Page 33 - May/June 2022 Outdoor Oklahoma

He is in charge of preparing most everything
needed to operate the ODWC events, getting DON P. BROWN/ODWC DON P. BROWN/ODWC
it all to the sites, setting up, keeping every-
thing running as smoothly as possible, then
tearing down and hauling it back to prep for
the next event.
Much of his job involves inventory and
maintenance. ODWC furnishes all of the
Assistant coordinator Jason Smith loads
shotshells and clay targets for the competi- shotshells into the OKSSSP trailer that goes to
each event hauling all the necessary items for Jason Smith loads a target thrower
tion shooting events. So before each shoot, holding a successful competition. into the OKSSSP trailer.
Smith calculates how many boxes of targets
and ammo will be needed for the expected
number of shooters. Based on the number of DANIEL GRIFFITH/ODWC
teams registered, he determines now many
trapshooting fields must be open so all of the
youths can shoot in a day.
Smith said he begins preparing everything
in January for the first regional tournament
in March. All the while, he’s stashing the nec-
essary gear in OKSSSP’s custom-designed
25-foot trailer, which he hauls to each event.
On the trailer are five American Trap Preparing scorecards and checking in teams at registration are among the clerical
tasks handled during an event.
Association target throwing machines, nearly
12,000 clay targets, 100 cases of shotshells,
about two dozen shotguns, barricades, sig- DANIEL GRIFFITH/ODWC
nage, and supply bins for each field that
include vision and hearing protection for all
shooters, first aid, ammo pouches, and scor-
ing supplies.
Smith, along with other ODWC employ-
ees in the Education section, arrives on site
the day before a scheduled shoot. He and
the crew then work to set up all of the trap
fields that will be used early the next morning.
Event workers keep the target throwers filled with clay targets throughout the day.
“Basically we have everything ready to just
Below: OKSSSP shooters grab vision and hearing protection along with a box of
turn the switch on and start shooting.” shotshells right before heading to the pad.
During the shoot, Smith is sometimes
serving as a field judge, or floating around DANIEL GRIFFITH/ODWC
to handle any glitches that arise. Sometimes
machines or equipment will break down, and
Smith will evaluate to decide whether to try
to make repairs or move the team to a differ-
ent field.

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