Trap Shooting

Our trap program is designed to provide enjoyment for shooters from the beginner to the world class shooter. Enjoy shooting from any of our three trap houses, two of which are lighted and handicap accessible. Shoot standard 16 yard, handicap or doubles whichever you prefer. Participants can practice every Tuesday night from 5:00 to 8:00. Rounds of trap cost $3. Youth beginners will be given a pass for four free rounds which can be redeemed at any time. While shooting, keep an eye out for the green bird. Breaking this bird and you will win a free round. If you like games, join the group shooting Annie Oakley’s.

Come join our trap team which competes every Thursday in the Twi-night trap league. We compete against teams from Ruffsdale, East Huntingdon, Connellsville and Hecla. We rotate from club to club each week. Season runs from spring to Labor Day. Come out and make new friends and enjoy the shooting sports.

History of the Trap Program

Until Youngwood bought its own ground trap was shot at Wise Acres, a Robertshaw facility. On March 11, 1959 it was voted on to buy a used trap from Ruffs Dale Gun Club for $40.00 and participate in a county wide trap shooting club Ruffs Dale was planning to start. So here we go, 56 years of trap at our present site.

Youngwood chose not to participate in the county wide league Ruffs Dale was forming but conducted their own shoots on selected Sundays, beginning October 18, 1959, until their ranks built-up. Youngwood’s first trap house was completed in October 1960. In September 1961 Youngwood began shooting trap each Sunday from 1:00 to 6:00 PM. Through the rest of the 20th century Youngwood’s trap was up & down. We were involved in a number of different leagues and when there wasn’t a league our trap was open on Sundays. When a trap chairman got tired of running the trap after 2, 3, or 4 years, if no one else took the reins, the traps sat quiet for a year or maybe years. Mark Wills ran the trap for awhile at the end of the 20th century then in 2000 when he was ready to move on Roger & Bobbie Davis ran the trap; first one Sunday a month, then two Sundays and when Fred Perillo pitched in it was every Sunday. Once the trap program started to grow and we had more help we added Tuesday nights to the schedule. For many years we operated with two trap houses and two LaPorte traps. Scoring was done from wooden benches in all weather conditions; a beach umbrella was the scorekeeper’s only protection. And I mean we scored in blowing rain, sleet, snow blizzards, scorching sun, etc. There are probably pictures in the
clubhouse somewhere.

Twi-Night History

The Twi-Night league was comprised of four teams in the early 21st century. Herminie’s shooter numbers were dropping off and at the end of the Twi-Night season of 2004 they informed the league officers that they were withdrawing from the league. The league was not going to run with only three teams so Youngwood was invited, and unanimously elected, to join the league beginning in 2005. Jim Lambert got involved in 2005 or 2006 and was a big help. The other clubs had 3 or more traps. Youngwood had two. We were so well organized we ran the same number of shooters through a Thursday night league shoot in the same amount of time as the other clubs, albeit we had to keep things moving. The old trap lights did not work and we knew we would need lights for night shooting, even if we didn’t get in the league, so we had the new lights put up May 2004. Our first year in the Twi-Night league we started the year with 22 – 24 shooters and ended with 28 – 30 shooters. We finished last. We were the new kid on the block and the other clubs didn’t think we would be able to compete. In 2006 our shooter numbers grew and we came in third. We rewarded our shooters with a nice banquet and awards for special accomplishments. All the other teams had small banquets and gave out shells. They also had shirts, hats, etc. with their team name or/and logo. Our shooters deserved the same respect. In 2007, our third year in the league, our shooter numbers grew and stunned everyone by taking first place. Being new we didn’t realize it but Ruffs Dale had won the previous two years. If a team wins 3 consecutive years they keep the traveling trophy. We spoiled it for them. Not only that but Youngwood went on the win first place the next three years. Four first place wins in our first six years. A fabulous feat. Our shooters were rewarded with shirts, hats, towels, coats, vests, banquets at Lakeview, etc. They deserved it. Now, not only were we able to compete with the big dogs, we were a big dog and in our own right. At this point I started to have concerns if the league would be affected if Youngwood kept winning. I spoke with a rep from East Huntingdon & Connellsville and they both said this is the way the league goes. One team may win and win and then their shooter numbers will drop off as shooters leave to support other teams. They said not to worry about it, it is the other teams responsibility to compete with us on the trap line and build up their own shooter numbers. In 2011 we came in second. We could now say we touched all the bases, first, second, third, and fourth. In 2012 Youngwood helped Hecla join the league. They had been in the league many years ago. Youngwood jump started their battery after coming in second in 2011, and took first place in 2012, 2013, & 2014. WOW ! Seven first place finishes in ten years. We rewarded our shooters out of respect for their dedication, support, and accomplishments, not to buy them or entice them to stay with Youngwood; regardless of what some other teams may say. We offered our shooters some free rounds to practice before the season began and Youngwood was always able to keep the price of their trap shooting reasonable. In 2015 we lost a lot of shooters. A few of our top 10 shooters hung-up their vests and sold their trap guns. Other shooters shot for other teams, and there was between 24 – 30 shooters that didn’t shoot at all. In affect our shooter number was cut in half. We finished fourth out of five teams.

What’s New With Trap?

Now the work begins. Its time to get pumped, get excited, get motivated, get this team, this dynasty, built back up. I will take the blame for a lack in motivation this year but many factors contributed to the equation; some beyond my control. Youngwood will reign again and we will compete on the trap field, not at the bank.

Through the years we added a third trap and trap house. Erected scorer huts to protect the scorekeepers from the elements, and replaced our two LaPorte traps with PAT traps. So, we have three trap field with scorer huts and PAT traps. Our third field will probably gets lights in 2016.

Our trap program has run steadily for over 15 years and has helped a lot of shooters, both young and old, learn the sport of trap shooting. Its a wonderful sport, but not always relaxing. I invite one and all to try it once or twice. We have patient shooters who are willing to help new shooters if you want some advice and instruction.

Schedule and Pricing

Statistics

In 2014 117,138 birds were used and 4,274 rounds were shot.
In 2015 111,877 birds were used and 4,104 rounds were shot.
There were 4.50% less birds used in 2015 than in 2014 and 4.00% less rounds shot in 2015 than in 2014.

Trap Shooting

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