Trap shooters make the transition
by Bill Mays
How many times have clay target shooters heard the same old story, you can shoot clay targets, but you can’t shoot live birds in a duck blind or upland game birds in the field. This writer has had firsthand experience that 2 brothers from Galt, the Evans brothers, put that old cliché to bed.
The Evans brothers, Steven & Billy, are not only Junior Scholastic Champion trap shooters; they are two of the best duck shots this writer has ever had in his duck boat. There must be something in the gene pool, because their dad, Bill Evans is the best shot I’ve ever shared a duck blind with, and I’ve had the privilege of hunting with some of the best in the world.
Steven Evans is the youngest of the brothers now at 19-years old. Steven won the Junior Scholastic California State individual trap shooting title at the age of 17 on his birthday, by breaking 200 straight targets. At 18-years old, his last year with the program, his team finished 12th in the world at the Nationals. “We should have won the championship at the Nationals,” said Steven. “We had the numbers throughout the competition, one of our team members came down with the flu and another team mate let the pressure get to him. There were only 12 targets that separated us from winning the event.”
Steven has just graduated from the Butte College Technical Welding program and graduated tops in his class. He is applying for a welding job with P.G.E. and his prospects are looking good. His favorite food is, (what else) duck, favorite music is country and all-time favorite move is Hang Over. He enjoys all types of shooting sports, but his passion is duck hunting and he practices every day on his duck calling techniques.
Billy Evans now 20-years-old, also won many individual and team honors while shooting in the Junior Scholastic program as well. In 2007 he won the 21 yard Handicap title at the National level and captured many team and individual honors along the way. He also is a fantastic duck and wing shooter and it’s always exciting when the Evans boys are in my boat on the Lower Klamath Refuge.
Billy has also just graduated from the Northwest Lineman College and is hoping to land a lineman job with P.G.E. He enjoys working out at the gym on his free time and is in great physical shape. His favorite food is Stove Top Stuffing, enjoys listening to country music, and his favorite movie is The Grand Torino.