In our Training Tips columns, you’ll find some helpful insight from Paul Giambrone III on what it should look like when a squad takes to the skeet field, while Bill Elliott offers some tips on how to train for sporting clays on the trap field when you can’t get all the way out to a sporting course.

The skeet season has kicked off, and the biggest event of the spring, the Triple J Classic, gets full coverage in this issue. On the sporting clays side, American shooter Braxton Oliver’s big win on the world stage is celebrated in our World English Sporting Clays Championship coverage.

When it comes to advice and helpful tips, we have plenty of reading for you. Victoria Stellato advises skeet shooters on how to reach their goals, while Todd Bender offers eight signs that you might need an instructor. Clayton Rue has some tips for sporting clays shooters who are struggling with targets that aren’t thrown in a straight line in his “Nonlinear Algebra” article. If you’re thinking of hosting a charity shoot at your club, you’ll appreciate our article from someone who has been there and done that (successfully), and don’t miss Haylyn Hanks’ article on eye health. Finally, we asked three skeet champions about the guns they used to win a world championship, and you’ll appreciate the answers from Houston Deshotels, Melissa Hinton and Kevin Monteleone.

Advertisers in the June issue are:

• Atlas Traps
• Briley
• Caesar Guerini
• Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing
• Elite
• Federal
• Fiocchi
• Lockton Affinity
• Negrini
• NWTF
• Orion Outdoors
• Pacific Sporting Arms
• Paxton Arms
• Promatic
• Remington
• Robert Louis Company
• Safari Club International (SCI)
• Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
• Winchester/White Flyer
• Wrapid Comb
• Zoli

Clay Target Nation is available monthly to all members in digital and/or print form. Not a member? You can receive the next issue when you join at http://nssa-nsca.org/join-nssa-nsca/.

Gary developed a deep passion for skeet shooting after joining Middleton Sportsmen’s club in the 1970s, going on to build an accomplished competitive career. He earned multiple All-State and All-American honors, along with several major titles, including state championships. Following his retirement, he devoted more time to the sport and achieved some of his greatest successes. Gary also gave back to the skeet shooting community through leadership roles with the Sauk Prairie Gun Club and the Wisconsin Skeet Shooting Association, leaving a lasting impact on the sport he loved.

Gary was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2014, a challenge he faced with remarkable courage and resilience. His lifelong commitment to staying active helped sustain both his physical and mental strength for many years. His determination and quiet strength were an inspiration to all who knew him.

Gary is survived by his wife of over 65 years, Nancy; two children, four grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter. He will be remembered for his love of the outdoors, his devotion to family, his many talents, and the life he built with Nancy.

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the National Skeet Shooting Association in honor of Gary’s lifelong passion for skeet shooting.

The NSSA community will miss Gary, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and many friends.
 

David held the club very close to his heart, caring about each person who walked through the doors. He often spoke of the community not as customers or members, but as an extended family, and that connection meant everything to him.

David graduated from Mayer Lutheran High School in 1992 and attended Concordia University in St. Paul, where he studied business, played football, served as student body president, and formed lifelong friendships. Hospitality was central to who David was. When he had the opportunity to purchase the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club, he embraced it wholeheartedly, often working seven days a week to create a special experience for members and the surrounding community. He was deeply committed to preserving the time-honored tradition of hunting and ensuring it was passed on responsibly to future generations, always with respect for the sport. David was known for his generosity, his passion for the club, and his genuine care for others. He was known as a man of integrity, kindness and compassion. A natural leader, he viewed the world with optimism and possibility.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, Minnesota, at 11:15 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, followed by a reception featuring some of David’s favorite foods and Arnie Palmers.

You can see David’s full obituary here.

NSCA extends its deepest sympathies to David’s family, the Minnesota Horse and Hunt family, and the many friends touched by his passing.

This email is not from us, but instead appears to be a phishing email that may contain harmful links. If you receive such an email, or any email that does not appear to be authentic, DO NOT CLICK on any buttons or links in the email. Instead, report it as spam in your email platform and delete it without clicking any links.

We do not verify contact information by sending it to you in this manner. Instead, we require clubs and members to login to a secure site to review and update your information, as needed. Any email from us will be sent from an address including @nssa-nsca.com. If you ever receive an email you are unsure is from us, check the return address first; if you still aren’t sure, you are welcome to contact us at nssa@nssa-nsca.com or nsca@nssa-nsca.com, 210-688-3371, to verify BEFORE you click on a link.

We regret any inconvenience and hope this has not affected you.
 

Born on June 26, 1952, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Jackie spent her early years in the Reading area before later relocating to Florida. She eventually settled in Owego, New York, where she lived for many years. In recent years, she split her time between Owego, New York, and Vero Beach, Florida, enjoying both the warmth of the coast and the community she had built in New York.

Jacqueline was an accomplished competitive sporting clays shooter who earned many awards throughout her years in the sport. Known for her precision, focus, and determination, she took great pride in her achievements and the discipline the sport required. Unfortunately, she was unable to shoot for the past several years due to her health. She was also known for her great sense of humor and an enduring spirit that left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

Family and friends are invited to visit at Richards Funeral Home, 3670 Waverly Rd. Owego, NY 13827 on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 5-8 p.m. Family and friends will then gather at Gaskill Corners Cemetery on Gaskill Rd. in Owego on Saturday May 2, at 11 a.m. for a graveside service, followed by a reception at the Heritage Baptist Church in Campville, NY.

