Beginner trap shooting competition

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  • bigmanindc

    Active Member
    Nov 3, 2018
    463
    DMV
    Is it necessary to join a gun club to shoot competitively or are competitions open to the public?
     

    Tomfowl

    Member
    Oct 14, 2010
    18
    Towson
    Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center has a winter league starting November 8th that is open to the public. Shooters receive handicap targets based on their score. Competition starts at 10:00 AM. Call 410-252-3851 for more information.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    AGC is open to public Sunday and on Wednesday nights if memory serves. PG Trap and Skeet is open to the public all the time. Three Rivers is open to non members on Thursday nights.

    I know PG Trap and Skeet allows anyone to sign up for competitions. The others I am not sure about.
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    Are you talking about formal competition? Even if the club is a members only club 99% of registered trap shoots are open to the public. You must join the ATA (American Trapshooting Association). They’re the national governing body for Trapshooting Competition. It’s only $20/year and another $30 if you want the magazine. Spend the extra $30! Lots of good information. These shoots are more formal than the winter, spring or fall leagues or fun shoots that clubs may host. They usually cost more too. Most people “graduate” from shooting league shoots to shooting registered targets. This isn’t a requirement though. You can join the ATA below or at a shoot. Before going to a shoot you may want to familiarize yourself with the rule book.

    https://shootata.com/Membership/OnlineMembershipApplication.aspx

    If you’re not talking about formal competition then a lot of members only clubs have “open” nights that non-members can shoot. Usually at a higher cost. PG and Loch Raven are the two biggest public shotgun ranges in the area. They’re always open to everyone.

    Let me know if you have any more questions. I shoot more Skeet but have been shooting shotgun for 35+ years.
     

    bigmanindc

    Active Member
    Nov 3, 2018
    463
    DMV
    Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Center has a winter league starting November 8th that is open to the public. Shooters receive handicap targets based on their score. Competition starts at 10:00 AM. Call 410-252-3851 for more information.

    Looks interesting but looking to start out with Trap shooting not sure if I'm ready for Skeet yet. Might not be ready for Trap but willing to try.

    AGC is open to public Sunday and on Wednesday nights if memory serves. PG Trap and Skeet is open to the public all the time. Three Rivers is open to non members on Thursday nights.

    I know PG Trap and Skeet allows anyone to sign up for competitions. The others I am not sure about.

    Looks like good places to get some practice in if I can find a league to get in.


    Are you talking about formal competition? Even if the club is a members only club 99% of registered trap shoots are open to the public. You must join the ATA (American Trapshooting Association). They’re the national governing body for Trapshooting Competition. It’s only $20/year and another $30 if you want the magazine. Spend the extra $30! Lots of good information. These shoots are more formal than the winter, spring or fall leagues or fun shoots that clubs may host. They usually cost more too. Most people “graduate” from shooting league shoots to shooting registered targets. This isn’t a requirement though. You can join the ATA below or at a shoot. Before going to a shoot you may want to familiarize yourself with the rule book.

    https://shootata.com/Membership/OnlineMembershipApplication.aspx

    If you’re not talking about formal competition then a lot of members only clubs have “open” nights that non-members can shoot. Usually at a higher cost. PG and Loch Raven are the two biggest public shotgun ranges in the area. They’re always open to everyone.

    Let me know if you have any more questions. I shoot more Skeet but have been shooting shotgun for 35+ years.

    I was looking at the ATA website that's why I asked about the membership to the gun clubs. When you say formal competition are you saying a league isn't formal competition? Definitely looking for a situation where the butterflies in your stomach can make or break you.
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    Looks interesting but looking to start out with Trap shooting not sure if I'm ready for Skeet yet. Might not be ready for Trap but willing to try.







    Looks like good places to get some practice in if I can find a league to get in.









    I was looking at the ATA website that's why I asked about the membership to the gun clubs. When you say formal competition are you saying a league isn't formal competition? Definitely looking for a situation where the butterflies in your stomach can make or break you.

    You have just general shooting or practice. The next step up is league shooting. The rules are set by the club or clubs if it’s a traveling league. The scores aren’t used for anything else except for that league. The “highest” level of competition is registered ATA targets. The scores get reported to the national organization and your average/yardage is based off of those scores for the 3 different events within American Trapshooting. Averages are used for singles and doubles. Handicap is shot at varying yardages based on your scores. The better you shoot the further back they move you up to 27 yards. Leagues are more formal than just shooting for fun because there’s money to be won but they aren’t the same as ATA targets. You should look into the various winter leagues that are starting up.

    Here’s one at Carroll that’s starting up.
    http://carrollgun.com/default.asp?menu=league

    This is probably the biggest one in the area. It’s finishing up though.

    http://heartofmaryland.net/
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    You have the League and Tournament for Trap info above .

