Trapshooter takes aim at shooting hall of fame

By John Kovach

Only two shooters are inducted each year.

LISBON — How good of a trapshooter is Terry Zaplata of Lisbon?

The Salem machinist, a member of the Columbiana County Fish and Game Club for more than 40 years, is one of the best ever to pull a trigger in America.

Consider this feat alone: In 1977, Zaplata became only the fourth person ever in Amateur Trapshooting Association history to break all 500 clay targets (500-for-500) in the 16-yard event at the Airport Gun Club in Lancaster.

“That’s one of the biggest ones,” said Zaplata.

During his perfect shooting feat, he hit all 500 of the 4-inch-diameter clay targets ejected upward by a machine to heights from 8-12 feet — without missing.

“You shoot as part of your five-man teams, and rotate and shoot about every 20-25 seconds. It’s a slow process,” he said.

That marksmanship about 30 years ago is just one of the numerous achievements by Zaplata since he joined the ATA in 1968.

For his contributions and life-long devotion to the sport, he will be inducted into the Ohio State Trapshooting Hall of Fame on June 26 at the Ohio State Shoot in Morango at Cardinal Center. Only two shooters are inducted each year.

As a prelude to Zaplata’s induction, he was honored with a dinner and plaque by his shooting club, the Columbiana County Fish and Game Club.

“[Zaplata] has done many things over the years to help further the sport. He also has won various state titles and honors and in 1977 was the fourth person to ever break 500 straight. The list of his titles and trophies are too long to list here,” said Wayne Saling, the club’s president. “We think this honor was long overdue.”

Zaplata believes trapshooting has been a positive force in America, and is part of the country’s basic fabric.

“The biggest benefit of trapshooting is that it is spreading the responsible use of guns and gun safety throughout America,” said Zaplata, a 1965 graduate of Beaver Local High who went to trade school and became a welder and machinist, and now is a machinist for Barclay Machine in Salem.

“I got a daughter [Amanda] that shoots with me. Young kids can shoot; old people can do it. It will last you for the rest of your life as long as you go out to pull the trigger.”

Zaplata, who was named Ohio’s Grandest Shooter in 1978 and 1979 — the first two times the awards were given — believes trapshooting is growing in popularity.

He said that he has seen an overall increase in shooters at the Ohio State and Grand American Championship.

“Family participation is part of [the growth in the sport]. But some guys just want to shoot, and they like it, and they keep on going out,” said Zaplata, who made the All-Ohio team at least seven times and named captain on two of those squads. He also was named to the North East Zone Team at least four times in Class AA.

But he said the economy also affects trapshooting.

“When economy is bad it slows down, but when economy comes back it will start growing again. It has been growing since I started,” said Zaplata, who hasn’t been attending the Grand National Championship in the past few years.

“My legs went bad on me and it’s kind of hard to get around so I stick close to home.”

The GNC was moved from Vandalia to Marrissa, Ill., in 2006, after being held in Vandalia since 1924. but the ATA headquarters remained in Vandalia. This year’s GNC will be held Aug. 5-15.

Zaplata said the biggest change in trapshooting is the quality of guns and ammunition.

“The ammunition is faster and the guns are of higher quality,” said Zaplata, who now competes a lot with his daughter who also is a member of the Columbiana County club.

“She has been shooting about two years. She is getting a lot better,” said Zaplata, pointing out that trapshooting is an easy sport to get to like.

“All you have to do is hit a couple of targets and you are hooked,” he said.

kovach@vindy.com