Podcast Summary – Trap Talk From The Back Fence

Episode: Trapshooting Media, Growth & Giveaways with Matthew Gay – Trap Talk E120

Date: April 18, 2025
Host(s): Zach Nannini & Richard Marshall Jr.
Guest: Matthew Gay (Owner/Publisher: Trap Shooting USA, Outdoor Media Pursuits Group)

Episode Overview

This episode brings together hosts Zach and Ricky with Matthew Gay, the new owner and publisher of Trap Shooting USA and several other outdoor lifestyle magazines. The conversation covers the growth and future of trapshooting media, the power of storytelling in sport, the connection between hunting and shooting, new lifestyle initiatives, and an exciting shotgun giveaway at the Grand American. The episode is rich in anecdotes about living the trapshooting lifestyle and insights into media’s role in strengthening the shooting sports community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meet Matthew Gay: Background & Entry into Media (06:22–09:17)

• Matthew’s Story: Grew up working at a Michigan gun club, learned skeet and sporting clays early, has a background as an HVAC contractor and state inspector before shifting to writing and publishing.
• Media Entry: Started writing technical articles, which led to regular contributions and eventually ownership of multiple shooting sport publications.
• Portfolio Expansion: Added ‘Wing and Clay Life’ magazine in 2024. Also manages Lady Outdoor Lifestyle and oversees a design overhaul with key staff retained.

Quote:
“I didn't know I could do literary writing until Dana Farrell... said, why don’t you write me an article? Next thing I know, I was being asked to write for trap shooting and blah, blah, blah. And it just kind of snowballed from there. Now I own them.” – Matthew (08:46)

2. The Trapshooting Lifestyle: More Than Just a Sport (03:18–05:59, 12:07–13:43)

• A Social & Lifelong Commitment: The lifestyle aspect—traveling, friendships, and community—is key to the appeal and sustainability of trapshooting.
• Challenges & Sacrifices: Ricky shares how deeply intertwined the sport is with life’s milestones (missing his son’s birth for a championship).
• Media Focus Shift: Matt’s vision is to tell the “lifestyle” stories, not just technical shooting tips, to help people connect emotionally to the sport.

Quote:
“There are so many stories and so many things to talk about when it comes to the trap shooting lifestyle above and beyond where you hold your gun…” – Matthew (03:21)

3. Trap Shooting USA: Unique Position in Trapshooting Media (12:07–13:43)

• Content Diversity: From technical how-tos to lifestyle features, aiming to demystify the sport for newcomers while still serving longtime shooters.
• Building Community: Striving to include recreational shooters and youngsters to bolster club survival and grow the registered shooting base.

Quote:
“We are... a wider scope of material... everything from technical... into the lifestyle part of it... A lot of people don’t understand the lifestyle. Let’s help them understand the lifestyle.” – Matthew (12:08)

4. Media Partnership & Growth Initiatives (22:42–23:12, 37:55–40:30)

• Official Magazine Partnership: Trap Shooting USA joins as the official magazine of the Trap Talk podcast, with cross-promotion and exclusive content.
• Shotgun Giveaway: Matthew will give away a Winchester Super X1 12 gauge at the Grand American. Entry with any magazine subscription (digital or print).
• Subscription Offer: Digital access to any Outdoor Media Pursuits magazine for just $10/year.

Quote:
“For anybody from April 1st and beyond who renews, who gets in subscription, they will be in the running for that shotgun.... Digital subscription for $10 a year.” – Matthew (37:57, 39:14)

5. The Wider Shotgun & Hunting Culture (18:04–21:40, 22:38–30:39)

• Participation Numbers: Only a small fraction of shotgun users shoot registered events; the rest are recreational or casual shooters. (14 million+ use shotguns in US, tens of thousands are registered competitors.)
• Hunting Links: Many shooters start as hunters or vice versa. The new magazine ‘Wing and Clay Life’ targets this crossover, with content on bird hunting, equipment, recipes, and adventure stories.
• Memorable Tale: Discussion of black mambas in African bird hunting (25:00–30:00).

Quote:
“Basically as shotgun shooters, we’re interested in shooting, flying. Anything that’s flying, we have an interest in shooting that. Whether it be clay targets... or game birds…it doesn’t really matter.” – Matthew (34:59)

6. Elevating the Community: Aspirations and Future Direction (42:20–47:43)

• Podcast & Magazine Synergy: Plans to expand content to include hunting, outdoor adventure, and more behind-the-scenes stories from the world of trap and wing shooting.
• Lowering Barriers: Clear call for hunters to use shooting sports to hone skills—“for 30 bucks a week, go out, you're going to hone your skills, and your dog’s going to be happier with you.” (44:30–46:12)

Quote:
“There’s no reason that the shooting sports can’t rise to the same level as some of the other sports that seem to have so much more of a following... Just give them a little taste... then you got them. So, yeah, it’s game over.” – Matthew (46:50–47:34)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ricky on sacrifices for the sport:
  “I hate to say it... my oldest son forgives me now, but, you know, he was born an hour after I won my first world championship. I was not there.” (04:33)

• Matt on Gun Club Lessons:
  “I can't understand... these guys spend thousands and thousands of dollars on a truck and then a dog... but you won’t spend 25, 30 bucks a week to go sharpen your shooting skills on the trap range.” (42:20)

• Zach on growth:
  “It’s fun to see people get excited about the sport. It’s fun to see people learning new things and trying new things and... getting back to why we do this sport and why we do what we love.” (41:09)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Matthew’s background & entry into publishing: 06:22–09:17
• The importance of trapshooting lifestyle and community: 03:18–05:59, 12:07–13:43
• Trapshooting participation stats and insights: 18:04–21:40
• Introduction and discussion of ‘Wing and Clay Life’: 22:38–30:39
• Black mamba and African bird hunting story: 25:00–30:00
• Details on the Gun Giveaway: 37:55–40:30
• Call to action for hunters to try trapshooting clubs: 42:20–46:12
• Vision for shooting sports media growth: 46:50–47:43

Takeaways & Closing

• Media is key to sharing the richness of the shooting lifestyle, fostering community, and bringing newcomers into the fold.
• Partnerships between podcasts and magazines are set to amplify trapshooting’s reach and cultural presence.
• Anyone can enter the shotgun giveaway by subscribing (digital or print) to any of Matt’s magazines.
• Future content will blend shooting, hunting, and outdoor life stories—showcasing how diverse, interconnected, and welcoming the shooting sports can be.

Final Thoughts:
The episode ends on an enthusiastic note—Matthew, Zach, and Ricky are committed to growing the sport, celebrating its lifestyle, and making it accessible and engaging for future generations.

For Listeners

How to Enter Giveaway:
Subscribe or renew any Outdoor Media Pursuits Group magazine (digital or print) to enter the Winchester Super X1 giveaway at the Grand American. Digital subscriptions as low as $10/year.

For more:

• Check out the Trap Shooting USA family of magazines
• Subscribe to Trap Talk From The Back Fence for upcoming guests, hunting stories, and live event coverage.

“Set the hook. Let them wet their beak a touch... then you got them. It’s game over.” – Matthew Gay (47:34)