Elk NetworkRMEF Helps Young Oregon Trapshooters

General | September 27, 2021

Just two years after starting its program, the Mountain View High School (MVHS) finished third at the Oregon State High School Clay Target League’s state championships. The club got off the ground thanks to support from the school, students, the community and sponsors that offered financial support.

“Nosler, Oregon Health Authority, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Deschutes County Sherriff’s Office have all been great to work with and very supportive of the team,” Kim Hurt, MVHS head coach, told the Source Weekly.

MVHS is in Bend, Oregon, but its clay target club actually includes students in grades 6-12 from different schools in the immediate area. It is booming in popularity with 49 participants, eight of which are girls. When COVID shut down most all other extracurricular activities, the club doubled in size. And the students who hone their shotgun skills, love it.

“It’s unique from a lot of the other sports. If you play basketball or soccer you’re competing as a team, but with trap, you’re competing as a team but also independently,” Tanner Varcoe, MVHS sophomore, told the Source Weekly.

Club officials place a heavy emphasis on safety, education, teambuilding and competition.

(Photo source: Mountain View High School Clay Target Club)