Jackie leaves behind many cherished family members and friends whose lives she touched, and we extend our condolences to them. She will be greatly missed by NSCA members and staff.
 

We appreciate your patience as we complete these improvements. Our team is working diligently to finalize and share this information, and we look forward to recognizing our members very soon.

Thank you for your continued support of NSSA and NSCA.

In the meantime, points can be earned and spent until the program ends. The five-year points expiration timeline remains in place.

Items will be removed from the store as inventory is exhausted. High-inventory items will be offered at discounted point pricing and will be announced as that happens. During the last three months of the program in 2027, everything remaining will go on sale with deep discounts.

You can find your points on your My Home Page. Go to the Members tab, and you’ll find My Home Page at the top of the dropdown menu. In addition to seeing the number of points you have available, there is a Spend Points button that takes you to the catalog.

After months of collaboration with a leading sports marketing agency, a cross-organizational team is proud to unveil a bold new visual identity for both organizations — including striking new logos and an upgraded digital experience that reintroduces the thrill of clay target sports to the world.

The revamped website user experience is designed to welcome newcomers who are curious about the games and eager to get involved, while still delivering the stats, standings, and resources members rely on. It’s a bridge between tradition and tomorrow—built for both first-time visitors and lifelong shooters.

While the full website experience rolls out in the coming months, today we’re thrilled to reveal our new logos — the first wave of transformation you’ll begin seeing across social media.

In 2026, this fresh branding will extend to official apparel, achievement patches and certificates, and signage across the National Headquarters and National Shooting Complex.

Why This Matters

It’s been decades since our logos have been refreshed. These new designs are more than just modern — they’re meaningful. They honor our history while reflecting the energy and momentum of today’s clay target community. For current members, they represent a bold new flag to fly. For future members, they signal that something dynamic is happening here — and they’re invited.

The Story Behind the NSSA Logo

Twin Houses, Timeless Challenge: The iconic high and low house targets immediately connect us to the skeet fields we know and love. The motion trails bring the clays to life, highlighting the speed, skill, and split-second decisions that define the sport.

10 Stars, One Community: Representing the 9 zones and member countries, plus headquarters in San Antonio, Texas — this is a symbol of our unified global family.

Red, White and Blue: Proudly echoing the colors of the American flag, our palette reflects both heritage and patriotism.

Four Gauges, Four Stripes: The varying-weight stripes salute the 12, 20, 28, and .410 gauges — each with its own legacy and challenge in the sport of skeet.

Custom “Clay Pigeon” Font: A font that’s all our own was designed to highlight the speed associated with our sports and the personality of our brand.

The Story Behind the NSCA Logo

Incoming Clay, Instant Reaction: The centerpiece is a fast-incoming target—symbolizing both the thrill of the sport and the focus it demands.

5 Stars, 5 Regions: Each star represents one of the five NSCA regions across the U.S.

Red, White and Blue: The national colors connect us to our roots, our country, and the pride we carry into competition.

Four Tails, Four Gauges: The trailing motion arcs represent 12, 20, 28, and .410—capturing their diversity and dynamism in every shot.

Custom “Clay Pigeon” Font: Designed to reflect the motion, speed, and dynamism of our sport, the logo’s distinct font helps our brand stand out.

 
This new identity marks a thrilling next chapter for both organizations — an invitation to grow, evolve, and welcome the next generation of shooters. We’re proud of where we’ve been, and even more excited about where we’re going.

Join us in celebrating the future of clay target sports. It’s time to aim higher!

Born in 1947, Jim lived a life defined by service, integrity, and devotion to his country, to his family, and to the sport and community he cherished. His decades of military service reflected extraordinary professionalism and courage. As a Vietnam veteran, he embodied the values of sacrifice and commitment that shaped his life and inspired all who knew him.

Within the NSSA, across Zone 4, and throughout the North Carolina Skeet Association, Jim was a respected and steady presence. His leadership, mentorship, and genuine care for shooters of every age and experience level strengthened the sport and enriched countless lives. His influence and contributions, both visible and behind the scenes, will endure for generations. Jim served several terms as an NSSA Director and Executive Committee member, and in 2023, he was inducted into the NSSA Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Ray Boller Award for extraordinary service to NSSA and the sport of skeet.

Our hearts are heavy today, but we take comfort knowing that Jim is in a better place.

Jim is survived by his wife and partner Belinda, whose steadfast devotion to Jim, especially through difficult and trying times, has been an extraordinary example of grace, compassion, and unwavering love, caring for Jim with dignity and strength.

On behalf of the entire skeet community and the many lives Jim touched, we honor his memory and celebrate a life exceptionally well lived. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

We’re pleased to introduce the official NSSA-NSCA Membership Mobile App, designed to make your membership easier and more connected than ever. Everything you need is right at your fingertips:

• Access your digital membership card
• View your current classification and shoot history
• Find clubs and events near you
• Access the NSSA and NSCA Rule Books
• …and so much more!

Log in using the same credentials you use for the nssa-nsca.org website and start exploring today!

Get it now on the Apple App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Select the appropriate button below to download.

The Membership App is separate from the NSSA and NSCA Event apps. The event apps will still be utilized for the Championship events.