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40 PULLUSA MAGAZINE SPRING 2025 THE FIELD INSIGH T are learning important life lessons like how to be a team player, the i m p o r t a n c e o f c o m m u n i c a t i o n , responsibility, and other skills to improve themselves. If you're a member of the outdoor m e d i a , c o n s i d e r g i v i n g c ove r a g e to your local clay-target shooting s p o r t s t e a m s. T h e r e i s n o s h o r t- age of great human interest stories available among the thousands of student athletes and their coaches on League teams located around the country, with timeless themes like confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork on full display. What's even more amazing is seeing first- hand how a shared love of the Sec- ond Amendment and competitive shooting can bring people together at a match. When it comes to celebrating our shared American values and cher- ished outdoor traditions, it's really hard to beat the USA Clay Target League. Getting kids involved in the fun of shotgun shooting has never b e e n e a s i e r. I t i s my f i r m b e l i e f that student athletes competing i n L e a g u e p r o g r a m s, a l o n g w i t h their families, coaches, volunteers, and match officials, are among this country's finest citizens. Their sto- ries need to be told. Even just sharing some photos or a short video to social media from a l o c a l U S A C l a y Ta r g e t L e a g u e match can make a difference. Even b e t t e r — s c r i b e a s h o r t w r i t e - u p a b o u t a r e c e n t c o m p et i t i o n a n d send it, along with a few photos, to shootingsportsusa@nrahq.org for inclusion in the Score Sheets section of Shooting Sports USA, the NRA's competitive shooting journal (don't forget the scores and winners). ✪ Fostering a love for the shooting sports in young people is crucial t o p r e s e r v i n g A m e r i c a 's S e c o n d A m e n d m e n t h e r i t a g e . T h e U S A Clay Target League's youth shoot- i n g p r o g r a m s a r e p o p u l a r f o r a r e a s o n — t h e r e 's s o m et h i n g f o r everybody, including trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, and more. It's the only youth clay target shoot- ing sports program that requires a p p r o v a l f r o m t h e s c h o o l f o r teams to be allowed to participate. Student athletes compete safely o n s c h o o l - s p o n s o r e d c l ay t a r g et teams alongside traditional " ball and stick" sports like baseball, bas- ketball, and football. Plus, the kids FUN FACT With another record-breaking season underway, there are over 39,000 stories waiting to be told. s the USA Clay Target League continues to shatter participation records at the national level, it's important to recognize the League's impact on youth shooting sports in America. Since it began in 2008 as a provider of safe and fun clay target competition for secondary and postsecondary schools, the League's programs have helped many thousands of high school, college, and homeschool student athletes expand their shotgun competition horizons. Although it's been on a meteoric rise, the League needs your help in spreading the word about its youth clay target competition programs. LOCAL MATCHES NEED LOVE by JOHN PARKER - Editor in Chief, Shooting Sports USA HELP TELL THE STORY OF THE USA CLAY TARGET LEAGUE AND YOUTH SHOTGUN COMPETITION IN AMERICA