By Reina Kempt

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — In 1968, David Huber was invited by his friends to shoot at the Natchez Gun Club.

Little did he know that at that moment would be the start of the creation of three generations of trap experts.

After years of competing in trap shooting competitions all over the nation, Huber won the 2005 George McCarty handicapped championship at the Grand American Trapshooting Championships in Sparta, Ill., shooting 99 out of 100 targets from 27 yards.

His love and passion for trap shooting passed on to his children. The second generation of trapshooters include Chad Huber. Chad said he started hunting with his father at a young age, and over time, developed into an expert.

And now in 2013, the third generation of Hubers has taken the wheel.

Seventeen-year-old Mary Kate Huber, Chad’s daughter, has been hunting with her father and grandfather since she was a little girl, but didn’t get involved in competitive trapshooting until earlier this year.

It all started for Mary Kate when she entered into a fundraiser hosted by Trinity Episcopal School at the Woodland Gun Club on David’s property in March.

In a competition of all men and boys, she placed second overall in her first go-around at trapshooting.

“I thought, if she could shoot that good, why not take her to the Mississippi State Shoot and compete in the women’s division,” Chad said.

Mary Kate prepared for the state tournament by competing in a few smaller contests first.

“When dad asked me if I wanted to enter in the Mississippi State Shoot, I was nervous about it, but we started practicing and then entered into the Louisiana State Shoot to prepare,” Mary Kate said.

In her first state tournament, Mary Kate placed third in the women’s division.

She said placing that high, so soon, opened her eyes.

“I didn’t realize how good I was shooting at the time,” she said. “It kind of showed me that I could compete.”

Mary Kate said she trained with her father twice a week to get ready for the Mississippi State Shoot in Jackson at the Capitol Gun Club.

She said she only had one thing on her mind as she entered her biggest competition thus far.

“I just thought of focusing on breaking each target,” she said. “Just don’t get caught up on one or two misses, but focus on breaking the rest.”

In two rounds, Mary Kate hit 91 of 100 targets and 90 of 100 targets respectively for a total of 181 out of 200 to win first place in the women’s division.

“It felt good, I was happy to win,” she said. “(Being 16), I am the youngest to win the women’s division.”

But Mary Kate wasn’t just excited for herself, her dad and grandfather also placed at the tournament as well.

“All of us won a trophy in the singles event,” David said. “Chad came in third, Mary Kate first and I won first place in the veteran’s competition.”

Not only did Mary Kate make history as the youngest, but David became the only shooter in Mississippi to hit 100 straight targets from 27 yards out.

David said he was proud to see generations of the Hubers hold up their trophies.

“It’s enjoyable to see your kids and grandkids participate and enjoying it,” David said. “We got to watch each other shoot (in competition).”

Chad said that trapshooting is just something the Hubers do.

“It’s in our blood,” he said. “We all started hunting early and shooting early. We enjoy the camaraderie of it.”

Mary Kate said even though trap shooting is just a hobby, she can see herself starting a fourth generation of trapshooters in the future.

“I will probably let my kids trap shoot,” she said. “I believe my dad will help me teach my kids.”