by Fred Hernandez
It is an old sport to be sure but in Custer County it is the latest for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 18. Recently formed by Todd Byerly and a group of local “aficionados” this new team called the Custer County Clay Busters is starting out with about fifteen members. The coaches are Todd Byerly, Jerry Tracewell and Kirk Meir. Their booster club, which will oversee fundraising and other club activities, has Reggie Foster, Mike Foster and Jillian Dinsmore.
It was in the late 1800s in England when clay targets began to be used instead of live birds being shot as they flew out of traps or cages. There are many forms or disciplines to this sport but most of them can fit three main headings: trap, skeet and sporting. The English Sporting discipline has the biggest following due to its variety and the many choices it affords as far as angles, speeds, distances and elevations is concerned thus giving the shooter best challenges for his talents.
Today there are about twenty six states in the country that participate in this program sponsored by the Colorado Clay Target League. Mostly affiliated with schools, it is billed as America’s safest and fastest growing high school sport. The league has a target (pun intended) of one hundred thousand (that’s 100,000) students participating in the sport by the year 2025. The State of Colorado has about 16 teams that participate. (See websites: Colorado Clay Targets League and Colorado Clay Targets).
At the moment, the rules for competition are simple: the team goes to the range and after their performance the scores are submitted online to Colorado Clay League.
The season is from April through May and aside from state competitions held usually in Brighton, Colorado, there will be national competitions as well — usually held in Mason, Michigan, in July (these are by invitation only.)
It is easy to join; simply call Todd Byerly at 806-239-6333. There is a small fee to cover sundry expenses and insurance. The club is looking forward with anticipation to many more activities in the near future. Corporate sponsorships are also available as well as the formation of corporate teams to compete among each other.
Here’s wishing the Custer County Clay Busters Happy Shooting!