FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions Table of Contents
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What are the requirements for the Pennsylvania All State Team ?
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Are you going to post a 2003 Pennsylvania State Shoot program ?
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What are the target requirements for the Keystone Open, State Shoot and the PA Grand?
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Is there going to be another "Gun Gala" at Elysburg again this year ?
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Why are there not more local shoot scores posted on the site?
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I have something to sell. Can I place a classified ad on your page?
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How is a "Modified Lewis Class" different from a regular Lewis Class?
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Can Junior and Sub-Juniors participate in an event at a reduced cost?
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I have a question that is not addressed on this FAQ Page. How can I get it answered?
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Who are eligible for trophies at the PSSA State Zone Shoots?
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What are the boundary lines for the Eastern and Western State Zones?
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Why aren't there any high school trapshooting leagues in Pennsylvania?
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I am a new shooter. Where can I get information that will help me?
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What are the requirements for the Pennsylvania All State Team?
For men, you must shoot 3000 singles, 2000 handicap and 1000 doubles plus shoot the HAA at the Pennsylvania State Shoot. For women, vets and juniors, you have to shoot 2000 singles, 1000 handicap and 500 doubles plus shoot the HAA at the Pennsylvania State Shoot. See requirements.
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Are you going to post a 2003 Pennsylvania State Shoot program ?
The 2003 program will be posted when it becomes available.
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Can I pre-squad online?
Sorry, but that would require credit cards and secure lines. We are not set up to do either of these. However, you can print a pre-squad form for any of the shoots at Elysburg for 2003 from your computer. Its easy. Just print the form when it is published on the site and follow the directions.
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What are the target requirements for the Keystone Open, State Shoot and the PA Grand?
The target requirements can be found under general information in the 2003 state shoot program.
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How can I lease a camping space for any shoot at Elysburg?
Many of our camping spaces have long term leases. However, we have reserved many spaces for single shoots only. Its easy to reserve a space. Click here to find camping space information.
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Is there going to be another "Gun Gala" at Elysburg again this year ?
There are currently no details as yet for the 2003 season.
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How can I find directions to my favorite gun club?
Gun Clubs are asked to supply directions to their clubs. We have made a very nice list of directions for many Pennsylvania Gun Clubs. Gun Club Directions
Does the PSSA give pins for 100's and 200's in singles?
We certainly do. The PSSA will award pins to contestants breaking either 100 or 200 straight targets for the first time at the PSSA grounds.
What is a "Bank System"?
A bank system is a collection of 4 traps that a shooter will shot on during a specific event. Bank 1 would usually be traps 1, 2, 3, and 4. Bank 2 would be traps 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Why are there not more local shoot scores posted on the site?
That's a good question. It could not be easier for a club to post their scores on this site, long before they appear in Trap and Field. Club management need only post the scores online from this site. If your club is not posting their scores, tell them to post them to this site.
Do you have an up to date e-mail directory?
Yes, you can go to our email page. If you want your email address on this page, let the webmaster know immediately.
How can I contact a PSSA Officer?
Go to our officers pages and check out their e-mail address.
I have something to sell. Can I place a classified ad on your page?
Yes you can. We have an expanding classified page for you to place your ad free of charge.
Just what is the Pennsylvania Jackpot Lewis?
All PA Jackpot Lewis purses will be divided into classes of
approximately 50 shooters - the minimum
number of classes per event will be three, and the maximum number of classes
will be six. Each class will be designated a PA Jackpot and will be divided as
follows:
First Jackpot Class - 60-40 Percentage
All Other Classes - One money each class.
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How is a "Modified Lewis Class" different from a regular Lewis Class?
In the modified Lewis, 35% of all money will be distributed to the top two
scores - 21% to the top
score and 14% to the second score. The third score will become the first of five
Lewis classes (13% each class) divided one money each class.
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What is the ATA Point System?
The ATA Point System is a system designed to insure that the more targets you
break, the more money you win. One money each five entries means that one-fifth
of all shooters entered in the purse will be winners. Low score in the money
will receive one point, next higher score will receive two points, etc., except
that the difference between the first and second scores will be four points, and
the difference between second and third high scores will be three points. The
total points awarded will be divided into the total money to determine the value
of each point. The amount the shooter will receive is the total of the value of
each point multiplied by his total number of points.
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Why did the PSSA raise target prices?
PSSA has diligently worked to control expenses so that the cost of targets could be held at a reasonable level, and no increase in the cost of targets is ever approved without a great deal of discussion.
In an attempt to alleviate the chronic labor shortage which has plagued the PSSA, ATA, and most other states in the last few years, the PSSA is raising the wages paid to trap line personnel. The money raised through the increase in target prices will be used EXCLUSIVELY for trap line wages.
Other capital expenditures are financed through previously budgeted dollars and normal expenditures and payroll will be met through traditional means. The acquisition of automatic traps through Project A-TRAP is a totally separate financial plan and is no way associated with the increase in the cost of targets.
What is the "Mid 50's" jackpot on PSSA Handicap events?
A special option is offered in all handicap events for the Middle 50 only.
