Trap and Field's Around the ATA article from the Atlantic Provinces ATA Delegate
November 2025
Hello from the Atlantic Provinces.
The Highland Gun Club hosted another great Atlantic Provinces ATA Provincial Shoot over the Labour Day weekend. 51 shooters from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Florida, and New Jersey attended the 4-day, 800 target competition. The weather cooperated nicely, and shooters had near perfect shooting conditions for the entire shoot.
As in normally the case, club volunteers kept shooters fed very well. The lunch menu included haddock, lobster, sword fish, venison burgers, seafood chowder, rappie pie (traditional Acadian dish), and deli sandwiches for those with more modest taste buds. Scallops, smoked herring, fresh Ontario corn, and clams were on the mid-afternoon snack menu. And for those with a sweet tooth, a selection of home-made cookies and muffins were baked fresh every day that would rival any bakery. And the ice cream treats from the local ice cream shop were amazing.
Congratulations to Troy Coldwell for another great shoot winning the Doubles, Handicap, HAA and HOA Championships. In the Singles Championship, Doug Blades edged Coldwell by one target to claim the provincial Champion title. The pair swapped places in the Doubles with Blades claiming the Runner-up spot.
In the Handicap Championship, Stephane Benard of Quebec took Open Champion with a 94. Troy Coldwell and Jamie Leblanc tied for resident Champion with 92s. Coldwell’s shoot-off win gave him the Handicap Championship and puts him back on the 27-yard line. Leblanc won the Handicap Runner-up.
Complete shoot results are available on www.shootatlantic.com.
AP secretary Janaya Nickerson and I met New Jersey shooters Jim Lavelle and Kolleen Adams at the Canadian Trapshooting Championships in Hamilton, Ontario earlier in the summer. Janaya suggested to Jim and Kolleen that they consider attending the Atlantic Provinces ATA Provincial Shoot. “You’ll have a great time” Janaya told them. Jim and shared a few emails with us before our shoot, and they were all set to attend.
Jim was a little hesitant in attending considering the current political issues straining Canada and US relations. I explained to Jim that we’re all friends here and that they should make themselves feel at home. And that they did. The American flag was proudly flown, and Jim and Kolleen wore big smiles for the duration of the shoot. It was also great seeing the pair striking up conversations with new people every time I saw them. Thanks for attending Jim and Kolleen. You’re welcome back any time.
Jim and Kolleen also won a couple of awards for their shooting. Jim placed 4th in the APTA Preliminary Handicap and Kolleen won Open Lady II in the Singles Championship.
As I was writing this month’s article, I received an email and letter from Jim and Kolleen. Apparently, we made a bigger impression on them than I thought. Their letter is full of thanks, praise, and heartwarming remarks for everyone that made their visit to the Atlantic Provinces memorable and a little easier. Their letter also reminded me of something my buddy Pete told me a long time ago. You treat people the way you want to be treated.
You can read Jim and Kolleen’s letter here: Letter.pdf (23 KB)
To Jim and Kolleen, thank you for your kind words.
The 2026 Atlantic Provinces ATA Provincial Shoot returns to the St. John’s Rod and Gun near Holyrood, Newfoundland and Labrador next year from September 3-6. We won’t have rappie pie, but we will have fish stew, savory moose dishes, deli sandwiches, and of course put off a well-run shoot with great targets.
For more information on the Atlantic Provinces Trapshooting Association, feel free to contact me or visit shootatlantic.com.
Regards,
Andrea
Andrea Bassan
shootatlantic.com