First Registered Targets

[straightaway]

I believe this little story will resonate with just about every trapshooter that ever registered a target.

My very first registered targets were in March of 1982. Yeah, a long time ago, that to me, seems like just last week. At that time in ATA history, you had to have 2 Life Members in good standing vouch for you to join. My sponsors for that momentous occasion were Harold Kiser and Louis Carter.

Harold was a significant influence on my early trapshooting ventures. Himself being a past Grand American Singles Champion (Veteran) when the Grand was in Vandalia, Ohio.

Louis B. Carter. Lou was to become a PSSA President at one point in time. He was a serious competitor in all disciplines. We shot many thousands of targets together. League, registered, practice and some just for fun. We hunted together. A lot. Lou embodied the slogan “if it flies it dies”.
I have many fond memories from those times. Both Harold and Lou have passed on. The trapshooting community is diminished with their loss.

I digress.

We had travelled to Randolph, New York very early that morning to shoot the 50 target Penn-York Winter Trap League. We arrived there around 7:00 am, signed up on the first squad, shot, then headed across the mountain for the 45 or so minute ride to drop down into the valley where Bradford, Pa is located.

Bradford is a historic location that is famous for several things. Among them are oil and weather. The north central Pa region at Bradford was one of the first major producers of oil in the country. Bradford is also frequently recognized as “the coldest spot in the country” in the wintertime. The brutal temperatures along with regular heavy snowfall make for interesting times.

We arrived at the Bradford Gun Club in due time to find the parking lot filling up. There were several others that had done as we had-shoot the league then head for BGC. We entered the beautiful rustic log cabin that is their clubhouse and took care of the paperwork for my membership. We then squadded to shoot.

For a few years prior, Bradford had stopped throwing registered targets. This shoot was their re-entry into the registered game. The program for this day was 50 singles and 50 handicap.

We hung out until we were called to the line for singles. Temperature was in the mid 20s with a light snow falling with a pretty good breeze. Now, this was a BIG DEAL for me. Harold and Lou got me settled and focused prior to starting. I managed to break the first 25 and dropped one for a 24 on the second trap for a 49 total.

We went back into the clubhouse to wait for the handicap to start. I was up and down, back and forth to the wall where the scores were being posted. There were ten or so squads entered and to Harold and Lou’s great entertainment, I jumped to the board to watch as each squad’s scores were posted. I had played the Lewis Class so was quite anxious to see how things were turning out. As it was, my 49 stood up for Singles Hi Gun!
On to the handicap. I was assigned to the 20 yard line and started off with a 24. Then I got all nerved up and finished with a 22, losing the event by a target.

I don’t recall what the Lewis payouts were, but I do remember walking several feet off the ground for a while.

That was all some 170,000 some registered targets ago. Yes, the Trap bug bit me hard that day. There have been a few starts and stops throughout this adventure due to “Life Events”. I’ve won and I’ve lost. I’ve choked and I’ve prevailed. I’m forever grateful that this game found me and hope to continue as long as I’m physically able.

Bradford Gun Club has thrived for many years, especially under the guidance of Mike Schuler. They continue to host some fantastic events there including The Zippo shoot that at one time was big enough to garner All American Points. Then there is the shoot sponsored by Case Knife with some really cool prizes. They play host to the Konne-yaut Indians fellowship group as well

They have 8 program traps and 1 practice trap. Several skeet field overlays and a world class sporting layout. They define efficiency when it comes to getting shooters through a program in timely fashion. The background is open ground that transitions into dense forest. If you ever have the opportunity to, or, make it a bucket list destination to, shoot there. You will not be disappointed!

I’m trying to find the time to get back there at some time soon. Bradford Gun Club will always be a special place for me.

No matter if you’re new to the sport or have 50 plus years into it, I hope maybe this might get you to reflect on your own story and remember why we do this thing

See you next time wherever it is. Travel Safe. Dan