View full article PDF here.Recap: Dean Townsend – A Lifetime in Trapshooting
Dean Townsend, of Thornville, Ohio, has been a fixture in trapshooting for over 50 years, blending family tradition, competitive success, and decades of service to the ATA.
Early Roots
Introduced to the sport in 1968 after convincing his father, Don, to let him shoot his Browning O/U, Dean registered his first targets in 1970. He and his father spent years traveling to shoots in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois—first in a tent, later in a small camper—building lasting memories. Dean also shot competitively for Ohio State University, where he made lifelong friends, including John Evick, his best friend and squadmate since 1978.
Service to the ATA
In 1992, ATA President Joe Loving invited Dean to assist the Central Handicap Committee (CHC). Since then, he has logged more than 30 years of service, including over a decade as Chairman. Dean also serves on the ATA Rules Committee, often reminding shooters to carry a rulebook and rely on it over verbal interpretations. He treasures the friendships made through this service, which he calls one of his greatest joys in the sport.
Mentors & Friends
Dean credits much of his development to mentors like:
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Gene Bauer – taught patience and the mental side of the game.
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Dallas Maynard – long-time travel partner who shared expertise on guns and mechanics.
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Louie Morgan – Hall of Famer and close friend since Dean was a youth shooter. The two still share the line; at the 2023 U.S. Open they broke 100 straights side by side.
Competitive Highlights
Dean’s career is full of meaningful wins:
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1980 Ohio Singles Title – with his father proudly watching.
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1996 Ohio Doubles Championship – the lone 100 straight on his in-laws’ 50th anniversary.
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2003 Ohio Singles Title – a victory his mother celebrated just weeks before her passing.
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2005 Ohio HAA Championship – at the last Vandalia State Shoot, defeating Hall of Famer Pat McCarthy in a shootoff that gave Dean the honor of firing the final shot at Vandalia.
Equipment & Preparation
Dean shoots a Blaser F3 combo with custom modifications, paired with Remington ammunition. He values HAA and HOA titles most of all, seeing them as proof of overall consistency. His preparation is built on patience, focus, and lessons from legends like Britt Robinson: don’t rush your call—be ready to see the target.
Legacy & Advice
Dean emphasizes that trapshooting is about living in the moment—what matters is the 3–5 seconds after you mount the gun, not what came before or after. His advice to new shooters: invest in clinics from top shooters, take away one or two key ideas, and build your own style rather than copying someone else.
Final Take
As he heads into his 55th Grand American, Dean’s story is defined not just by wins but by service, mentorship, and gratitude—for clubs that treat shooters right, for mentors who shaped him, and for volunteers who keep the sport alive. His journey reflects the heart of trapshooting: family, friendships, competition, and giving back.
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