Sporting Clays

Through the support of the Spruce Grove Gun Club we were able to shoot Sporting Clays at the club last year.  From all reports, it was a significant success.  Last year we were able to shoot on 40 days with 156 “people days” being recorded.  For example, if 5 people were shooting on one day, we would count that as 5 “people days.”  The sporting clay shooters pay $1 per box of shotgun shells they shoot to the SGGC for the use of the grounds and the facilities. 

Between the warm weather and the strong interest from shotgun shooters, 2008 is off to a tremendous start…and we looking for a terrific year. 

If you know of anyone who likes to hunt with a shotgun, whether ducks, geese or upland birds, they will enjoy shooting sporting clays.  Sporting clays is one of the fastest growing shooting sports in North America.  You do not have to shoot “competitively” to enjoy shooting sporting clays.  The vast majority of people that shoot sporting clays do so for pure pleasure and enjoyment.  Sporting clays was established to resemble field hunting conditions and allow shot gun shooters to enjoy shooting when there is no open bird season.  Most bird hunting enthusiasts agree that sporting clay shooting greatly improves their efficiency during the fall hunting season.

At SGGC, we really like to work with kids (and new shooters!!) to help them understand the need for gun safety, the fun of being in the out of doors, and how they could become a better shotgun shooter.  Kids are the future and if we want to leave anything to our children knowledge of guns and how to use them safely while having a relaxing time enjoying nature is about as good as it gets. 

Initial plans were to hold several “fun” events over the summer.  The strong interest in sporting clay shooting has the machines in action most weekends (either Saturday or Sunday…most weekends both days) and most Thursday evenings.  As much as shooting a shotgun is fun, doing so in the rain and strong winds is not a lot of fun so it is as weather permits.

Price remains a concern for all shooters.  Due to our ability to buy targets in bulk quantities, we are able to keep the price the same as it was last year, which is well below other sporting clay shooting facilities in Alberta.  The club is being very generous in offering this service at minimal charge.  The targets will be provided at a cost of $5 per box of shells.  You can come and shoot one box of shells or 10 if you are up to it.  Almost everyone who gives it a whirl finds the first 2-3 boxes of shells disappear in a hurry…now that is a sign of having fun!!

Sporting clay shooting can be made so that the novice 12 year old can be successful and a shooting scenario can be produced that will make the most experienced shooter cringe.  This is accomplished using several factors; speed of the target, window in which the target is available to be broken, speed of the target, height the target is thrown above the ground, distance from the shooter, different speeds from one target to another, releasing both targets at the same time, size of the target, etc.  In contrast to trap and skeet, sporting clays allows for targets that are different shapes, sizes and colours to be thrown at different speeds, angles and distances…or any combination of all these options.  In the past we have only thrown only one size of target (a standard 108mm target, usually all orange in colour).  The speed, angle, distance of the target is changed regularly but please understand; targets will be thrown that you can break.  This year different coloured targets will be thrown.  In addition to all orange targets, green and black targets will be thrown.  Also, all targets in the past have been a standard size (108mm) and this year the shooters will get a crack at a midi target, which is only 90mm in diameter.   Looking forward to sharing the passion for shooting sporting clays with you this summer!!! 

Grant

SGGC Sporting Clay Rep.