You must play this option to be eligible. Only a score of 50X50 on the Middle 50
will be eligible. All tie 50’s will split the money. In the event there is no
50 straight on the Middle 50 the money will carry over to the next handicap
event. The money will not carry over from shoot to shoot (State Shoot
Preliminary Days and Main Days are treated as two separate shoots for this
Jackpot). If there is no 50X50 on the Middle 50 in the last handicap event of a
shoot, the money will be paid to the highest eligible score (and ties) on the
Middle 50 of that last event.
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Can Junior and Sub-Juniors participate in an event at a reduced cost?
PSSA will deduct $10.00 from all target prices for juniors and sub- juniors
who choose to forfeit the right to play options. THIS
DECLARATION MUST BE MADE AT THE TIME OF INITIAL CLASSIFICATION, AND IS
IRREVOCABLE FOR THE DURATION OF THE SHOOT. (Example 1; If you choose to
play options in the first event you enter, you are not eligible for reduced
price targets for the remainder of the shoot: Example 2: If you choose reduced
price targets in your first event, that choice is binding on all events and you
may not play any options for the remainder of the shoot). PSSA is committed to
helping our sport by encouraging young shooters to participate, but will not
subsidize the playing of options.
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I have a question that is not addressed on this FAQ
Page.
How can I get it answered?
Feedback from our audience is very valuable to us, and we welcome it. Please
use our feedback button to seek answers to any question you might have and we
will make every effort to reply with your answer promptly. 
Who are eligible for trophies at the PSSA State Zone Shoots?
If a "western zone shooter" competes at the PSSA Eastern Zone Shoot, he or she is not eligible for resident eastern zone trophies. If a "eastern zone shooter" competes at the PSSA Western Zone Shoot, he or she is not eligible for resident western zone trophies. That's why they are called resident (lives in the eastern or western zone) trophies.
The PSSA purchases two sets of trophies, one set for the Western Zone Shoot and the other set for the Eastern Zone Shoot. A "western zone shooter" may not shoot for eastern zone trophies, nor can a "eastern zone shooter" shoot for western zone trophies. Of course, they can shoot any PSSA Zone Shoot they desire.
Out of state shooters are always welcome at these zone shoots and are eligible for the "open" trophies.
What are the boundary lines for the Eastern and Western State Zones?
There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania with 35 counties comprising the Eastern Zone and 32 counties comprising the Western Zone. To see the boundary line, click on the map page.
Why aren't there any high school trapshooting leagues in Pennsylvania?
There have been several attempts in Pennsylvania to establish trap shooting teams and leagues within high
schools. Most if not all have been unsuccessful for several reasons:
1. School Boards are very reluctant to accept liability for any sport or activity that has to do with gun. High school rifle teams have been eliminated from many (if not all) high schools in Pennsylvania. Two reasons are usually given: 1. liability, and 2. lead pollution. (I know, the second reason is really stretching, but I can give you the names of two school districts that used that reasoning.)
2. If the Board did establish a team, the school district would have to purchase trap guns and ammo for participants. Every student must have the opportunity to participate whether or not the family can provide equipment.
3. There are few if any "qualified" coaches and instructors for the sport. I do not know of any college or university in the state of PA that provides instruction in trap shooting for prospective teachers. The State does not have a certification in trapshooting for teachers as they do in Phys. Ed., English, History, Math, etc.
4. School districts don't own a facility capable of supporting trap shooting. (Many of the old rifle teams practiced somewhere under a school building.)
I am not justifying the lack of trap teams or the demise of rifle teams, I am just giving you what my experience has been as a teacher in one of the largest independent school districts in Pennsylvania. A school district's greatest argument is LIABILITY.
What can you as a parent do? Pick a local gun (sportsmen's) club that has a responsibility cadre and a facility devoted to trap shooting. Support and shoot at that club. Support local trap and skeet leagues. They are gearing up at this time of year for Summer Leagues. If you son or daughter continues to be interested in the sport, join the ATA, and attempt to provide the child with an introduction to the competitive side of shooting. When it comes time for college, look at places like Purdue, Mason, and other universities that have trap shooting teams. Make your guidance counselors look for those schools. If they can't help, the ATA and the NRA can. Each year at the Grand American there is a national college competition for colleges and universities from all over the country.
Let your school district know that there are students in their district who are competent trap, skeet, rifle shooters and are looking for high school competition. Let them know that there are parents interested in providing this kind of
competition/recreation for their children.
I'm sure that the school district will respond with a Columbine answer: "We don't want that in our schools."
Your answer : "Maybe if those schools would have taken an interest in our sport, and children instructed properly, things like Columbine wouldn't happen.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission supports Hunter Safety Courses, and many sportsmen's clubs incorporate some shooting in the courses they offer. The NRA and the ATA have designed beginning
trap/skeet shooting courses. Perhaps they can help.
Thank you for asking the question. You made me sit down and write what I should have written long ago. We should all think seriously about this problem.
I'm told that a wise man said, "The father who takes his son hunting today, won't have to hunt for him tomorrow."
Bruce Murphy, President
PSSA
I am a new shooter. Where can I get information that will help me?
We have set up a special page for new or novice shooters on this website. Please go to that page and check out the information.
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