‘Pull!’

Throughout the week, members of the High Lakes Outdoor Alliance trap shooting club can be found practicing their marksmanship at the High Lakes Gun Range near Three Mile Lake.

“The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys,” said Del Skroh, vice president and board member of High Lakes Outdoor Alliance.

Skroh is just one of many members who regularly come to shoot trap at the range and participate in shooting competitions.

“There’s about six of us that shoot here on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings,” said Skroh.

Members are able to come and shoot at any time there is safe shooting light, as long as no competitions are currently taking place. A membership costs $45 annually, however the range isn’t exclusive to members, as anyone can use the range for a $5 daily fee. Members regularly meet on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to shatter trap, as friends, teammates and rivals.

“I love the camaraderie of it,” said Marc Roberg, volunteer and former shooting coach for Southwestern Community College. “We get to compete together and against each other.”

The range is considered a popular spot to traveling hunters and workers, and has garnered visitors from states all across America.

“We’ve even had shooters from Alaska,” said Skroh.

High Lakes Outdoor Alliance has more in mind than just target practice, as the members do their part to put money back into the community and host fundraisers, such as their annual banquet scheduled to take place Sept. 17. The funds go towards the community, the range and conservation efforts, with the group bringing an estimated $1 million to the community over the course of its existence.

“Everything’s bought local, money is raised local, and it all stays local,” said Ron Gordon, a participant and devoted trap shooter.

The range was originally the brainchild of original founders Steve Maltzahn and the late Bob Hudek, who passed away in 2012. Hudek’s legacy continues on at the range, as he now has a memorial on display in a shelter at the range, and holds a special place in the hearts of the shooters.

“It was one of his big ideas to help put this together,” said Skroh.

The club is part of the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the governing body for the American style of trapshooting.

“They kind of set the rules for clubs nationwide,” said Maltzahn. “Every club runs on their rule.”

An important part of trap shooting is selecting the proper firearm to use, as it isn’t as simple as shooting at a stationary target.

“You got to have a gun that fits you,” said Roberg. “It has a proper length of pull. Trap guns, you’ll be shooting high.”

“When a target’s going sideways you wanna shoot in front of it and lead it,” said Gordon. “Trap targets are always rising, so you need a gun with a higher point of impact.”

SWCC trap teams, 4H shooting sports and high school county shooting teams from Clark and Union counties all use the range for their practices and events. One aspect of shooting sports that sets it apart from other athletic activities is the physical requirements.

“Regardless of physical ability, you can all compete,” said Gordon.

“Girls can compete with guys on the same level,” said Roberg. “Shooting is not a strength issue, it’s not a stamina issue, it’s a skill: hand-eye coordination.”