Program Overview

HHS Clay Target Team Mission and Goals

Hopkins Clay Target Team Mission Statement: The Hopkins High School Clay Target Team has as its mission to emphasize the positive influence the shooting sports can have in a athletes life. We will do this by providing a safe, comfortable, positive environment that enhances the participant’s self-concept, character, and personal growth through safe, educational, and socially acceptable involvement in shooting sports, while promoting the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, teamwork, and ethical behavior.

Our goals are:

1. To instill in each team member safe, responsible handling and storage of firearms.

2. To guide each team member as they develop a proficiency in a sport that can be shared and enjoyed with family, friends, and community for a lifetime.

3. To help each team member reach his/her potential both within and outside of the Clay Target sports.

4. Provide club members with Adult Volunteer Leaders who are positive role models and mentors—adults that model and teach kids character while they teach kids the proper use of and respect for firearms as well as respect for other people.

5. To strengthen connections within families and school communities through lifelong recreational shooting sports activities.

6. We will continue to raise our expectations of our program, our coaches and our athletes.    

7. We will maximize our range time in order to provide our athletes with the best opportunity for continued growth and success.

8.  We will work to keep the costs associated with the program as low as possible as to not hinder participation.

Program Eligibility

1. Each athlete must be currently enrolled in Hopkins Public Schools, or be a member of our school community via home schooling and a member in current good standing. Good standing includes but is not limited to the following: 

a. Academic, (maintain a C average) 

b. Behavior,  (office/classroom referrals as well as school rule/policy violations) 

c. Chemical, as set fourth by the school the MSHSL and the MSHSCTL.

2. Athletes must be over the age of 12 and possess a current Firearms Safety Certificate as provided by the State of Minnesota. MN DNR Firearms Safety

3. Athletes must pay all fees associated with this activity.

4. Athletes must provide their own transportation to and from Park Sportsman’s Club. 

5. Practice Days - Tuesday's 3:45 - 5:15pm. OR Wednesday's 3:45 - 5:15pm. (dependent upon current year schedule)

6. Athletes must have access to a firearm suitable for the sport of Trap - either 12 or 20 gauge.

7. Athletes must have the following safety equipment - Eye Protection, Ear Protection, Shell Pouch, Shell Catcher - (for pumps and semi auto) Snap Caps, Barrel Pad (for all break open style firearms)

8. All athletes will register with the MSHCTL prior to the season's start.

9. * Any athlete that does not attend the annual team safety meeting will NOT be eligible for the team. Safety meeting dates will be communicated each season and can also be found on our team calendar. There are NO exceptions to this rule.

10. The club strives to adhere to all rules and regulations set fourth by the Minnesota State High School League.

* Regarding eligibility - please note that meeting the above criteria only makes an athlete eligible.

Additional criteria for team membership is as follows considering a cap at 30 athletes. 

    1. Any returning club member in good standing.

    2. Preference will be given to new athletes by grade level with the understanding that younger students will have future opportunities to join.

    3. Meeting the criteria of - Hunter/firearm safety certification - Transportation - Access to a firearm.

    4. Any addition conflicts will be resolved by using the date that the athletes application was received.

Varsity Status Determination - At the end of week #3 we take our top 10 athletes by average and declare Varsity status. Those athletes will practice 100 rounds on Wednesday's and will incur additional program costs (Shot Shells and Targets) In addition Varsity athletes are expected to practice outside of our regular practice times  and report scores to the head coach. Varsity athletes must also make them selves available for the MSHSCTL Championships in Alexandria. Athletes may "opt out" of Varsity status if they choose. More information will be provided as the season moves forward.

Equipment

• All students must have the appropriate firearm in accordance with ATA and Park Gun Club rules and bylaws.

• Required Safety Equipment: All club members and coaches must wear protective eye and ear protection during all competitive and non-competitive events when within the confines of a Trap, field.

• Firearm Transportation: All Firearms must be transported in accordance with State & Federal transportation laws. Firearms on any Hopkins Public Schools campus is strictly prohibited. Any student in violation of these rules would be subject to local, state and federal penalties.

Fees for 2025

Est. $ 425 = $80 per Shot Shell Flat - $7.00 per target round (10 week season)

1. Shot Shells - Rookies & JV, 3 Cases - Varsity, 4 Cases

2. Targets - Rookies and JV - 50 rds. per session - Varsity 100 rds per session (this includes: practice, competitions, fun shoot)

3. Team Shirt/Uniform Est. $45 - $55

    *The above fee will cover Junior Varsity, Varsity and Rookies athletes for the entire season. 

MSHSCTL - Hopkins High School Clay Target Team is a member of, and participates in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League. The league administers and provides weekly competition as well as an online “virtual” league where participants can keep track of scores and track weekly competitions and development. The MSHSCTL also administers the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League State Tournament held in Alexandria Minnesota in early June. More information about the league can be found on their website.

League Divisions/Classifications.

• Varsity - average 19 - 25 

• Jr. Varsity - average 15 - 18.99

• Novice - average 0 - 14.99

Season - March - June

Ten weeks practice/MSHSCTL competitions beginning Tuesday, April 1st and ending June 19th, from 3:45 p.m. until 5:30.

MSHSCTL State Tournament June TBD, Alexandria Minnesota

Minnesota State High School League "Tournament of Champions" at Minneapolis Gun Club

Weekly Practice

For the first three weeks of the season - Returning athletes will practice during the Tuesday time period. New athletes will practice on Wednesday's. Beginning week four - ALL selected Varsity athletes will practice on Wednesday's and the remained of the team will practice on Tuesday's.

Location

Park Sportsman’s Club

• Directions: Park Gun Club is located west on old Hwy 12 one mile outside of Long Lake. (approx. 15 min from HHS)

• http://www.shootpsc.com/

Minnesota State High School Clay Target League Trap Shooting Championship - The MSHSCTL season officially culminates with the MSHSCTL Trap Shooting Championship held each year in Alexandria, Minnesota. All classifications Varsity, Junior Varsity, Novice of Hopkins athletes are strongly encouraged to participate. More information regarding this event can be found on the MSHSCTL page.

Minnesota State High School League State Tournament - In addition to the MSHSCTL Trap Shooting Championship the Minnesota State High School League sponsors the Minnesota State High School League State Tournament. This tournament is by invitation or qualification ONLY. Only "individuals" with a season average in the top 100 statewide or high Varsity squad at the MSHSCTL Trap Shooting Championships are invited to attend this prestigious event.