The Decline Of Our Once Wonderful Sport

Having attended my 50'th high school class reunion this weekend I stumbled on one of my classmates, a retired math teacher, I haven't seen for 40 years. He shot trap in high school (pretty good too) as many of us did and asked me a few questions about the current status of the game. I suggested a few of the changes including the price of guns and targets.

He found it hard to believe how many shooters shot $10,000 to $20,000 guns while the price of targets was still around $4 for practice. He wondered how I kept up reloading all those shells for a family of three as he still owned a single stage reloader and his Hi-Standard Trap pump. I explained I owned machines that are capable of loading a box of shells in just a few minutes and my family owned over $40,000 in Krieghoffs as he stood in awe. I commented he'd be looked at as something a bit unusual if he returned to trap with that old High Standard and when he shot Trap an 1100, Model 12 or Browning O/U which once dominated are mostly gone.

Naturally, we discussed other things like the size of the current Trap leagues, the fact that he sees articles about my wife's shooting prowess, and how my 9 yo son can actually shoot a 12 ga hundreds of shots without getting beat up. That shows there's some residual interest but not enough to get him to return.

I'd say there are many more like him that shot Trap when young but disappeared never to return. I remember when #1 son competed in the mid-90's and nearly every one of those fine ATA All-Americans gave up the sport too and likely are gone forever-just like my old friend who shot over 50 years ago. I'm still struggling with answers as to why?

 

The majority of the young shooters were all part of family shooters. When they reached the age of noticing girls or boys or cars & trucks as it may be, their direction of interest was redirected. All their working monies were aimed into other venues. I speak from experience, I had four sons in the game of which all have grown into fine men, raising families, running their businesses. A couple of them became fine golfers. I've tried to draw them back with no avail. My only hope is for the grandchildren, got my fingers crossed!

 

A year or so ago I watched Daro show the folks how its done and he was using the 1100 Trap. Lots of things have changed with the trap game but to get folks interested and shooting again the 1100 or a model 12 will serve the purpose. I cut down an old High Standard Supermatic Trap and let the youngsters shoot it..... breaks birds just fine and does not hurt them. A BT99 is a far cry from the K80 but to get someone into the game it is just wonderful. Lots of ways to make things happen. Larry