We pulled together some of the BEST coaching moments, mental game advice, target tips, and competition insights from past episodes of the Trap Talk Podcast.

Whether you're a brand-new shooter or chasing championship scores, there’s something in here that can help your game.

A huge thank you to all of the guests, supporters, and fans of Trap Talk and the trapshooting community.

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In Episode 180 of the Trap Talk Podcast, Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr. catch up in the middle of a packed trapshooting season and break down the road ahead — from Vernal and the Western Grand to the Ohio State Shoot, Iowa, the Grand American, Heartland Grand, Nevada State Shoot, and more.

The main focus of this episode is the Golden West Grand, hosted at Livermore/Pleasanton Rod & Gun Club. Zach and Ricky talk through the history, the nostalgia, the green targets, the shoot layout, the champions, the shoot-offs, and the gold coin buckles that helped make this year’s event feel special.

They also get into a bigger topic for the sport: how local clubs can create one big annual shoot that shooters look forward to every year. Whether it’s added money, silver, gold, special trophies, dinners, or just a well-run event with good people, these are the things that keep trapshooting exciting.

Plus, the guys talk about Trap Talk’s plans for the Grand American, including new merch, the Grand party, free giveaways, and seeing everyone at the Trap Talk Studio in Sparta.

Thanks for watching, listening, sharing, and supporting Trap Talk.

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Tony Fortino joins Trap Talk for Episode 179, and this one is packed with trapshooting history, laughs, technical talk, and a whole lot of hard-earned wisdom from one of the true working-man champions in the sport.

Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr. sit down with Tony to talk about his journey from a young shooter in Illinois to becoming an 8-time All-American, 9-time Illinois State Team member, current Illinois State Team Captain, and one of the youngest shooters ever to win two Grand American championships in the same year. In 2013, Tony won both the Clay Target Championship and the Doubles Championship at just 17 years old. 

The guys cover Tony’s early start with the Chip & Crack team, the people who helped shape his game, the lessons he learned from George and Jackie Snellenberger, and what it takes to keep competing at a high level while working third shift and living the real-world grind.

They also get into the mental side of championship shooting, including how Tony handled the pressure of the Clay Target shoot-off, why the Doubles Championship felt different, and how confidence can change everything when the targets are on the line.

Of course, this episode also gets technical. Tony breaks down his approach to singles, handicap, and doubles, including gun setup, point of impact, hold points, eye issues, doubles timing, footwork, and why sometimes the best advice is still simple: point the targets out.

This is a great episode for young shooters, working shooters, serious competitors, and anyone who loves hearing from a champion who has been there, won big, stepped away, and is now coming back strong.

Enjoy this episode and please like, share, comment, and subscribe to support the channel.

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The PITA Grand Pacific is back at Evergreen Sportsmen’s Club in Washington, and this episode of Trap Talk breaks down why shooters should have this one on their radar.

Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr. are joined by Rich Bullard Jr. and Kyle Seever, Second Vice President of the PITA, for a fun and informative conversation about the Pacific International Trapshooting Association, the history of the PITA, and what makes the Grand Pacific such a special shoot for trapshooters across the West.

The guys talk about how the PITA started, why it has such a strong following in the western states, and why Evergreen is such a beloved location for the Grand Pacific. They also dig into the 2026 program, including the return to Evergreen, added money, silver, trophies, magnums, 50-target events, family activities, camping, hotels, shoot-offs, and the overall atmosphere that makes this event feel different from a lot of major shoots. 

The 2026 Grand Pacific is scheduled for July 20–25, 2026, with bonus days and warm-up events before the main program. The PITA shoot calendar lists 2026 dates and directs shooters to event programs, and PITA recommends confirming with clubs before traveling. 

This episode is a great listen for ATA shooters who have never tried PITA, western shooters who already know how fun the Grand Pacific can be, and anyone looking for a major shoot with great targets, great people, and a serious amount of added value for shooters.

Enjoy this episode and please like, share, comment, and subscribe to support the channel.

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Zach sits down with Don Budd live from his amazing Budds St Paul Lodge.

​Budd's Saint Paul Lodge offers a premier, full-service lodging experience including an on-site bar, retail area, private patio with fire pit, locker room, common area and more.

Don Budd, Jr., owner and operator of Budd's Saint Paul Lodge, has a deep passion for all things hunting. He discovered Saint Paul, KS years ago and this hidden gem has turned into a second home. His love for hunting and the midwest inspired him to create the Lodge, as a way to provide the hunting community with the most enjoyable, all-around experience.

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Jason Johnson joins Trap Talk for Episode 177, and this one covers a little bit of everything: trapshooting, military service, family, mindset, sleep, and why coming back to the sport can be just as exciting as starting young.

Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr. sit down with Jason, a Texas trapshooter, military veteran, and part of the family behind Johnson’s Furniture, Appliance & Mattress, a new sponsor of the show. Jason talks about growing up around trapshooting, pulling targets, watching great shooters, serving 23 years in the military, and eventually finding his way back to registered trapshooting as a way to make memories with his dad and family.

The guys get into the mental side of shooting, including box breathing, pre-shot routines, music on the line, slowing down under pressure, and why one bad mount should be a reset instead of a lost target. Jason also shares what he learned from the Nevada State Shoot, the fun of events like the Back Fence Shootout, and why the ATA needs more energy, more excitement, and more opportunities for everyday shooters to win something and feel part of the action. 

