck holding the bag, and the teams keep growing in size. Last year we donated one field, one night a week. This spring is looking like it may be two fields for a whole night. The fees paid, are way short of paying for the facilities used/revenue lost.

Thing is, where are you going to get trap shooters from 10 or 20 years from now? Those learning trap through schools are the ones that will hopefully be participating in the future.

This is true. While it does represent some short range challenges. Until the high school league was introduced a couple years ago, I figured it was only a matter of time until our local trap club folded. I was considered a youngin at my mid 30's. We couldn't get kids to come if we paid them. Now that its become cool, the fastest growing high school sport in the state is a shooting sport. Though it may be slightly painful to fund it this is an outstanding opportunity to make shooting sports mainstream. Plus, the kids shooting now will be your paying members in the future.

[IDPA Shooter]

I agree with what has been posted and we are attempting to assist the schools that shoot at our club, while covering at least direct expenses. There definitely is some wear and tear on the club, its facilities and our volunteers to host large and growing numbers of students.

Not sure if everyone is aware of it, but the state DNR had what was called Expedited Small Trap Ranges Grants, this phase was $5k to $25k 50% matching funds grants for round 1 of this program http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/recreation/rangedev.html While I agree that the state attaches strings and requires inspection and compliance this initial phase of the program allowed existing ranges to expand, improve or upgrade their facilities. Apps were due 9/1, and they were to advise grant amounts mid September. Surprise, they got a flood of apps for 50% matching grants and we still have not heard.

The goal is to increase range capacity for youth trap shooters and subsequent phases will look at building new trap fields, etc. Again, I know some clubs do not want the hassle and strings the DNR attaches, and I respect that. However, this is a $2mm program and a chance to help get youth involved in gun sports and maybe even change our image in the community at large.

[hornswaggle]

My son is got involved in the Spring league and is now finishing up the Fall league. I am so excited that he and others from our school, boys and girls, have the opportunity to be involved in this sport. Our team raises funds through selling NWTF and PF banquet tickets and helping out the local Lions club with events. Plus the gun club provides the clay and free range fees. It's a win/win for the club and students! I talked to a Principal at another school that does not offer trap shooting and his concern was the cost of the ammo for the students. I asked him to compare that to the sports fees his students already pay regardless if they play in games or sit on the bench then also consider that trap shooters ALL participate at every event.

[greenfarmer]

Our local club donated the money to the instructor to purchase a shotgun for the trap team 2 years ago, and gave another donation last spring. We don't really have the facilities to have a decent range for them. But our club tries to donate what we can.

I know that the trap team is going to use the clubhouse and put on a dinner, or breakfast as a fundraiser, and some of the kids on the trap team have helped out at other various events to try and earn more money for the trap team to help pay for ammo and other costs.

Things like this need to be noticed by legislature. Look at all of these students who are handling guns every spring at these meets. And to this date, the worst incident anyone has had, was they probably spilled their bottled water!

Rather than worry so much about restricting access, and this and that. They need to concentrate more time and money on youth education of guns. Gun safety is a very cheap class. But, rather than charge these young kids, why doesn't the state donate the money to the DNR so they don't need to charge at all for the class. Get more students and youth involved!