2025 PA State TrapShoot Attendance- why so low?

Why was the attendance so low? Was it because of the weather?

 

$$$$ like all other big shoots NC state shot attendance was abysmal

 

☔️

 

Lots of rain other big shoots the same week

 

As in many changing trends, there never seems to be a single answer. Basically, trapshooting is becomming a dieing sport, simply because the participants are dieing off and the cost of operations has skyrocketed. Now, add to that, the shooting population in the northeast is fleeing south and west because of taxes, liberal government and crazy gun laws. For instance you can no longer take a semiautomatic shotgun into Massachusetts. Targets have hit $50 a hundred and a single round of ATA trap is gonna cost ~$100 depending upon ammo cost, never mind transportation, lodging and food. Then, after winning an event, you get a painted block of wood with a gun company logo stamprd on it. ( RE: the HOA trophy at this past Southern Grand) PSSA's attempt at drawing crowds by rotating banks seems to have had a positive effect upon shooters, but didn't help with attendance, which was the lowest in history...by a lot. Maybe if the ATA tried luring us geezers back with a Super Sr Vet class and eliminated at least one kids class, Jr Gold & maybe Sub Jr, got rid of AAA, it would free up some resources. Our clubs in Southern PA and MD, with our 50 target leagues and nice payouts, not to mention zero labor costs are burying ATA shoots, attendance wise and otherwise. On any given Sunday, I can shoot three different leagues in Northern MD with straight 50 pots in the thousands of dollars... with no 1099's. So, unless there's some mighty big changes, you can stick a fork in the ATA

 

Proof you never shot at Vandalia! It's not a changing trend. I would save my money for a month to shoot at my State Shoot or Vandalia. The only three things that changed were easier targets, faster loads, and the WSRC.

When the gas lines were a block long shooters flocked to Vandalia and Elysburg.

The year the steel mills closed in PA and OH we saved what we could and shot for big money.

I rememer the high inflation of the 80s. Yep. Vandalia and Elysburg was packed.

Then there was dotcom crash. Sheesh that sucked too. Those were all terrible times.

That was the Golden Age of Trapshooting?

Then we moved to the gun hate state. The end!

 

What is your delegate doing to make targets more challenging? Is the Grand still at the WSRC?

Why is the ATA paying over 200k to its manager?

I earned a degree with winnings from trap shooting. I don't have a dog in the fight. The youth have their own successful programs. The ATA is exactly what its members deserve. It is the result of your delegate selection.

The interesting events are the non-registered calcuttas and the youth events.

See you at the SCTP Nationals at the Cardinal Center. 4000 in a single event?

 

More classes? That isn't the answer. Mandatory reductions and a handicap system that works would require wider targets. That could help. No money. No shooters.

 

I agree, Jersey. I'm thinking, drop Sub Jr, Sub Vet, and Jr Gold categories and AAA class. Then add Super Sr Vet to entice the seniors back into the game. PA (quietly) instituted the Jack Deisher rule, allowing Sr Vet to shoot 1/2 of the 200 target events on a targets only basis so they don't have to sit out those events.

 

Take a look at the weather conditions for the entire shoot…..weather conditions pretty much sucked…..pretty hard. to blame that on anybody else ‍♂️

 

Dumb ass leadership in the ATA for 30 years. You get what you deserve.

 

Weather was not good rained a lot. a big sporting clays shoot in Ohio.
I shot 5 events shot bad. had fun talking to friends and relaxing at the camper. The youth events were not as full as last year but still a good turn out.