They also dive into a topic most trapshooters ignore: sleep. Jason explains why a good mattress matters when you are traveling, shooting long programs, living out of an RV, or trying to stay sharp over several days of competition. From Tempur-Pedic mattresses to RV setups and white-glove delivery, this episode makes a strong case that better rest can lead to better performance.

This is a great conversation for shooters getting back into the game, new ATA members, traveling competitors, and anyone who knows that trapshooting is about more than just breaking targets.

Enjoy this episode and please like, share, comment, and subscribe to support the channel.

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George Lee is one of the young trapshooters people need to be watching.

In this episode of Trap Talk, Zach Nannini and Richard Marshall Jr. sit down with George Lee from Hickman, Nebraska, a rising young shooter who has already built an impressive resume in a short amount of time. George talks about getting started through the Norris trap team, breaking 100 straight in singles at his very first registered ATA shoot, and how that early success lit the fire to chase bigger shoots, All-American goals, and tougher competition.

The guys dig into George’s shooting journey, including his 856-target singles long run, breaking his first 100 in doubles at the Grand American, his equipment changes from a Ruger Red Label to a Browning 725 and then a Krieghoff, and the adjustments he is making to improve his handicap and overall game. They also talk about Nebraska’s incredible youth trapshooting program, learning by watching better shooters, dealing with prescription shooting lenses and contacts, and the importance of staying humble, asking questions, and respecting the game. 

George also shares a little about faith, family, Big Red Motorsports, and what it is like growing up around both business and competitive trapshooting.

This is a great episode for young shooters, parents, coaches, and anyone who loves seeing the next generation of trapshooting talent coming up strong.

Enjoy this episode and please like, share, comment, and subscribe to support the channel.

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In Episode 175 of Trap Talk, Zach and Ricky sit down with Bob Palmer—author, mental performance coach, and CEO of SportsXL, Inc.—for a deep dive into the mental side of shooting. Bob has helped athletes understand how mindset, focus, visualization, confidence, and preparation can make the difference between just showing up and performing at a high level. 

This episode digs into what it really takes to get in the zone, stay there, recover from mistakes, and avoid the mental traps that can wreck a round. Bob shares practical ideas on active visualization, resetting after a lost target, staying focused on your own game, handling nerves, avoiding negative distractions, and why mental preparation starts long before you ever step to the line.

In this episode, the guys talk about:

•  Bob Palmer’s background in mental performance coaching 
•  How mindset affects trapshooting performance 
•  Getting into the zone and staying there 
•  Visualization and replaying success 
•  Recovering quickly after a missed target 
•  Why hydration, food, and preparation matter mentally 
•  Avoiding distractions and not getting caught up in other shooters 
•  Helping youth shooters and parents understand the mental game 

If you enjoy the show, make sure to subscribe, like the video, and support the channel. That support helps us keep bringing you more Trap Talk episodes, interviews, recaps, and conversations that help shooters improve on and off the line.

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In Episode 174 of Trap Talk, Zach and Ricky sit down with George DeCosta, world-renowned dog trainer, author, hunter, and clinician, for a fascinating conversation about bird dogs, upland hunting, training philosophy, and what it takes to perform at a high level. From his roots in Maui, Hawaii, to becoming one of the most respected names in dog training, George shares the life experiences, discipline, and passion that shaped his career. 

This episode goes way beyond dogs. It’s a deep conversation about consistency, repetition, discipline, safety, passion, and the connection between hunter and dog. George talks about how everyday habits build elite performance, why wild birds teach lessons planted birds never can, and how working with dogs at a high level mirrors success in any serious pursuit.

In this episode, the guys talk about:

•  George DeCosta’s background and how he got started with dogs and hunting 
•  Growing up in Maui and learning from family 
•  The difference between hunting dogs, test dogs, and trial dogs 
•  Bird dog training, steadiness, recall, and everyday repetition 
•  Safety in the field for hunters and dogs 
•  Why discipline and consistency matter in dog training and life 
•  Hunting all over the country for chukar, pheasant, quail, sharp-tail and more 
•  George’s books, clinics, and training philosophy 

If you enjoy the show, make sure to subscribe, like the video, and support the channel. That support helps us keep bringing you more Trap Talk episodes, interviews, recaps, and conversations with top people from across the shooting and hunting world.

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In Episode 173 of Trap Talk, Zach and Ricky sit down with Dr. Zeke Yeager of Corinth, Mississippi to talk about his trapshooting journey, his love for doubles, and what it took to become the 2020 Grand American Doubles Champion. From getting started as a kid with a hard-kicking single shot to becoming one of the top doubles shooters in the game, Zeke shares the story behind the scores, the mindset, and the work that shaped his success. 

The conversation gets into doubles strategy, point of impact, hold points, target setting around the country, mental approach, balancing a demanding professional career with competitive shooting, and why keeping the game simple still matters at the highest level.

In this episode, the guys talk about:

•  Zeke’s background in trapshooting and chiropractic practice 
•  Growing up in a trapshooting family 
•  His progression from beginner to top doubles shooter 
•  Winning the 2020 Grand American Doubles Championship 
•  Doubles hold points, gun setup, and target reading 
•  Mental game and keeping shooting fun 
•  Competing at a high level while balancing real life and work 
•  Why simple usually beats complicated in trapshooting 

If you enjoy the show, make sure to subscribe, like the video, and support the channel. That support helps us keep bringing you more Trap Talk episodes, interviews, shoot recaps, and content for the trapshooting world.

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