From left are Stephanie Tutmaher, coach and adviser for the Brocton, Chautauqua Lake and Westfield Fish & Game Club trap team. She was honored Monday with an award presented by Daniel “Butch” Ficarra and Rose Corbran, right.

In Jerry Kinney’s mind, his request was a bit of a long shot. Before the holiday season, he pitched a proposal at a Fredonia Central School board meeting to begin a district trap club.

Shortly after January, the longtime environmental conservation officer received his answer. By unanimous vote, the school board backed the program — and named Kinney one of the advisers.

What a journey he began.

In its first season, Fredonia competed in a conference of eight other schools, and finished third overall. Six students finished in the top 25 out of a total of 131 students in the conference. In addition, the team competed in a state competition outside of Syracuse, finishing in third place overall.

This was not about beginner’s luck. It was a commitment by students — and three advisers — who took advantage of an opportunity to participate in what has become a growing sport.

Just as important, it appealed to students who usually do not participate in athletics.

“When I heard the creation of this club coming about, I was overjoyed,” Trap Club President Ethan Willebrandt said. “As soon as I started getting into the club, I felt like I had a place to be. It was the first time that I felt this is a perfect fit, this is a place where I can belong, and a place where I had fun and would do 100 times out of 100.”

This week, Kinney was one of the key speakers during the Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs annual dinner that was held at the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club. Along with Charles Dole, director of Southern Tier Scholastic Youth Trap League, both talked about the importance and responsibility that come from this area’s youth participating.

Trap teams are a group of competitive shooters who aim at airborne targets called “birdies” with points awarded for hitting the target. Trap shooting is a co-ed activity, in which students involved must be at least 12 years of age. While some school districts pick up the costs associated with the sport, many of the teams have to do their own fundraising to make the spring season happen.

Dole noted during the league’s early years, two county districts — Sherman and Ripley — participated. Since then, the numbers have grown.

During the most recent season, 25 teams participated in the competitions. Those schools represented the counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany in New York and McKean and Potter from Pennsylvania. Overall, team numbers totaled between 400 and 600 students.

Each year, Dole said, participants — even returnees — need to attend a firearms safety course. For new shooters, two practice sessions are required before they are allowed to take part in matches.

“Safety is our top priority,” Dole said. “I’ve often told kids I don’t care if you go through the entire season and don’t hit a single target, if we all come out on the other end without an incident or anyone getting hurt, we’ve had a successful season.”

Despite glowing reviews regarding the program, the future is far from certain. Dole could not help but mention the political climate, especially in New York state, that continues to get tough on guns.

“There are schools that want to have absolutely nothing to do with this program because it has to do with firearms and young people,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, but that’s the world that we live in.”

In an age where technology and social media can dominate our daily lives, outdoor recreation has taken a back seat. Declining numbers continue to be seen in regard to hunting and fishing.

Trap clubs are one path to these interests for the region’s youth. Seeing Fredonia’s enthusiasm in just six months brings a reason for optimism for the conservation community.

By the end of the evening, attendees were able to applaud one more connection to the sport. Stephanie Tutmaher, adviser and coach to the Chautauqua Lake, Brocton and Westfield Fish & Game Club team, received honors for her 10 years of guidance. “That (speaks to) her compassion for the sport and the kids,” said Daniel “Butch” Ficarra, who presented the sportsmanship award from the Westfield Fish & Game Club with Rose Corbran.

During that time with the trap club, Tutmaher’s son and daughter were members of the squad. Though her children have graduated, Tutmaher’s dedication remains.

“She is a treasure,” Corbran said.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.