01 // ABOUT
History & Founding
PITA — overview
Early Organization
PITA traces its origins to early organized trapshooting in the Pacific region, where western shooters needed a regional body to govern competitions closer to home. Orin "O.N." Ford is credited as a key organizer in PITA's formation and has been recognized -- belatedly by some accounts -- for his foundational role in building the association into a functioning regional body.
Forum discussions among longtime trap shooters have noted that Ford's contributions deserved formal Hall of Fame recognition far earlier than they received.
The association grew alongside the broader postwar boom in shooting sports, when trap clubs were proliferating across the West and shooters needed a structure for registered competition that didn't require a cross-country trip. PITA filled that gap for the region, giving western clubs a sanctioning body and giving shooters a way to build official averages in their own backyard.
Hall of Fame Establishment
Key milestones in PITA's organizational development
The PITA Hall of Fame was formally established in 1995 to recognize individuals who made outstanding contributions to the sport and the organization -- whether through competitive achievement, administrative work, or service to the trapshooting community.
02 // TRAP SHOOTING
About Trap Shooting
The sport — how it works
Field Layout and Sequence
A standard round is 25 targets shot from five stations, five targets per station. You start at station one, shoot five clays, then move right to station two.
The trap machine sits 16 yards in front of you in a concrete house, oscillating left and right within a 54-degree arc.
Types & Variations
What Does Trap Shooting Cost?
$600-1,500
Basic equipment to begin
$2,500-6,000+
Quality gear for serious shooters
Note: Hidden costs: Club membership ($100-300/yr), registered shoot fees ($25-50/event), gas to rural club locations. Save money by buying shells in bulk (flats of 10 boxes), joining club leagues with discounted targets, and buying a quality used gun instead of cheap new.
Trap Shotgun Types Compared
| Type | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Over/Under | Two barrels stacked vertically. Most popular choice for serious trap shooters. Offers clean sight picture, reliable ejection, and excellent balance. Entry level starts at $600 (Stevens 555), competitive guns run $1,500-4,000 (Beretta 686, Browning Citori), and elite guns exceed $10,000 (Krieghoff, Perazzi). | Committed shooters who want one gun for years of competition |
| Semi-Automatic | Gas or inertia operated. Significantly reduced felt recoil (30-40% less than O/U). Fast follow-up shots for doubles. Popular choices include Beretta A400 ($1,400-1,800) and Browning Maxus ($1,200-1,600). Requires more cleaning but shoots high volumes comfortably. | High-volume shooters, recoil-sensitive shooters, and doubles specialists |
| Single-Barrel Trap Gun | Purpose-built for singles trap with extra-high rib and stock designed for rising targets. Ultimate precision for dedicated trap shooters. Models like the Browning BT-99 ($1,200-1,500) and high-end options from Ljutic and Kolar ($3,000+). | Dedicated trap-only shooters focused on singles competition |
| Pump Action | Manual action is slowest but most affordable and reliable. Good starter option if budget is tight. Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 both work for trap, especially with longer barrel. Many champions started with pumps. | Budget-conscious beginners or hunters who already own a pump |
Pro Tips for Beginners
- Start at the 16-yard line—everyone does, including future champions
- Borrow or rent before buying; most clubs have loaner guns available
- Mount the gun the same way every time—consistency beats speed
- Keep your head on the stock through the shot; lifting causes misses
- Focus on the leading edge of the target, not the whole thing
- Follow through after the shot; stopping the swing causes trailing misses
- Practice your pre-shot routine until it is automatic
- Shoot with experienced people and watch what they do
- Join a club league; weekly competition accelerates improvement
- Track your scores; patterns reveal which stations need work
- Lesson from a certified instructor is worth 1000 rounds of practice
- If you hit 23-24/25 consistently, consider moving to handicap for challenge