09/13/2026
Here is some in depth information that may answer many of your questions.
Information for Students & Parents
Thank you for your interest in the Blue Mountain Trap team. I can’t wait to work with you and get you started in a lifetime sport. To begin, the spring/summer trap program will run from March through July. We also do a fall season at the start of the school year which is geared towards getting newer shooters involved in the team. Most of our shooting is done at Orwigsburg Rod and Gun Club located at 33 Gun Club Road in Orwigsburg. (Approximately 1 mile east on route 443 from the blinking light in Orwigsburg, there is a right-handed turn onto Gun Club Road.)
Here is a brief overview of trap shooting and what we do as a team. Trap shooting is a specific type of clay target shooting done with sh****ns (generally 12 or 20 gauge). The clay discs are launched out of a bunker at a speed of 43 mph at various angles and a fixed height.
Before we start, there is a lot of paperwork and information that you and your parents or guardian will need to do and know. New shooters will be invited to a practice to observe how we run things. All new shooters will receive a range safety and etiquette overview before shooting. This may be done 1 on 1 or as a small group at the coaches discretion. We highly recommend a quick try out session before jumping in and shooting with the rest of the team. I will also discuss the costs that will be associated with this sport. If you want to get a head start in getting ready, check flyers from Dunham’s and Cabela’s to look for sales on ammo. Also, we work with Line MT Outdoors and Schuylkill Gun Works in order to try to obtain ammo at the best possible cost. We try to have ammo available for purchase at the club.
IMPORTANT
All team communication is done through the TeamReach App. Download the app. Team code is claytarget.
Please be sure to turn on notifications or check frequently so you do not miss important information.
We have 2 seasons. Fall is primarily for recruiting new shooters. We shoot an online league during this season. Spring/summer is our main competitive season that takes us to Elysburg May, June and July and Ohio in July for nationals. We also shoot an online spring league in May.
Coaching is provided every practice. Private lessons are available for a fee. New shooters receive a free first shot lesson to get them started safely and with less pressure. Contact me for scheduling of any lessons.
Things you will need.
Hearing protection: ear plugs are recommended though ear muffs are ok. Disposable ear plugs are available at the club free of charge.
Eye protection: If you wear glasses normally, wear those. You will see many shooters have shooting glasses with various color lenses these help alot with target visibility. Expensive glasses are not a necessity.
Shooting vest or shell pouch: capable of holding a full box of 25 sh***un shells and empty hulls. There are some loaner pouches at the club to use until you find something you like.
Sh***un: 12 gauge is recommended. 20 gauge is acceptable for smaller framed shooters. If you do not have a sh***un our coaches have a few extras for you to try. Over-under break-action are the most popular followed by auto loading and pumps. Side by sides are ok but are at somewhat of a disadvantage in this game. Try them all and see what you like.
Correct gauge ammo: for the gun you will be using. Target loads 7.5 or 8 shot - no faster than 1200 fps. No high brass, turkey loads, buck-shot or slugs. We typically shoot 25 or 50 rounds per session.
Range bag: Something to carry up to 8 boxes of shells, your shell pouch or vest, glasses, extra shells and anything else you need while at the range.
General costs
Orwigsburg Rod and Gun Club membership. (this covers liability at the gun club) $25 the first year and $20 every year after.
Target fees. ORGC charges youth shooters a discounted rate of $5 per round of 25 targets. We normally shoot 2 rounds for a total of 50 targets every Thursday.
Ammo. This varies and has increased dramatically in the past 2 years. A flat of 10 boxes of 25 rounds (250 shells total) is around $90. We are working on grants and fundraisers to offset this cost.
Registration fees for leagues. Pa High School Clay Target League $45 spring and fall. ATA/AIM $25 annually. SCTP(nationals) $35 annually.
Target fees for bigger tournaments range from $25 to $60 depending on how many targets the event is. (Bigger tournaments are generally in the spring/summer and are mostly held at Pennsylvania State Sh***unning Association - PSSA in Elysburg PA.)
Yearly averages if you compete in everything.
Memberships/ Program registrations $175
Target and Ammo cost APPROXIMATE (not including practice)
Spring/fall league Targets $120 Ammo $200 Total $220
Aim/ATA events Targets $250 Ammo $380 Total $630
SCTP Targets $150 Ammo $150 Total $300
All Total $1150
Programs we participate in:
PA High School Clay Target League
This is an online or “virtual” league. 6 weeks, spring and fall
Shooting takes place at our home club during regular Thursday practice.
Teams throughout the state are divided into conferences by team size
Scores are submitted online weekly by coach.
League uses a points system so that all (or most) scores count towards team points
In person state tournament at the end of spring league. PSSA in Elysburg
Most kids do this as it requires minimal travel and time commitment.
Fees $45 per season (spring and fall available) plus targets and ammo
AIM
AIM is the Amateur Trapshooting Association’s (ATA) youth program.
Monthly shooting events (MSE) are held April through July.
ATA/AIM takes individual shooters highest registered 100 target score to be used for that month’s MSE
This is a state level competition with 4 age categories.
Most registered shooting is done at PSSA in Elysburg which also awards trophies to individuals.
Team or squad scores are entered each month by the coach.
Fees $25 annual plus targets and ammo
Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP)
SCTP offers an online league in spring, a state and national tournament in the summer.
The main advantage of this program is to compete in nationals at the Cardinal shooting center in Marengo Ohio
Fees $45 annual plus targets and ammo
If you do not wish to compete in any of these that is fine. Some chose to just shoot at practice for a while until they become more comfortable. Some, due to time constraints, just want to shoot when able on a Thursday. The only requirement is to be a paid Jr member of ORGC.
Feel free to contact me for more info.
Jonathon Mengel
570-657-1187
[email protected]
Season Schedule Summary
Pa Clay target Spring League
April and May 6 weeks.
State tournament in Elysburg is usually Sunday after Memorial day
AIM/ATA MSE shoots
ORGC Spring 100 3rd Saturday in April
Keystone Open 200 Elysburg 3rd Saturday May
Colonial Classic Elysburg 2nd Saturday June
Pa SCTP & AIM State tournament Elysburg last Weekend in June Shooting both days.
PA Grand 200 Elysburg first Saturday July
*There are a lot more opportunities to shoot ATA/AIM scores. These are the ones we attend as a team.
SCTP
Spring league follows PACTL schedule April and May
State tournament Last weekend of June (with AIM State)
Nationals in Marengo Ohio 3rd weekend of July (most leave Thursday and come home Sunday)
PA Clay Target Fall League
September and October 6 weeks
No tournament
