The Clay Hunter Shotgun Sports For Beginners
How to go from a weekend hobbyist to a competition shooter
- Do you shoot at least once every other month, if not every month?
- Do you own a shotgun and is it reliable?
- Do you have a preferred shooting discipline such as Trap, Skeet or Sporting Clays?
- Do you have the funds or resources to purchase ammo regularly?
Let us go over why I asked you to ponder those questions above
- Shooting Frequency: If you are going to become a competitive shooter you will need to start registering targets with the host organization of the shoots you are competing in. This means that you may need to find a local club or range that hosts registered target shoots and partake in their monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly or any other frequency that they offer to compete and put some scores down on paper. Some organizations or leagues will require that you meet a minimum number of registered targets per year, so unless you are fortunate enough to live near a venue that hosts frequent registered target events, then you will have to commit to traveling every few months to enter competitions. For example, as a clay shooter living in my neck of the woods (San Diego, CA) to compete in registered shoots (e.g. let’s say the ATA, NSSA & NSCA) I have to drive at least an hour and a half to two hours.
- Personal Equipment: Chances are if you are ready to move from “plinking” to competing, you more than likely already have your shotgun. So instead, let us focus on the second part of the question of how reliable is your firearm. If you already visit the range more than just a few times a year and have invested in a shotgun that exceeds entry-level standards then you are more than likely in the clear. The concern lies more with those who are using a field model or entry-level Shotgun. Between registered events and practice you are bound to be blowing through a high volume of shells and if your gun can’t hold up to the stress, you may find yourself waiting on a gunsmith for repairs which usually takes weeks and sometimes months to complete.
- Shooting Disciplines: Do you have a game that you enjoy shooting more than others. Have you put thought into what discipline you plan to focus on and compete in? Most leagues and organizations are based on a single shooting discipline. All around types of tournaments that allow you to compete in multiple disciplines are usually not as common. Some of the main organizations to choose from or as follows:
ATA = Amature Trap Association (shootata.com)
NSSA = National Skeet Shooting Association (nssa-nsca.org)
NSCA = National Sporting Clay Association (nssa-nsca.org)
FITASC = Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse (fitasc.com)
SSSF = Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (sssfonline.org)
ISSF = International Shooting Sport Federation (issf-sports.org) - Ammo & Cost: The part that we all hate to admit or even think about… the cost of clay shooting. We all know that this is far from the cheapest hobby or sport out there and becoming competitive will only add to the number of shells, targets, and cash you will blow through at the range. Outside of cost, the availability of shells might be an issue to some. More specifically, to those (like I) who live in California. Without going deep into the politics of it, the recent changes to California gun laws may change the accessibility of competing in this state or at least hassle-free competing. The state has restricted internet sales from being shipped directly to the buyer, limiting the availability to buy ammo in bulk at a discounted rate. So now we are limited to high prices with less purchasing options. Not to mention, I believe we are now the only state in the country that requires a background check during the point of sale for ammo. This means you have to have all of your identification and records up to date to buy ammo. Some shooting disciplines may require special target loads that may be harder to acquire due to these recent changes, especially in large quantities. Years before none of this would be a factor but it may be something to think about and add to your preparation checklist.
Steps To Becoming a Competitive Shooter
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Find a local gun club or range that hosts fun shoots:
Take a look at each of the websites for the organizations/associations listed above and search for local ranges that offer hosted shoots. Chances are your local ranges have a league or fun shoot available outside of the registered target shoots. Fun shoots, in the case of sporting clays and/or 5-Stand, usually allow non-competitive shooters to shoot the same courses that are set up for the registered target shoots. By entering a fun shoot you will get the chance to sign up, pay an entry fee, shoot a specially designed course, have a “trapper” pull targets and record scores for you all in the same manner as a registered shoot. You will get to follow the same procedure as a registered target shoot without having your scores being recorded in the books. Thus allowing you to become familiar with the whole process. Trap, Skeet & 5-Stand leagues are also a great way to practice informally so that you can get used to shooting with a squad and having someone besides a friend pull targets for you. You can apply the same practice ideas at smaller gun clubs that only have 1 or two Trap/Skeet/5-Stand fields because, unless you are there with 4 other friends, they will most likely assign you to a squad allowing you to practice with others. Additionally, the same once again applies to large venues, if you are out practicing and see a group of seasoned shooters, don’t be afraid to ask if you can shoot a round with them. -
Take a lesson with a professional:
In general, a one-on-one lesson with a professional is never a bad idea. Anyone who is a masterclass shooter or trained professional qualified enough to give private lessons most likely has been through their fair share of competitions. There is nothing wrong with asking an instructor to not only assist you with your shooting technique but you can also inform them that you would like to start competing and that you would like them to help walk you through the process during your lesson. Outside of instructors, if you know that your local range hosts registered shoots be sure to ask the manager for information on how to join and participate. If they are not able to point you in the right direction I am sure they will have a contact they can provide you with. -
Find an organization or league to shoot within and sign up to be a member:
OK, so you took my advice from steps 1 & 2 and have either joined a couple of fun shoots and got your feet wet or you did your research and asked a professional coach or range administrator for additional help. The next step is to sign up for the big leagues. Pick one of the organizations listed earlier and become a member. In most cases, you will have to pay an annual membership fee and create a profile so that they can start recording your scores and place you in a class. Alternatively, if you still want to compete but in more of an informal environment then stick with local leagues or just continue practicing with fun shoots. -
Read the rules and documentation available from step 3
Once you have signed up for a league or organization you will be presented with the rules and bylaws. Review them and pay attention to what they ask of their members. -
Get Social:
Use social media platforms or web forums and join public groups based around the discipline you are shooting in. Some of the Facebook groups out there have tens of thousands of members, some of whom have been competing for decades. If you have specific questions or concerns there will be plenty of folks who may be able to answer or even become a mentor. - Start shooting registered targets to be placed into a class:
Go Shoot! Shoot Local, shoot often and rack up those scores. Start trying to travel to shoots outside of your normal clubs to change it up and challenge yourself with different target setters. Look into statewide shoots, climb the class ranks and when ready make a vacation out of it and travel to some national or regional shoots! Either way, as I said… “Just go shoot!” 🙂
- Dial-in your shotgun setup/fit and test the reliability of high volume shooting through your shotgun by practicing often throughout the year.
- Find Fun Shoots or Lague Shoots at your local clubs or ranges so that you can shoot in a competitive-like environment but more of a relaxed setting.
- Talk to your local club or range to ask how to sign up for registered target shoots
- If you are still shy, nervous or unsure of where to begin, sign up for a lesson with a professional and ask that they help demonstrate how a competitive shoot would play out.
- Become a member with an organization that regulates and hosts competitive events in the shooting discipline of your choice.
- Joins Social Groups with other competitors
- Sign up for your first shoot and go compete so you can establish some baseline scores and find out what class you will be apart of
Disclaimer: This post was written based on my own personal experiences and steps taken. Outside of a few ATA shoots in the past, I do not actively compete but am in the middle of the process described above. I have been partaking in fun shoots and getting ready to compete in the future. I hope that my experiences and suggestions will help encourage others to do the same.
