The Ohio State Trapshoot – going strong and getting better

by Larry S. Moore

The Ohio State Trapshoot just completed the 125th annual state shoot and the sixth year at the Cardinal Center grounds near Marengo, Ohio. The previous grounds were in Vandalia until they were constricted by the City of Dayton for the never quite profitable airport expansion. Dayton's greed and ultimate loss has turned out to be a boon for the shooting sports in Ohio.

The Ohio State Trapshooting Association (OSTA) and Cardinal Center continue to expand the competitive shooting program and events. There are now sporting clays and archery courses available at the grounds. The campground, which includes a recreation center and fishing pond, has expanded to over 500 sites. There are fishing derbies for the kids throughout the week. If shooting American style trap isn't enough of a challenge, shooters can try breaking the even swifter target from the Olympic style bunker traps. The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) for youth shot on Monday with teams competing for the opportunity to represent Ohio at the Grand American Trapshoot in August.

OSTA President Brad Dysinger, a Hall of Fame trap shooter notes, "The Ohio State Shoot is now the second largest trapshooting event in the country, second only to the Grand American.

"We had a very busy week and good shoot this year. There were over 1700 individuals who shot different events. Shooters were from 39 states and two Canadian provinces. However, 54% of our shooters are from Ohio. With 52 trap ranges, the Cardinal Shooting Center is a place for shooters to have fun, shoot and hang out. Spectators can watch the top shooters, visit the new OSTA Trapshooting Museum and Hall of Fame or cruise the more than 70 shooting sports vendors on the grounds. There are vendor buildings which have been added this year."

The celebrity shooters were (l to r) Jeff Pike Columbus hospital;
Vicki Mountz, Ohio Division of Wildlife; Dan Armitage, Buckeye Sportsman radio show;
Larry Moore, BFA; Jim Beasley, Tilden Trophies; Dave Butz former Washington Redskin;
Nora Ross Hall of Fame shooter; and Galen Cisco Ohio State University football and
baseball star. Nora Ross was the first place shooter; Jim Beasley took second place
and Larry Moore finished third in the group.

A new event this year was the Shoot for a Cure which raised over $3000 for breast cancer research. Shooters entered the event and shot for charity and fun. Each entry included a ticket for various prize drawings from the many donated items. White Flyer provided special pink clay targets and Federal Ammunition provided the pink shotgun shells for the shooter. The "Guardian of the Ribbon" organization had their pink fire truck on display. The truck, which was donated by the Port William Fire Department, is covered with signatures and inspirational messages from breast cancer survivors. The event concluded with a "celebrity shoot" which included outdoor writers, radio show hosts and noted shooters. Additionally Dave Butz, former Washington Redskin player and current NRA Board Member was there. Butz is nationally recognized as a shooter and promoter of the shooting sports. Additionally, Galen Cisco who played football and baseball at OSU before going on to a successful career in major league baseball as both a player and coach participated.

Dave Butz noted, "This is a fun thing to get people out to the event and shooting. It spreads the word about a good cause. There are a tremendous amount of charity shooting events where millions of dollars are raised. Many people don't ever hear about the generosity of the shooters."

Galen Cisco echoed those comments. "This is one of the very nice things you get invited to do after retirement. It's wonderful to be here and contribute to the effort. I'm a long time hunter but I've not shot much trap. I still enjoy hunting."

Perhaps capturing the emotion of the event was All-American Trap Shooter Nora Ross, who is the youngest person ever inducted into the Trap Shooting Hall of Fame. Ross, who won the celebrity shoot with a perfect score, explained the importance, "A lot of people may not know but I've had breast cancer in 1992 and again in 1997. I feel very privileged to be here. I'm thankful to be here every day. Shooting the event was something I needed to do to show people you can have an active life after breast cancer. I am currently in remission."

I was honored to participate in the event as a shooter and outdoor writer. I know many people, including family and close friends, who are breast cancer survivors or currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. I was thrilled to participate in the inaugural event and give something to this important cause.

Trapshooting is strong in Ohio. There are numerous quality events from clubs like the local Greene County Fish and Game Association. The Cardinal Center is a premier shooting facility. Shooters are fortunate to have a facility of this caliber in Ohio. Whether simply camping or participating in some form of the shooting sports, the Cardinal Center offers a fabulous opportunity to get to a range. The OSTA operates a very large and exceptionally well run event each year with the Ohio State Trapshoot. Check out trapshooting and have a blast!

Outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry S. Moore is a long-time volunteer leader for Buckeye Firearms Association and winner of the 2005 USSA Patriot Award, the 2007 League of Ohio Sportsmen/Ohio Wildlife Federation Hunter Educator of the Year and the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation/ Women in the Outdoors Hunter Education Instructor of the Year.