The term “skeet shooting” might inspire many different images in a neutral observer’s head, thanks in part to a certain 2003 Lil’ Jon single. Skeet and trap shooting, however, are much loved and very widely participated in sports, especially across the Midwest.
The University of Northern Iowa boasts a growing trap and skeet shooting club of its own.
According to the National Skeet Shooting Association, skeet shooting started in the 1920s and is one of many forms of competitive shooting. Trap shooting is much older than skeet shooting, with origins dating back to the late 18th century. Both games are played using a shotgun, and both have Olympic sanctioned versions.
The primary difference between the games is where the shooter stands. In the early days, the now-extinct passenger pigeon was used as the target. Today a clay target called a “clay pigeon” or simply a “pigeon” is used.
The UNI team follows the Amateur Trap Association’s guidelines and rules. The ATA was founded in 1900 as the “American Trapshooting Association” and boasts more than 60,000 members. The ATA is the largest clay target shooting organization in the world.
Every August the ATA plays host to the Grand American World Trapshooting Championships, an event that draws more than 6,000 competitors.
The UNI Trap and Skeet Shooting Club was started in 2006, and today has around 30 members, both male and female, according to the club’s Web site. The club travels all around the Midwest for shooting competitions at universities as far away as Kentucky and Purdue.
According to UNI Club president Chris Harris, the two-day events can “be quite competitive, some teams more competitive than others.”
The UNI club takes 12 to 15 members to each meet. They practice both trap and skeet shooting, but Harris said they enjoy playing another event, called “sporting clays.”
According to Harris, members of the team are excited to help anyone learn the rules if they are not familiar with the games.
“Some members come in with prior high school shooting experience, and others come in with no experience playing the games at all and do very well for us,” Harris said.
Harris said all he asks is that anyone interested in joining has “some prior knowledge of shooting a shotgun.”
Harris says that while they do enjoy being competitive at events, they stress the importance of gun safety.
The team practices every Thursday and Sunday evening, with only the last Sunday of the month being a required practice. Practices are held at the Cedar Falls Gun Club and anyone in need of a ride should contact one of the officers.
In adhering to the ATA’s rules, hearing and eye protection are required at all times. Club members provide their own gun and ammunition. Anyone who lives on campus can speak with an officer about where they can store their gun off campus.
Those interested in joining the team should go to the club Web site at www.unitrapandskeet.com and contact any of the six club officers.
UNI’s Trap and Skeet team competes across the Midwest
Published: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009
Be the first to comment on this article!