Trap Shooting: A Growing Sport In North Dakota

More than 400 high schoolers aim to clinch a title at the statewide trap shooting competition.

High schoolers from all over the state flocked to Horace to fire away at clay pigeons.

The sport is in such high demands that newcomers are lining up for their shot at contending.

Collin Durbin from Oak Grove Lutheran is one of many competing for the first time.

“It’s nice to shoot. You get to follow through. You get to do it all your life,” says Durbin.

The 13-year-old has spent the last two years learning how to properly handle and shoot a gun.

Everyone participating is required to have a student hunter education certificate.

But he credits his grandfather for all the training, he can hear his voice guiding him as the pressure starts to sink in.

Durbin hears, “Follow through, stay calm if you miss one, don’t get down. Say you’ll get the next one.”

Last year, 70 students participated.

Organizers expect that number to double this year.

“We continue to get many, many inquiries about teams that want to join for next year,” says John Nelson, Vice President of the North Dakota State High School Clay Target League.

Because of the growth, the tournament has become an all–day event.

Each shooter lock and loads, then patiently waits for their round to shoot one of their 100 targets.

The hard stare and loud crack can be tiring, but it’s all part of the game.

Durbin shares, “It’s a fun sport. If you were to start, you would want to practice every day to get better at it.”

They say practice makes perfect and perfection is needed to win the title.

But all shooters today are going out with a bang.

Grand Forks Central High School took first place with 475 points.

Last year’s champion Devils Lake came in second with 472 points.