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Trap shooting is a growing sport in Fillmore and Houston counties of Southeast Minnesota. It is a sport deeply grounded in the area’s strong outdoor traditions. For decades, area sportsmen and sportswomen have gathered at local ranges to enjoy friendly competition, fresh air, scenic landscapes and a sense of community that extends well beyond the shooting line.
Local conservation clubs and gun clubs belong to the South East Minnesota Trap Association (SEMTA), including the Chatfield Sportsmen Club, Caledonia Sportsman’s Club, Lanesboro Gun Club, Mabel Sportsmen Club, Harmony Conservation Club and the Preston Gun Club. Each league typically includes 14-16 teams, with five or more shooters per team, including substitutes. There are other clubs in the area that are not members of SEMTA; such as Hardwood Country Sportsmen’s Club, Rushford; Sheldon Valley Sportsmen’s Association; Gopher State Sportsmen’s Club, La Crescent; and Spring Valley Area Sportsman’s Club.
Jamie Kelly, a 15-year member of the Preston Gun Club and a coach for the M-C trap team, explained that “the trap range is usually the main part of the range because there are rules and regulations on how it has to be set up, and then most of them usually have a side pistol range or a rifle range to go with it.” For example, the Mabel Sportsman’s Park also offers shelters for picnics, a playground and a pond for fishing in addition to the trap shooting range.
Some clubs charge annual membership dues to help cover operating and maintenance expenses, such as mowing and range upkeep. Additional costs include prizes and trophies that are awarded at the end-of-season banquets. To offset expenses, clubs also host different fundraisers, including raffles, banquets, pancake breakfasts, and fish fries. Some organizations give back to the community in different ways and support school trap shooting leagues. A benefit of belonging to SEMTA is the insurance and the ability to buy supplies in bulk, such as the biodegradable clay birds.
“It’s usually people who are involved in the outdoors that get involved,” said Anne Koliha, a long-time member of the Harmony Conservation Club who has been shooting for approximately 15 years.
One of the biggest appeals is that trap shooting can be enjoyed for a lifetime because it is not physically demanding. Some members of SEMTA have been involved in trap shooting for more than 30 years. Mark Weichert with the Caledonia Sportsman’s Club has been shooting trap since 1984, 42 years. Kelly and Koliha mention that there has been at least one active participant that is over the age of 80, underscoring the sport’s longevity.
The connection between adult and youth trap shooting programs is especially strong. Kelly noted that adult and youth leagues work closely together. Many adult shooters also serve as coaches at area high schools, helping introduce younger participants to the sport and often encouraging them to continue shooting into adulthood.
Weichert repeatedly emphasized the strong sense of camaraderie among participants and the close connection to youth teams. He shared how rewarding it is to watch a 12-year-old girl come to the range with no shooting experience and, after 12 weeks on the range, return the following year excited and confident. In Caledonia, the volunteers and their coaches work with the kids on Monday and Wednesday nights, and sometimes on Thursday nights, throughout the spring and summer seasons. He mentions that safety is always the top priority, with the first hour devoted to safety instruction. A range master is present whenever the youth are practicing to ensure they adhere to safety rules.
Teams compete at shooting ranges throughout Fillmore and Houston counties, many of which are set against picturesque backgrounds. Each range offers a different background thanks to the topographical features of bluff country. Evenings spent at the range, are often described as especially memorable.
Adult trap shooting leagues are purely recreational, offering participants an opportunity to spend an evening outdoors. Participants describe it as a chance to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with friends and share good company.
The clubs welcome shooters of all skill levels and offer opportunities to practice and compete in a supportive environment.
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