FORT RILEY, Kans. -- "Pull." Bang. "Pull." Bang. "Pull." Bang. "OK. Full safety check."
Safety was the name of the game for youth who refined their shotgun skills during the Fort Riley Outdoorsmen Group Trap and Skeet Camp March 21. The two-day camp taught youth safe gun handling, an appreciation and understanding of the games of trap and skeet and the theory of hitting an aerial target, according to Ollie Hunter, volunteer instructor.
Trap and Skeet use the same machines to launch the clay pigeons. The difference is in the angle and direction the clay pigeon is thrown. In trap shooting, clay pigeons are launched from a single machine, generally away from the shooter. In skeet shooting, clay pigeons are launched from two machines in a sideways path and intersect in front of the shooter.
"Trap and skeet are life sports for the young and old," Hunter said.
Hunter said the sports of trap and skeet are internationally recognized. Brayden Webb, 13, attended the class last summer and he said he was excited to learn even more than he did last year. He said the sports offer an opportunity to open doors in the future for him.
"My favorite part is the fact that I can use these skills to play a sport in college since I'm not the most physically athletic type of person," Webb said.
Webb said he hasn't taken the official hunter's safety course yet, but his dad is a walking hunter's safety course and talks to him about it a lot. He said learning the safety of handling a gun is the most important part of the camp because it protectsthe gun handler and the people around him.
"I think even if you're bad at the sport and you shoot ones at every station, but you learn the safety -- that's what I believe is most important," Webb said.
Brad James, 16, and Jacob Spielman, 12, agreed. James said Hunter's number one rule while at
the camp is not to point the gun at any person. Spielman added the small group learned the 10 commandments of safe gun handling.
"We went through safety on the first day," Spielman said.
Shooting a gun wasn't something new for Caleb Frawley, 14. He grew up duck and deer hunting
with his dad.
"Any day shooting is a good day," Caleb Frawley said.
He said he would do it again, but he is moving soon.
Nianh Coughlin, 13, was the only girl in the shootinggroup. She said her dad wanted her to learn how to shoot a gun and be safe about it.
"This isn't something I would pick randomly, but I liked it," Coughlin said.
To register for upcoming FROG trap and skeet camp sessions, contact Ollie Hunter at 785-
239-2032.
The FROG Youth Trap and Skeet camp is open to ages 12 to 16. Each session is limited to five students and youth may only register for one session.
Camp Session Schedule
Session 2 -- June 19 and 20
Session 3 -- June 26 and 27
Session 4 -- July 10 and 11
Session 5 -- July 17 and 18
Session 6 -- July 24 and 25
All session are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
GUN SAFETY 10 COMMANDMENTS
•Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
•Firearms should be unloaded when not actually in use.
•Don't rely on your gun's safety.
•Be sure of your target and what's beyond it.
•Use proper ammunition.
•If your gun fails to fire when the trigger is pulled, handle with care.
•Always wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
•Be sure the barrel is clear of obstructions before shooting.
•Don't alter or modify your gun and have it serviced regularly.
•Learn the mechanical and handling characteristics of the firearm you are using.
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