The Crookston Gun Club kicked off its 2026 Summer Trap League last week, but is looking for more teams to join. The league runs for ten weeks at the gun club, located at 26251 240th Street SW in Crookston, through August 12, with league shooting on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. until dark.
The league got off to a slower start this year due to some turnover amongst the volunteers that run the gun club. “We just started the league for the summer last week, just kind of got a little bit behind the eight ball on this one,” said trap chairperson Randy Prudhomme. “We had some of the other volunteers, they’ve been doing it for 15 to 20 years, they said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna kind of step back’, so just trying to figure out who can fill in their big shoes.”
A new feature of the league this year is the introduction of handicap scoring, determined after the first three weeks of league play, which helps keep the league more competitive, especially for newer shooters. Prudhomme explained, “It’s kind of similar to bowling that way, the teams like, hey, we want this trophy for our team. Well, not only do you have to shoot against the person, but you have to shoot against your handicap, just like bowling or golf. It just makes it a little more competitive for everybody.”
At the conclusion of the league, the top two scoring teams will receive awards, as well as the high gun overall, ladies’ high gun, seniors’ high gun, and juniors’ high gun.
Prior experience is not required, and the public is welcome to attend and see what the league and gun club are all about. “If you’ve never done it, number one, I’ll be out there, I’m the coach for the high school team. I can show you,” said Prudhomme. “We also have a lot of experienced shooters out there who just want more people out there, not only just to create the fellowship, but also to have a little more competition. Just really puts them on their toes again, too, like, oh, I got ten teams to beat instead of four, so if you’ve never done it, don’t worry, come with an open mind. We will definitely show you how it works.”
Registration for the league ends on June 17. Each team pays a $100 sponsorship, with each team member also paying $120 per adult and $80 per junior for season costs, including clay targets and house fees. Shooters must also provide their own gun, ammo, and safety protection (eye goggles, earplugs, etc). Anyone with questions about the league or the gun club can contact Prudhomme at 218-280-0264.
