Trap & Skeet Range Is Open To
Members and their guests.
Wednesday: 5:00 pm — 9:00 pm
Sunday: 9:00 am — 1:00 pm
Range Fees
Juniors – $5.00
Members – $6.00
Check the Club Calendar
for current information
in case of conflicting events.
Trap & Skeet Directors / Officers –
Pat Thorp & David Cherington
Components Are Sold During Sunday Morning
and Wednesday Evening Shoots.
2026 ATR Shoot Wrap-Up
July, 11th brought back for the 3rd year in a row the Atascadero Trail Riders, for their Hank Savage Memorial Scholarship trap shoot, and it looks like this will be an ongoing annual event to help high school kids continue their education and become productive members of society. Attendance was exactly the same as last year with 27 shooters, a little less than expected as we were hoping for around 40, but nevertheless it was a great day for all. With shooting, a fantastic tri-tip sandwich BBQ prepared by ATR’s squad of cowboy gourmet chefs, and raffles. At this event we ditched the voice release and used hand pulls, which makes it a bit more challenging for our seasoned trap shooters. Some of which have never experienced the human element when calling for the target. Regardless of that we had two shooters that kept their concentration and shot 72 out of 75, Jaxon Brennen and John Alichin. After four heated rounds of shoot off competition Jaxon would come away the victor, winning the coveted ATR belt buckle. Great shooting to both Jaxon and John. Showing up late and unable to shoot, our own Keith Baker purchased one raffle ticket and won the grand raffle prize of a box of assorted cuts of beef from Cal Poly and he says they taste great! I would like to give a big thank you to our own club members that stepped up to help out and make this shoot a success and enjoyable to all who attended. On the score keeping stands and hand pulling were Steve Terry, Butch Phillips, and Ed Merrit. Helping out in the vault was Brian Jones and in the office was Kelly Bellew. Great job and thank you lady and gentleman. Once again thank you to everyone that attended to make this benefit a success, and hopefully many more to come.
On another note, as most of you know I have been around competitive shotgun shooting for the better part of 40 years, and when I walk on the pad to compete, I still get an adrenaline rush that I think would compare with a skydiver jumping out of a plane or a baseball player hitting a homerun, but now stepping back from shooting a bit and taking on the role of promoting shooting events I have found that it is almost as big a rush as shooting, and I think that a lot of that comes from all of you that come out and spend your hard earned money to patronize my events, and the close group of people that help me make a successful venue, with any luck we can continue for many more years. With that being said I would like everyone to know it is my absolute pleasure to have this role in trying to serve you shooting activities that are enjoyable and fun to participate in. Thank you all so much.
See you at the next shoot,
Summer Shootout: August 16th
Club Championships: Oct 18th
Until next time remember head down and eye on the target.
Pat
Once again it was a fantastic day had by all who attended the 2026 Spring Classic 50/50/50 trap shoot at SLSA. As always, we had a spectacular display of shotgun marksmanship and great weather. Leading the pack for the 150 was Jason “Doc” Pambrun, with Keith Baker nipping at his heels for the H.O.A runner – up prize, Doc earned himself $75.00, 10 free rounds, and a well-deserved punch to the 22-yard line, with shooting like that he will be at the back fence in no time.
Fresh off a 99 from 26-yards at the Huges Memorial in Santa Maria and first time to the 27, Ricky Johnson would take the long yardage honors after a shoot-off with Jaxen Brennan and Brandon Simonds.
Expert rifle shooter turned shotgun junkie Mike Griffith would take short yardage after a shoot-off with father/son duo Dustin & Wade Knutson. Mike is fairly new to the wonderful world of shotgun sports and with his first event win I think he is fully addicted. Young Wade wouldn’t come away empty handed as he topped the leader board from the 16-yard line and J.R. honors. That was while shooting a brand-new shotgun for the first time that day!! Great shooting Wade I don’t think your dad is disappointed with that purchase.
A heavenly feast was prepared by Rory Conger and my lovely wife Sheila Thorp for the whole crowd with plenty to go around, thank you very much Rory and Sheila it was fantastic.
As always, Ed Merrit jumped right in and took care of score keeping duties on field #2 and fresh off eye surgery was Butch Phillips keeping track of dead and lost birds on field #1 and doubles. He said his eye is already 100% better and we should watch out when he gets to swing his shotgun again. I would also like to thank Mike Griffith and his maintenance crew for mowing at the trap field, I really appreciate it.
Once again congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to Rory, Sheila, Butch, Ed, Braden, and everybody that jumped in to help with clean-up afterwards.
A special thank you to Ron Prescott for donating the added money and category trophies, that was really nice. Thank you again Ron!
Trap Awards
On another note, the Atascadero Trail Riders are having their Hank Savage Scholarship trap shoot on July, 11th and they would like to invite everyone to come on out and shoot, it’s for a great cause and a fun time. It consists of 75 16 yard targets with a nice cowboy buckle to the winner. The lunch that they put on is well worth the entry fee.
See you at the next shoot, Atascadero Trail Riders, July, 11th .
Remember head down and eye on the target
Pat
