Ohiotrap

The Ohio State Trapshooting Association, founded in 1887, is the authoritative voice for trap shooters across the Buckeye State. This isn't a commercial range or retail operation—OSTA is a member-driven organization dedicated to promoting trapshooting as a sport rooted in safety, sportsmanship, and community.

• •Historical significance: George Ligowsky, an Ohio native, invented the first clay target in 1880. The Amateur Trapshooting Association chose Vandalia, Ohio as its headquarters in 1924. Columbus has hosted the ATA's Grand American, the largest shooting tournament in the world. OSTA helped develop Cardinal Shooting Center in 2005—the largest private shooting range in the country.

• •Sanctioned Shoots: OSTA registers and oversees trap competitions across Ohio's four zones (Southwest, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast)
• •State Shoot: Hosts one of the largest trapshooting events in America, second only to the Grand American
• •All-Ohio Teams: Selects state teams annually across multiple categories—Men, Ladies I & II, Sub-Junior, Junior, Junior Gold, Sub-Veteran, Veteran, and Senior Veteran
• •Youth Programs: Operates SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program) and youth initiatives to build the next generation of shooters
• •Scholarships: The Ohio Trap Shooting Foundation funds student-athlete scholarships
• •Museum & Hall of Fame: Maintains the Ohio State Trapshooting Museum at Cardinal Center
• •Club Support: Coordinates 45+ affiliated gun clubs across Ohio

In partnership with landowners Jack Fishburn and the late Karen Fishburn, OSTA developed one of the finest shotgunning facilities in the country:

Shooters qualify for the All-Ohio Team by maintaining minimum target requirements and shooting the championship events (Singles, Handicap, Doubles). The minimum composite average to make the team is 85% (waived for Senior Veterans and Lady II shooters).

• •2026 Target Requirements:
• •Men, Sub-Vet, Vet, Jr. Gold, Lady I: 2,500 Singles / 1,500 Handicap / 1,000 Doubles
• •Junior, Sub-Junior, Senior Veteran, Lady II: 2,000 Singles / 1,000 Handicap / (varies)

Top shooters earn "Ohio's Grandest Shooter" recognition—a title that carries serious weight in Ohio trapshooting circles.

OSTA operates across four geographic zones with affiliated clubs:

• •Southwest Zone: 29 counties including Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont
• •Southeast Zone: 19 counties including Franklin, Fairfield, Athens, Pike
• •Northwest Zone: 28 counties including Lucas, Wood, Defiance, Erie
• •Northeast Zone: 28 counties including Stark, Summit, Cuyahoga, Trumbull

Each zone hosts regular shoots, maintains zone standings, and publishes zone news.

• •Membership Requirements:
• •Annual OSTA dues: $25 (due September 1)
• •ATA membership for registered shoots
• •Club affiliation (45+ clubs across Ohio)

To Register a Shoot: 1. Print and complete ATA Shoot Application (Green Form) 2. Mail or email to Noreen Snively, OSTA Secretary 3. Apply at: Ohio State Trapshooting Association, P.O. Box 956, Ravenna, Ohio 44266

To Register a League: 1. Complete ATA Registered League Application (Blue Form) 2. Endorse a $25 check payable to ATA 3. Approved by OSTA Secretary 4. Mail to OSTA headquarters

"The OSTA promotes trapshooting as an enjoyable sport with a signature of safety and good sportsmanship. Our officers and board are committed to serving Ohio shooters and their clubs."

From manual spring-loaded trap machines in farm fields to championship-level tournaments at world-class facilities, OSTA has stewarded trapshooting's evolution in Ohio. Today, the organization balances competition excellence with youth development and accessibility—ensuring trapshooting remains a core part of Ohio's shooting culture for generations to come.