Minnesota Trapshooting Association
MTA Hall Of Fame
MINNESOTA TRAPSHOOTING ASSOCIATION
Minnesota Trapshooting Hall of Fame
Jerome Perron
Elected: 2025
Shooting Member
Jerome (Jerry) was an avid competitive shooter and a strong proponent of the sport of trapshooting.
Jerry’s competitive shooting career spanned nearly 60 years. During that time, his friends and competitors included some of the most well-known and accomplished shooters of his era. Jerry’s sportsmanship, integrity, and dedication to fair play were second to none. He endeavored to post his best score each time he stepped to the line in competition and often counseled others to do the same. He regularly offered valuable advice to fellow competitors to help them improve their scores. Jerry always extended fellowship and respect based on effort and sportsmanship, rather than trap scores.
During his shooting career, Jerry participated in more than 30 State Shoots, as well as competitions at many of Minnesota’s gun clubs. His lifetime Singles target count was 62,275 with a maintained 97.2% average. He also shot 62,550 Handicap targets and 43,300 Doubles targets, maintaining an average above 90%. At the Minnesota State Shoot (as well as many other state and large shoots), he participated in Championship shoot-offs multiple times. He won the Veterans Category Singles Championships in 2001 (200), 2002 (200), and 2003 (199). Jerry earned placements on 9 State Teams. In 2003, he decided to pursue ATA All-American status and successfully earned that designation as a Veteran. His shooting room was packed to the ceiling with awards from competitions throughout Minnesota and across the United States.
Jerry was a strong ambassador for Minnesota trapshooting when traveling out of state. He represented Minnesota shooting sports with pride while competing across the country and often encouraged other shooters to attend the Minnesota State Shoot. Jerry competed in the Grand American for several years, the Arizona Winter Chain for 14 years, the Southern Chain, and in many other states—from Florida to Washington.
In addition to his shooting prowess, Jerry was extremely active in promoting hunting and shooting sports. During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a certified Firearms Safety Instructor and provided annual classes. In the 1970s, he developed and taught a summer school firearms class for White Bear School District 624. In that program, participants were taught gun safety, responsible hunting, trapshooting, and shooting sports ethics. Students received their Minnesota Firearms Certificate upon completion of the class. This is likely the first sanctioned shooting activity in Minnesota schools.
He was a very active member of the White Bear Rod & Gun Club starting in 1963 and was elected president in 1972. Jerry provided leadership as president for over 10 years. He also managed the Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club for several years during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Under his leadership, shotgun leagues flourished as he provided a fair and rewarding experience for shooters. As Club Manager, he also organized ATA registered shoots during that time.
Jerry was born in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and lived there for most of his life. His last residence was only a few hundred feet from his birthplace. In 1955, Jerry enlisted in the Navy and became a member of the Seabees (United States Naval Construction Battalions). As a Seabee, he operated heavy equipment while helping build the air base at Subic Bay in the Philippines. While stationed there, he entered local shooting competitions and won two Remington shotguns. Afterward, he was stationed in Port Hueneme, California, where he also learned carpentry.
After his military service, Jerry returned home and pursued college degrees, ultimately earning Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education and Physical Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Physical Education. With these credentials, he coached several college and recreational basketball teams and launched his primary career as a schoolteacher. His Seabee-acquired skills also enabled him to provide summer jobs for himself and many family members by building houses to sell.
While Jerry passed away some years ago, his legacy lives on. Many of his students have enjoyed years of safe hunting and shooting, and countless trapshooters have implemented his advice to improve their scores. Over half of his children, along with his spouse and several grandchildren, continue to compete in shotgun leagues today.
