Roughrider Trapshoot | Video

Alexander Gorney | 6/23/2012

"Pull" was the word shooters used before they blasted clay pigeons in mid-air.

"This weekend is the 43rd annual North Dakota Roughrider Trapshoot," said Rod Gilmore, Board Member of Capital City Gun Club. "The Roughrider Trapshoot is in memorial of Teddy Roosevelt, the original roughrider."

Around 100 shooters signed up for the three day shoot-out.

"Today we have the singles championships, which is a 200 target event," said Chris Kittleson, who traveled from Williston for the competition. "Every one one of these people out here will shoot 100 targets. We`ll take a break, take a lunch, then go out shoot another hundred for a score of 200. And the champion will usually run a score anywhere from 197 to 200."

Competitors of all ages, some only grade-schoolers, toed the line.

"We`ve got shooters in their 80`s and we`ve got shooters 15, 16 years old," said Gilmore. "We`ve got shooters from all-across the state. Minnesota, Montana. Shooters came down from Canada."

Some of the shooters have already tallied an impressive shooting resume.

"It`s a lot of fun because we`ve got some top quality shooters out here,” said Kittleson. "All Americans and National Champions."

Competition or not, some shooters say they enjoy the camaraderie.

"It`s a chance to meet with old friends that we usually shoot with in the summer months," said Kittleson. "A lot of these people are teachers, farmers and it`s a great chance for us to hang out, shoot, be competitive, and just enjoy the summer."

The Capital City Gun Club burns through tens of thousands of clay pigeons in less than a day during the competition. Thousands of clay pigeons face annihilation for tomorrow`s competition.

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