Baldwin City’s Trap team has a large group of shooters this year. Along with their competitions, the trap team offers activities for the community to participate in. A pheasant hunt is scheduled for Oct. 11. Mostly, teens go out onto this patch of land and shoot pheasant.
Many people don’t know much about Trap. BHS senior Hunter Jatala and BJHS 8th grader Ozzy Nue are just a couple of many who participate in the sport.
“In one word, Trap would be community, because of the fact that the old guys who have been shooting before I was born are out there, and they will give you advice if you ask,” Jatala said. “They will also ask how you shot and how your week has been.”
He has been participating in trap since the 6th grade. He learned about this activity through his mom, who made him do a sport starting in 6th grade, and he has been shooting ever since.
“My favorite part about traps is the people and the fact that if your scores aren’t the best, the other people around you can pick you up with theirs for your team score,” Jatala said. “In my experience with Trap, the people are the most genuine people on the planet. Sure, you have the parents that do it because of their kid, but it’s the other ones who do it because they want to help, that’s what trap is about.”
Jatala finds joy in the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are; you can shoot. He enjoys being out there with old and young people. The experience of giving and receiving advice.
“First, try it and see if you like it,” Jatala said. “Second, don’t be afraid to fail; the team has your back. Third, be willing to take advice and be coachable. The only reason I’m ‘good’ is because I listened to my coaches and I took the advice they had for me. Fourth, don’t get into your head, it’s all mental.”
Nue has been shooting Trap for 5 years. He loves this sport because he loves to compete.
“Trap is shooting flying targets that come out of a big box,” Nue said.
Shooters get 25 targets, and the number of targets they fit is their score. Nue has achieved the highest score of 25/25.
“To other people wanting to try this activity, it starts frustrating, but if you practice enough, it will become pretty easy,” Nue said.