Season 2: Episode 45 – Building the Next Generation of Shooters with John Nelson.

In this episode of Connecting with Conservation, hosts Jon Gassett of the Wildlife Management Institute and Jim Curcuruto of the Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation sit down with John Nelson, President of the USA Clay Target League, to explore one of America’s fastest-growing high school sports — competitive clay target shooting.

Nelson shares how the league began around a Minnesota kitchen table in 2007 and has since expanded to nearly 2,000 school-sponsored teams across 39 states, involving more than 55,000 student athletes. The conversation highlights the league’s unmatched safety record — over 300 million shots fired without a single reported injury — and how participation fosters discipline, teamwork, and respect for firearms while connecting young people and their families to the outdoors.

Listeners will also learn how the USA Clay Target League helps drive wildlife conservation funding through excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, supports inclusive participation for all students, and partners with state agencies and shooting ranges to expand opportunities nationwide.

Whether you’re a conservation professional, outdoor educator, or simply curious about the link between target shooting and conservation, this discussion offers an inspiring look at how youth shooting sports strengthen communities, build safer habits, and invest in the future of conservation.

For more information on USA Clay Target League visit www.usaclaytarget.com

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