Texas NWTF Support Helps Collegiate Shooters Claim National Title
EDGEFIELD, S.C — When NWTF members attend a banquet, buy a raffle ticket or volunteer their time, they are doing more than supporting a single event — they are investing in the future of conservation, hunting and shooting sports. A recent success by the Trap and Skeet Team at the University of Texas at Austin highlights that impact in action, made possible in part by support from the Texas NWTF State Chapter.
With assistance from the state chapter with funding for things like gear and training, the UT Trap and Skeet Team captured the 2025 Division III Classic All-American National Championship at the ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships. The national title was the result of intentional investment, shared values and a commitment to developing the next generation of shooters and conservation advocates.
“Our national championship win last year was an incredibly meaningful accomplishment for our student-athletes and the entire Texas Trap and Skeet Team at UT Austin,” said Jon Dayton, head coach of the University of Texas Trap and Skeet Shooting Team. “Achievements like this are only possible through grant support that helps offset the costs of ammo, targets and competition, allowing students to focus on performing at their best. Support from organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation validates the hard work these students put in every day and gives them a platform to compete, grow and represent the future of shooting sports. Experiences like this stay with them well beyond the range and help shape them as leaders, ambassadors and stewards of our hunting and shooting traditions.”
For many young adults, collegiate shooting teams provide their first sustained exposure to firearms, hunting ethics and conservation-minded values. However, participation often comes with significant financial barriers. Ammunition, range time, equipment and travel costs can make competitive shooting unattainable for college students balancing tuition and living expenses.
By helping fund the UT Trap and Skeet Team, the Texas NWTF State Chapter made a strategic decision to reduce those barriers and keep young shooters engaged during a critical stage of their lives. Additional support from like-minded partners, including the NRA Foundation and MidwayUSA Foundation, further strengthened the program and its ability to compete on the national stage.
“We’re thrilled to see the UT Trap and Skeet Team achieve this incredible milestone and to have played a role in their journey to the championship,” said Annie Farrell, NWTF district biologist for Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “These students represent the future of conservation and responsible sporting traditions, and we could not be more proud of their success.”
Founded to promote outdoor participation, fellowship and responsibility, the UT Trap and Skeet Team places a strong emphasis on safety and ethics. Team members are required to complete firearm safety and hunter education certifications, reinforcing the same standards NWTF champions nationwide. The program fosters camaraderie, builds confidence and develops responsible gun owners who serve as positive ambassadors for the shooting sports.
Since joining the team, many members have gone on to purchase their own firearms and remain active in the shooting sports — key outcomes that directly support NWTF’s recruitment, retention and reactivation efforts.
While the national championship validated the chapter’s investment, the true success extends beyond the podium. These students are becoming responsible shooters, advocates for the shooting sports and, in many cases, future hunters and conservationists.
The Texas NWTF State Chapter’s support of the UT Trap and Skeet Team is a clear example of how grassroots involvement and member-driven funding create lasting impact, strengthening the future of the shooting sports and conservation for generations to come.