Get Involved In Shotgun Shooting Sports

By Jace Bauserman Published on June 8, 2023.

With three shooting disciplines to choose from and more events than you can shake a stick at, getting involved in shotgun shooting sports is easy, fun, and a great way to spend the summer months. Whether you're a seasoned pro, novice, or newbie, summertime is shotgun time. There is no shortage of clay-busting events from east to west and north to south. From state shoots to charity shoots to national competitions, it's time to pull out the calendar and make plans to dust clays.

Get In The Know

If you're new to the trap, skeet, and sporting clays games, you must answer the: 'How do I get involved?' question.

The process is easy. Most states have a shooting association dedicated to the discipline (trap, skeet, sporting clays) you're most interested in. All it takes is Google and keyboard time; you'll be off and running afterward.

For example, I live in Colorado, and trap shooting is my game. The CO State Trapshooting Association lists events and results on its website; you can even register for shoots on the site.

To provide another example, I visited the Ohio State Trapshooting Association's website. After five minutes on the site, I could view upcoming events, get intel about shooting programs, etc. Technology has made getting involved in something you're interested in extremely easy. Please take advantage of it.

The Big Three

When it comes to busting clays, three disciplines reign supreme. Some shooters opt to become an expert at one, while others dabble in a pair or all three. Regardless, if you're new to the shotgun-shooting sports world, here's some intel about the Big Three.

Trap

Likely the most popular, trap shooting is both fun and addictive. Dating back to the 18th century, trap shooting is the oldest shotgun sport in the United States.

Trap shooting uses a single house, typically placed partially underground, and sends clay targets out of a window in the house at a speed of 42 miles per hour. The 4 1/4-inch diameter clay disc moves away from its release point and away from the shooter, much like a flushing bird in a hunting scenario. The shooter must bust the clay target in flight to score a hit.

Trap shooters shoot five shots from five positions and fire 25 shots per round.

Like all shotgun sports, trap shooting can be enjoyed by those of any age or ability level.

Skeet Shooting

Developed in Massachusetts in 1920, skeet shooting is different from trap shooting in several ways. For starters, there is a high house (10 feet high) and a low house (3.5 feet high) above ground. Shooters shoot from seven positions on a semi-circular field and fire 25 rounds. In most instances, aside from the central location pad, targets fly from left to right and right to left to simulate a crossing shot.

Two forms of skeet shooting exist — American and International. The American version showcases slower targets and no delay after the shooter has called for their target. The International version, also known as Olympic skeet, has a delay between zero and three seconds after the shooter calls for the target.

Like trap shooting, in skeet shooting, the shooter, after calling for the target, only must make a visible shatter of the target for the disc to be scored as dead. In shotgun sports, a small fragment of disc peeling off due to contact with lead is as good as the disc vaporizing from contact with a more significant portion of the shotshell pellet pattern.

sporting league image of man with shotgun

Sporting Clays

Some call it "the red-headed stepchild" of the three disciplines, but sporting clays is arguably the most enjoyable and the choice of many that use shotgun shooting sports to prepare for upland and waterfowl seasons.

Like a 3-D archery course, shooters move from one shooting scenario to another along a set route that often provides a second-to-none backdrop, depending on where in the country you're shooting.

Unlike trap and skeet, no two courses mirror one another, and many shooters consider sporting clays the most difficult of the three disciplines due to the ever-changing launch patterns, target speeds, and angles.

Hit The Highway

Now that you know how to get involved and what you want to get involved in; finding shoots is never a problem. On any given weekend, most states throughout the summer have many shotgun competitions in different locations across the state. Your city or county may have a trap, skeet, or sporting clay club or association as well.

One of the best ways to be able to shoot regularly, whether it be a summer league or a destination to practice between tournaments, is to join a city or county shotgun shooting sports complex.

Here are a few not to miss and great locations hosting multiple tournaments throughout the year.

The Grand American

The 2023 Grand American is a yearly must-attend tournament in Sparta, Illinois. This year marks this trap tournament's 124th year, and once again, Browning will have its full gunsmithing shop available to work on firearms.

The National Shooting Complex

The National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, is a must-visit location, and throughout the year, numerous shoots like the World Skeet Championships, National Sporting Clays Championships, SCTP Texas State Championship , and others are held there. Plus, the facility is open to public use, making it an excellent regular practice facility or a place to get your feet wet. Browning has partnered with a local gun dealer and has a shop at the National Shooting Complex, and shooters can check out shotguns, use them, and purchase them right there if they decide.

The Cardinal Center

Located in Marengo, Ohio, The Cardinal Center is a fantastic shooting facility that, like the National Shooting Complex, hosts a litany of trap and sporting clay events each year. Some must-attend 2023 events include the Buckeye Open, Ohio State Shoot, Cardinal Classic, and the Ohio Sporting Clays Championship. Another event to check out is the 2023 SCTP Nationals held at the Cardinal Center.

Few things are more addictive or enjoyable than going boom and busting clay targets. Getting the ball rolling is super easy, and you don't have to have a fancy trap, skeet, or sporting clays gun to get started. Your pump-action waterfowl wrecker will work fine to get your feet wet, and then, if you decide shotgun shooting sports are right for you, you can always graduate to a Citori 725, Citori, or Cynergy shotgun.

Enjoy the process and have fun along the way. Get your family involved in shooting sports and attend shoots and practice sessions together. Shotgun shooting sports are a great discipline and an excellent way to spend time with family and friends outdoors.