High school trap season. Who has kids shooting?

So we’re at the start of the USACT high school trap season in all the states.

Who has kids shooting this spring, what age/grade?

It’s also interesting to hear how are they doing and what gun are they shooting.

Also, who out there is coaching trap? Is your participation up or down?

My 2 sons both shoot. Henry is a sophomore and a solid 22.x shooter so I’m hoping he can take the next step and move to the 23+ level.

Thomas is an 8th grader and in his 2nd season. He was an 18.x average shooter last season and he’s salty about it because he thinks he should always be as good as his older brother. Thomas is right handed but left dominant eye, so he had to get used to left handed shooting and wasn’t happy about it for a while.

Henry shoots a TriStar TSA top single high rib. The adjustability of this gun has been tremendous because H has been growing like a weed and is now 6-4 so nothing about a standard gun fits him. He also likes a 100% pattern so even better to have all the adjustments.

Thomas is shooting the starter gun I bought for Henry, a TriStar viper auto. Great gun, the gas operation makes it almost recoil free and it can be shimmed for cast and drop, so even though it’s a RH gun, I feel like it’s set up pretty well for a LH shooter.

Much like bass fishing at the HS level its great to see so many schools also having a trap team. Sure wish those were both HS sports when I was in school. Its hard to believe in this day with all the Anti – gun people that this sport is even allowed much less grow like it has. Good on any parents that support it and on those who are coaches. I hope it can continue to grow even larger than it has.

This will also be my son’s second season. 8th grade. He averaged 18 last year.

My son will be shooting again this year. He is shooting 2 spots both in trap. No skeet yet for him. He will be graduating the 8th grade this year.
Last year he shot for the first time only in the fall league. He did excellent. Shooting a franchi affinity and had a 20 bird average. Best he did was was a 47 out of 50.

I really debated on buying him a “trap” gun. But I’d rather him know the bird gun in and out like the back of his hand. Maybe next season he will get a new over under cz but not this year. And as well as he shot with the franchi last year I am very comfortable with that this season.
He is also a tall kid. 13 years old standing at 6ft 3 205 pounds.

Forgot to add, I’m assistant coaching again this season. We are blessed with a tremendously dedicated head coach who has been doing this for 10 years, so I’m thankful and happy to pitch in.

Our team is full as it has been since Year 1. We have to cap the team at 55 because of limitations at our gun club, we can’t cycle any more shooters through practice and comp days because of limited daylight and traps at our club. That’s okay, though, the only thing it impacts is whether or not we will be able to take 6th graders on the team. Otherwise we generally have space for anyone 7-12 who wants to shoot.

fishthumper wrote:

Much like bass fishing at the HS level its great to see so many schools also having a trap team. Sure wish those were both HS sports when I was in school. Its hard to believe in this day with all the Anti – gun people that this sport is even allowed much less grow like it has.

Yes, I also would have loved to have a trap team back in the day, but we were stuck in the 3 sports era with nothing else offered or supported.

The way the USACT league has set things up is genius for a number of reasons. In MN, trap is NOT an MSHSL (Minnesota State High School League)-sanctioned sport. Which, IMO, is actually a good thing.

Instead, it’s a “recognized activity”. So this means schools can support it if they choose, and there are other benefits, but here’s the big thing: Schools can’t stop it either. They can choose not to support it, but they cannot stop a team from forming as the [Insert town name} High School Trap Team.

We have one such team at our gun club, they school board contains some rabid anti-gun members and they blocked support for the team, but much to their chagrin, they found out they couldn’t stop it. The team formed anyway, and has been very successful without school support.

Schools can choose to support and include the team

I cant wait until my kids are old enough for this. I was just starting high school as the league got traction. Even had a teammate get a full ride scholarship offer to a college.

I’m super happy to see the High School trap leagues. With all the crazy in the country involving guns, its refreshing that kids and guns can come together in a sport that’s worthwhile. I’ve watched a local league shoot and these young fellas can make some serious dust happen. Kids on the water and at the range are kids not on the streets causing trouble.

Jimmy Jones wrote:

I’m super happy to see the High School trap leagues. With all the crazy in the country involving guns, its refreshing that kids and guns can come together in a sport that’s worthwhile. I’ve watched a local league shoot and these young fellas can make some serious dust happen. Kids on the water and at the range are kids not on the streets causing trouble.

My boy was sad he couldn’t join bass league this year, between baseball and trap league that eats up almost every night of the week. I told him baseball is more important then bass league. We can fish any night we want

I started and coached a team for 5 years and now my lil buddy is in 7th grade and joined this year.

I shot with a really young buck at the trap club last weekend. Never seen him before. His mom came and sat in a chair with a blanket and watched us from the 27. It’s really nice to see these little tikes go out and shoot and handle a shotgun well.

All 3 of mine are shooting this year. Oldest is a senior (2nd year) shooting a mossberg 500 and averages low 30’s. Middle is a sophomore (2nd year) and averages high teens to low 20’s. He shot a mossberg 500 last year and will shoot a franchi affinity 12g this year. My youngest is a freshman and this will be his first year and is shooting a franchi affinity 12g.

Bearcat89 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jimmy Jones wrote:</div>
I’m super happy to see the High School trap leagues. With all the crazy in the country involving guns, its refreshing that kids and guns can come together in a sport that’s worthwhile. I’ve watched a local league shoot and these young fellas can make some serious dust happen. Kids on the water and at the range are kids not on the streets causing trouble.

My boy was sad he couldn’t join <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>bass league this year, between baseball and trap league that eats up almost every night of the week. I told him baseball is more important then <em class=”ido-tag-em”>bass league. We can fish any night we want

My youngest gave up travel baseball for trap this year. He still does school ball thou. I agree it’s hard to fit it all in and it’s easier to get out fishing anytime.