National shoot competes at Stockdale's
Evidence of that came recently as the Stockdale Gun Club hosted the Central Division Shoot in Ackley, part of a national shoot held at three different sites, Aug. 5-8. A gathering
of shooters from across the Midwest came together for four days of competition, camaraderie and a chance
to excel nationally. The next week, Stockdale attended another national shoot in Ohio.
That event, held for the past 100 years, brings in 5,000 national shooters and is sponsored by the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA). The ATA is the central organizer of trapshooting in the United States, with 35,000 members. Other functions of the ATA organization include being the sport's rules-maker and record keeper.
To host a national shoot, as a club in Iowa gets to do once every three years, local facilities must have at least eight shooting stations - Stockdale's has 10. New machines installed by Stockdale also allow for the shooting of singles, doubles and handicaps. A metal building offers concessions, a place to eat, the selling of ammunition and a chance to visit with other shooters.
"All of this is right out in the middle of a cornfield in Iowa," quipped Stockdale. "We throw the most competitive targets in the state, and are the largest privately owned facility like this in Iowa." That is not bragging for Stockdale, but the truth, as backed up by a bevy of satisfied patrons.

Unsolicited testimony
Neil Winston, the central zone vice president of the ATA, was in Ackley for the divisional shoot. As one of five regional zone representatives to the national organization, Winston has the ability to argue points of view for the Midwest - and see firsthand the quality of Stockdale's facility as it ranks among the nation's best.
"The backbone of trapshooting is clubs like this, local shooting at local clubs, with organizers that keep it on the 'up and up,'" said Winston.
"The Stockdale Club is one of the best local clubs in country - it throws very good targets, has the best equipment here, is well-maintained and has a very friendly atmosphere," Winston commented.
He acknowledges the misunderstanding and lack of information about trapshooting with the general public. That is one reason he is excited about facilities like those operated by Stockdale. "They are really in the business of promoting trapshooting," he stated.
League shooting in local clubs is becoming more and more popular, noted Winston. "Trapshooting is for young people and those 80, a lifetime sport - and most of those involved shoot a lot," he said.
"The ATA is an organization that allows serious shooters to develop consistency and ability to go anywhere and participate," Winston continued. It is a complicated organization - which grants rights for shoots like this - and also for him to come and make presentations for bigger shoots, he added.
As a shooter himself for 25 years, hailing from St. Paul, Minn., Winston relished the chance to knock "birds" from the sky at the central division shoot. He also noted the upcoming Labor Day shoot at Stockdale's is one nationally renowned.
Among those adding testimonial to the addictive nature of trapshooting at the central division shoot were 60-year-old Larry Swartz and 66-year-old Gene Schwickerath of Waterloo. Swartz took a 30-year hiatus from shooting but has returned simply for the love of the sport. "I got back into it because I can afford it now and am retired. This is one of the better clubs in Iowa, with a good facility, and throws good targets and is well-run."
Schwickerath concurred, himself back in the game after a 37-year lapse "I love the enjoyment of the sport." He relates how two of his boys are in skeet shooting, with one of those competing at the Olympic level. One shot for the Army team as well. "It is like a disease - you just can't walk away from it," concluded Schwickerath.

Swedish machine is club's pride and joy
The fame and facilities at Stockdale's has even reached across the Atlantic, all the way to Sweden. Peter Gustafsson, who lives an hour and a half west of Stockholm, built the new target throwing machines Stockdale has purchased, with a company run by himself and his brother.
"It was crazy, there was a lack of good machines and we wanted it done right," said Gustafsson of the throwing equipment available. "So we figured out a way to do it - we wanted to have a machine like the old Winchester machine - that wouldn't break targets and was easy to maintain." Gustafsson had traveled to Ackley for the sole purpose of checking on the success of his machines in the local market - and to sneak in a little trapshooting himself. He was also to have a booth set up at the Ohio national shoot featuring his throwing machine.
Having spent eight years listening to shooters and local operators, Gustafsson and his brother developed what Stockdale calls a "premium machine. Our old throwers held just one clay bird, while this one holds 560. It is also very clean, with very little dust and almost no premature breakage of the birds," noted Stockdale.
The ability to participate in a growing sport enjoyed around the world is what Stockdale feels his facility offers. Regardless of age, motivation or ability, Stockdale sees trapshooting like virtually every other shooter does - a pastime that can be as serious or as leisurely as each individual wants it to be.
"But once people try it, they will be hooked," he added with a twinkle in his eye.