Party Like It’s 1899

The year is 1899. Organizations like Packard Motor Car Company, Kmart, and Wilsons Leather are optimistic as they launch their businesses, never for a minute thinking they won’t last forever. 

And yet today, you won’t find a Packard anywhere but in a museum or a classic car show. Blue Light Specials are remembered only by those of us with a little more salt than pepper - or no pepper at all. And that leather jacket you thought was so cool back then…well not so much. 

Why? Because it’s not easy to sustain anything for 125 years. Times change. People change. Things that once were, are no longer. And yet, there are, of course, organizations with incredible staying power that beat the odds and go on for who knows. Maybe forever.

One such organization, celebrating its 125th anniversary, is the Wisconsin Trapshooting Association (WTA), the state-wide organization tasked with supporting and growing the sport of trapshooting.

For those not familiar with the sport, trapshooting was originally developed, in part, to augment bird hunting and to provide an alternative method of practice. Targets called clay pigeons, or more commonly referred to simply as birds, are launched into the air only to be shattered by a keen-eyed shooter with a quick hand on the other end of a shotgun. 

Since its inception, in 1899, the WTA has sponsored, hosted, and sanctioned hundreds of events throughout the state. One of the premier events; The Wisconsin State Shoot, was held at various shooting clubs throughout the state until it found a permanent home at the Waukesha Gun Club. 

Then, in 2013, the Wisconsin State Shoot was moved to the new official home of the WTA - the WTA Shooting Complex and Learning Center in Rome, Wisconsin. The complex is one of the largest and most active facilities in the country. Sitting on 320 acres of forest land on the northside of town, a line of 30 “traps” spanning ¾ of a mile offer a wide variety of trapshooting experiences for people of all ages and skill levels. 

This year’s state shoot kicked off on July 9th with the hoisting of a very special American flag. The flag, which once flew over the nation’s capital in Washington, DC, along with its certificate of authenticity, was later awarded to one lucky - and patriotic - visitor in the ever-popular silent auction.

Contrary to what “state shoot” might suggest, participants came from not only Wisconsin, but from every corner of the country, making this event one of the best attended among all states. Nearly 1,500 shooters and supporters enjoyed the week-long event. Remarkably, almost 600,000 of the coaster-sized targets were catapulted high and wide before the event concluded Sunday night. Trophies were awarded In multiple categories, and fun was had by all - including those who may have missed a few more birds than they were hoping for. 

And even before the last car left the lot (I’m pretty sure it wasn’t a Packard), sights were set on next year and the 126th anniversary of the WTA and another successful state shoot. 

Congratulations WTA, on 125 years and at least 125 more.

The WTA Shooting Complex and Learning Center is located at 1312 Akron Dr, Nekoosa, WI 54457. Find out more about the WTA and  the 2024 state shoot HERE.

Written by: Lydell Capritta