Trap Talk From The Back Fence

Episode: Hall of Famer Pat Lamont on Winning His 12th Grand American Ring!

Date: March 14, 2025
Hosts: Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr. (“Ricky”)
Guest: Pat Lamont

Overview

This episode of Trap Talk features Hall of Fame trapshooter Pat Lamont, discussing his journey to clinching his 12th Grand American ring. The hosts, Zach and Ricky, dive into Pat’s experiences as a competitor, the nuances of maintaining focus season after season, the changing landscape of major shoots, and his thoughts on nerves, routines, and the future of the sport. The episode is peppered with camaraderie, practical shooting advice, and a special announcement from Pat.

Main Themes & Insights

The Champion’s Mindset Post-Hall of Fame

• How do you stay motivated after reaching the Hall of Fame and so many major wins?
  • Pat emphasizes that the drive to compete never fades:

    “Things really didn't change after the Hall of Fame for me. Like, I still go out there and try to, you know, compete in every event, try to win every event. Yeah, the Hall of Fame is a goal, but it's not like the angle. It's not like that's the last thing.” (02:22)

  • Even after landmark achievements, the underlying motivation remains – chase excellence, event by event.

Navigating Tough Seasons & Technical Adjustments

• Pat struggled at times this season but found ways to recalibrate.
  • Facing difficulties with visual clarity on targets:

    “I wasn't seeing the targets how I wanted to see them at the start of the year... I brought my eyes down to the trap... At the ground, I got back to just shooting, you know, held the gun up a little bit higher... looking right through the barrel and that soft focus, it just seemed to, you know, the target would pop.” (08:18)

  • Minor technical adjustments—like raising the hold point—made significant differences in performance.
  • Pat’s approach: Focus less on perfection, trust in “just shooting.”

Key Discussion Points

The Evolving Trapshoot Landscape

• Big prizes and creative incentives boost attendance:
  • Pat praises clubs giving away major prizes (guns, silver), observing more shooters attracted to such events:

    “Anything that's going to bring the people to the shoot... Guys are thinking outside the box. They're trying to get more shooters to come. I think that's what all clubs need to do.” (04:30)

• Attendance fluctuates with shoot location:
  • Moving club events geographically can create attendance swings, echoing trends from both Canadian and U.S. circuits.

The Power of Routine

• Consistency is King:
  • Both Pat and top rising star Dagan are lauded for their “robotic” routines:

    “There's nothing that changes from shot to shot that I can visibly see... getting the mount that you guys want. That, you know, that head up, eyes up kinda... I mean, it's impressive to watch.” (19:48)

  • Pat agrees:

    “You keep doing the same thing every time and... expect the same results. Where it goes sideways: Sometimes you miss a target, you think, well, I have to make a change... Go back to what works.” (21:40)

  • Don’t let a missed target spiral into unnecessary major changes.

Handling Pressure and Nerves

• Even legends feel the nerves.

  • On high-stakes events and finishing under pressure:

    “Things got a little tight towards the end. I mean, I don't think it matters who you are. When you're getting towards the end, you're getting nervous, you're getting excited to get done, whether you've done it once, whether you've done it a hundred times.” (32:39)

  • Pat debunks the myth that experienced shooters don't get nervous:

    “If they tell you they don't feel nerves, I don't believe them.” (33:29)

• Mind Games: Knowing the Score or Not?

  • Pat prefers not to watch the scores during big events:

    “I'd rather not know. I think it's just...easier... you're shooting your own target.” (31:07)

  • Sometimes this works to his advantage, helping focus and reducing pressure.

Shooting Routines, Long Runs, and Records

• Pat’s long run in singles is around 1,180, doubles about 450 (28:58).
• Ricky and Zach enjoy bantering about their own records, highlighting the labors and humility behind big numbers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The Canadian hammer. I mean, he ain’t Paul Shaw, but...he just keeps winning.” – Zach (01:29)
• “The big thing with the overalls...knowing how it is you're going to feel going into these last events. Like, I don't know, it's a feel like you couldn't even describe unless you've been there.” – Pat (26:27)
• “Dagan, the best shooter in the ATA right now...for him to be happy for me like that, I respected it a lot.” – Pat on receiving a congratulatory text from competitor Dagan (16:14)
• “I think all clubs need to do [prizes]. I listened to Sean's podcast...getting people to do stuff other than just the shooting... that's something that we'll focus on at the Browning Gun Club.” – Pat (04:45)
• “You just learn how to control the nerves.” – Ricky (33:39)
• “Go back to what works.” – Pat, on not overcorrecting after a miss (22:12)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:22 | Pat discusses motivation after the Hall of Fame | | 04:30 | On creative prizes and bringing more shooters to events | | 08:18 | Technical adjustments after a tough start to the shooting year | | 16:14 | Story about Dagan texting Pat “congratulations”; sportsmanship in trapshooting | | 19:48 | Routine and technique, comparison between Pat and Dagan | | 21:40 | The importance of consistent routines, not overcorrecting | | 26:27 | Pat’s feelings and mindset during overalls at the Grand | | 28:58 | Pat’s shooting “long runs” in singles, doubles, and handicap | | 31:07 | Prefers not to check standings during tournaments | | 32:39 | Nerves late in the event; “things got a little tight towards the end” | | 33:29 | Pat: Everyone gets nervous. If they say they don’t—they’re lying | | 37:25 | Pat reveals upcoming Team Remington sponsorship |

Special Announcements

Team Remington Sponsorship

• Pat announces he has been contacted by Team Remington and will officially switch shell brands next season:

  “Just I think Team Remington has contacted me and I'll be switching shells next year. So that's something I'm looking forward to...” (37:25)

Community & Reflections on the Sport

• The episode closes with gratitude for the growing trapshooting community, listener engagement, and the joys of connecting at clubs across North America.
• Pat shares a heartfelt story about being thanked at the Grand for his sportsmanship and podcast participation:

  “A gentleman came up to me and said, you know, thank you for everything you do for the sport. And I thought, what am I doing for the sport? He says, you know, with the podcast and everything. So I thought, you know, that was a really nice compliment.” (38:57)

Upcoming Plans

• Pat’s 2025 schedule: All usual state and zone shoots, the Grand, Spring Grand, and smaller shoots like the Rough Rider in North Dakota. First big shoot of the season will be Minnesota. (41:44)

Summary

Pat Lamont’s third (or “three and a half”) Trap Talk appearance delivers honest insights into maintaining top form after Hall of Fame status, finding solutions through technical tweaks, the critical importance of routine, camaraderie and sportsmanship at the highest levels, and the unchanging reality of nerves even for the champions. The episode is rich with practical advice for shooters of all levels and hints at the ongoing evolution—and strong future—of North American trapshooting.