Trap Talk From The Back Fence

Episode 150: 2025 Grand American Clay Target Champion Jason Krause
Date: November 14, 2025
Hosts: Zach Nanini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Guest: Jason Krause

Episode Overview

In this milestone episode, Zach and Ricky sit down with 2025 Grand American Clay Target Champion, Jason Krause, for an in-depth conversation about his journey from small-town Nebraska shooter to clay target champion. The episode is packed with personal insights, technical breakdowns, and a treasure trove of advice for shooters at every level. Jason discusses the importance of grassroots club shoots, details the pivotal adjustments that led to his win, and reflects on the mental and emotional demands of high-level competition—delivering a mix of hard-earned wisdom, humor, and true camaraderie.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jason Krause: Background and Shooting Journey

• Started early: Jason began trapshooting at 15 through his high school’s Central Nebraska Conference. (03:54)
  • “Wherever my mom would take me or I could afford to go, I went and shot.”
• Training & hiatuses: He’s had periods of intense involvement and then stepped away due to college, work, and life, always returning thanks to friendships and his love of the sport. (05:24)
• Support system: Credit to friends (notably Justin and Wyatt) who encouraged him to attend larger shoots, boosting his progression.

2. Impact of Local Clubs

• Home club: Crooked Creek in Aurora, NE—a public club known for challenging backgrounds and weather conditions. (09:07)
  • Targets are tough due to variable backgrounds (corn, dirt) and lighting, which Jason credits for developing adaptability.
  • “...can be difficult to shoot there...Some people say the background's a little different, a little challenging...”
• Grassroots importance: Small club shoots are vital for building shooter confidence and skills before moving to major events. (14:53)
  • “If you can go to these smaller clubs and get a few wins… it gives you confidence to be able to go to one of them bigger shoots and feel like you can compete.”

3. State of Weekend Shoots & Participation Challenges

• Fewer shooters and increased costs have led to smaller turnouts at local club events. (17:16)
  • “Nowadays people look at more what they can get for what they're going to spend... that hurts the smaller clubs."
• Potential remedies:
  • Creative incentives (raffles, half-price days, prize packages) and increased outreach, but recognizing the reality of resource limitations.

4. Major Performance Shifts and Technical Evolution

• Equipment changes:
  • Switched to Krieghoff K-80 trap special in 2019/2020: major boost in consistency (25:32)
  • Fitted with a custom Wenig stock in 2022, leading to immediate improvement, especially in handicap.
    • “I hadn't until then, I'd never broke a 99 in the handicaps and... within three or four days, I broke a 99...” (26:32)
• Training adjustments:
  • Slowed down his shot process for greater deliberation and control.
  • Emphasis on extended, intentional practice—especially in “real world” weather.
  • Advocates for methodical tweaks: “Adjust and adjust until it goes the wrong way, then go back…”
• Resilience: Don’t chase small changes after a bad round; ride through “off” performances unless a clear pattern emerges. (29:50)
  • “Give it a good enough chance... it just had a bad day.”

5. Mindset, Recovery, and the Squadding Factor

• Importance of peer support after tough days:
  • “Go back to the camper, sit in the chair and reflect.” (32:24)
  • “Have good friends… if you sit there and stew… next day probably isn't going well either.”
• Maintaining hunger:
  • Recognizing burnout and strategically scheduling events to stay motivated.

6. Technical Setup & Style

• Equipment details:
  • K-80 Trap Special, 90/10–100% high for singles/doubles, full choke, Remington Light 8s for everything.
• Gun hold and target approach:
  • Holds gun ~1.5ft above house on singles, less on handicap and doubles, always above “never down on the house.”
  • Focus on seeing the target burn off and enter the visual zone before committing the move; minimal upward movement, mainly lateral—a “press” or “push” toward the target (41:08)
  • For doubles, tries to avoid trapping; wants smooth transition between targets.
  • “Once you think you got it right, keep going a little more and adjust a little more till it starts to go the other way.” (27:31)

7. Mindfulness and Competition Strategy

• Desire and mindset trump sheer volume:
  • “Your desire, I think, plays a big role in this sport, goes hand in hand with your mindset... if your mind gets drained...you're not going to perform.” (48:31)
  • “If you're going to stand out there… that has to be the most important thing in the world right then.” (48:48)
• Advice from mentor Scott Jens: “If you’re worried about the job or the kid…you might as well put your gun back in the case and go home.” (48:48)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Small Club Importance:
  • “Small clubs are the feeders for these big shoots… that’s where you learn to have your first competition.” – Zach (13:47)
• On Adjusting Equipment:
  • “A lot of people are afraid to change things… They get complacent and their mindset becomes, well, it’s not horrible, and I don’t want to change anything and make it worse.” – Jason (27:31)
• On Handling Bad Days:
  • “If you sit there and stew on it… the next day probably isn’t going well either.” – Jason (32:44)
• On Mental Focus:
  • “If you’re going to do this…that has to be the most important thing in the world right then.” – Jason (48:48)
• On Winning the Clay Target:
  • “Those were… the hardest targets that I’ve ever shot.” – Jason, describing the moment after his shoot-off opponent missed (57:09)
• Advice to Shooters:
  • “Make it a priority… Practice the same way… Try to beat yourself every time you’re out there…. Eventually the wins will come.” – Jason (64:59)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jason’s Introductions & Background: 00:33–05:24
• Discussion on Small Clubs & Crooked Creek: 08:48–13:10
• How Small Clubs Build Champions: 13:47–17:16
• On the Challenges Facing Local Shoots: 17:16–23:30
• Major Performance Breakthroughs: 25:32–27:31
• Philosophy on Change and Practice: 27:31–29:50
• Handling Bad Days & Mental Recovery: 32:16–34:09
• Equipment, Technique, and Hold Points: 34:44–42:06
• Approach to Mindset and Scheduling: 46:30–48:31
• On Winning the Clay Target (Shoot-off): 51:22–59:24
• Advice for Ambitious Shooters: 64:59

Memorable Shoot-off Recap

• 2025 Clay Target Championship:
  • Jason’s second-ever 200 in the Clay Target; “the only 200 on the squad” that day (52:01)
  • Shoot-off extended across two nights
  • Final competitors: Pat Lamont, Cody I, Brandon Deal, Scott Omachane, Jason Krause
  • “When he (Brandon Deal) missed, did the pucker factor come in play? – Absolutely.” – Ricky & Jason (55:57)
  • Jason describes the last targets: focusing hard on breathing, resisting the urge to “get careful,” increasing tempo slightly to avoid overthinking (58:27)
  • “Those were the hardest targets that I’ve ever shot.” – Jason (57:12)

Final Advice and Acknowledgments

• Success Formula:
  • Make shooting a priority, but not a burden
  • Practice with purpose, simulate match intensity
  • Surround yourself with supportive people
  • Embrace change when needed, have courage to tweak and to fail on the path to improvement
• Gratitude:
  • Thanks to Remington, Krieghoff (for urgent support at the Grand), friends, family, and especially those who help on the home front, with his son Jake, and at shoots (66:05)

Tone & Camaraderie

The episode is shaped by easy banter, good-natured ribbing (especially around “ring envy” and “shade tree” parking at Crooked Creek), and genuine care between experienced competitors. Jason’s humble, practical wisdom blends well with the hosts’ humor and technical curiosity, making for both an educational and entertaining listen.

Summary prepared for the Trap Talk From The Back Fence podcast community
For listeners who missed the episode, this recap captures Jason Krause’s memorable journey, technical keys, and motivational mindset as he climbed to the pinnacle of the trapshooting world in 2025.