    *******************

    If you're interested in Skeet , by all means give it a try . You don't have to do one game before the other . Starting as a beginner , they are equivalent to learn , and sufficiently different, there is only moderate carry over .
     

    martman

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 2, 2017
    81
    I'm debating a new shotgun just for trap/skeet. Unfortunately I haven't been to many ranges in MD yet. Would a synthetic stock be a good idea? Back in NY we wouldnt shoot rain or shine, but close enough. Synthetic would make sense.
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    I'm debating a new shotgun just for trap/skeet. Unfortunately I haven't been to many ranges in MD yet. Would a synthetic stock be a good idea? Back in NY we wouldnt shoot rain or shine, but close enough. Synthetic would make sense.

    The only serious clay target shotgun I’ve seen with a synthetic stock is a Remington 1100 competition semi auto. A real target shotgun besides the Remington will have a wood stock. Strongly recommend an adjustable comb. We shoot competition in the rain and snow too. You’ll still have to clean the gun afterwards. The gun will rust overnight if left in the trunk type case that the majority of target shooters use.
     

    martman

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 2, 2017
    81
    Yup, thats the model I was thinking of. A bit unfortunate hearing about all the cleaning, but thanks for the advice
     

    bigmanindc

    Active Member
    Nov 3, 2018
    463
    DMV
    You have just general shooting or practice. The next step up is league shooting. The rules are set by the club or clubs if it’s a traveling league. The scores aren’t used for anything else except for that league. The “highest” level of competition is registered ATA targets. The scores get reported to the national organization and your average/yardage is based off of those scores for the 3 different events within American Trapshooting. Averages are used for singles and doubles. Handicap is shot at varying yardages based on your scores. The better you shoot the further back they move you up to 27 yards. Leagues are more formal than just shooting for fun because there’s money to be won but they aren’t the same as ATA targets. You should look into the various winter leagues that are starting up.

    Here’s one at Carroll that’s starting up.
    http://carrollgun.com/default.asp?menu=league

    This is probably the biggest one in the area. It’s finishing up though.

    http://heartofmaryland.net/

    Will definitely sign up for this. I also see an event at Anne Arundel Fish & Game with ATA & State fees of $6, other than the one day vs 3 months time length what is if any difference?
     

    Aamdskeetshooter

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 19, 2013
    1,744
    Moco
    Will definitely sign up for this. I also see an event at Anne Arundel Fish & Game with ATA & State fees of $6, other than the one day vs 3 months time length what is if any difference?

    The shooters at registered shoots can take it very seriously. Some people spend ridiculous amounts of money doing this and they want good scores. They’re not there to joke around while shooting. Or give or get instruction. They’re going to assume you know the rules and proper etiquette. You’ll definitely want to mention that this is your first registered shoot to both the person doing the sign up and to the others on your squad before you start. Better yet, email Robert and tell him you’d like to shoot your first ATA targets. Ask if he can set you up with someone that could show you the ropes. Get to your field early. Have everything you could possibly need with you and not at your car. Extra shells. You’ll need to know what to do if your gun malfunctions or you have a bad shell or a target comes out broken. Don’t touch anyone’s gun! I know it sounds stupid to say but I’ve seen people do it. I don’t know if you’re aware but there may be guns there that are $10,000 and up. Think about that when you’re throwing your gun in the gun rack because you’re pissed you missed a couple of birds and the gun 4 inches away is from yours is big $$$$$. Trust me it will ruin your day and his day if you knock over his gun. I’ve seen that happen several times over the years. One guy leaned on the gun rack a little too much. Several of the guns were prevented from falling. The gun that wasn’t caught hit the ground and the stock split in two. The gun was a $14,000 gun. The guy who screwed up just said to send him the bill. It was around $5000. Of course now the guy whose gun is broken can’t shoot unless he has a backup. Even if he has a backup it isn’t going to be what he’s used to shooting. And he’s so pissed off he can’t see straight. Do you shoot an automatic? If you do, does your gun eject the hulls so far that it can hit the guy or his gun next to you? I’ve seen that become an issue. Don’t pick up the hulls on the ground. A lot of clubs have rules that say if it hits the ground it’s theirs. You won’t have time to pick up your hulls if you shoot an auto. If you shoot a single barrel or o/u you should be ejecting them into your hand and putting them in your pouch or vest pocket. Depending on the format you may shoot 25 targets per field and then go to the next field for the next 25 and so on. Or they can do 50 targets a field then slide. Again don’t be the guy everyone’s waiting for.

    No one cares about your score. They care about theirs. They may be watching your birds to see how the birds are flying. They’re not watching to see if you’re hitting them or not. Or why you’re missing them. Don’t get embarrassed if you miss a few in a row. It happens. Forget about it and shoot the next bird. The only bird that matters is the one you’re getting ready to shoot.

    I’m definitely not trying to persuade you not to shoot it. If I’m coming across that way I’m sorry. That’s not my intention. I’m just trying to give you a realistic idea of what it may be like so you do well, the others on your squad do well and everyone has a good time. That’s what this is all about isn’t it? I have no idea the atmosphere of that club or shoot. It may be laid back. It’s late in the season and it’s a relatively small club. Normally the bigger the shoot the more serious the shooters/atmosphere are. I’m sure I’ve left out things. If you can remember all of that also remember to have fun!
     

    Mr H

    Banana'd
    JMO...

    If you are just starting, keep it simple, and there is no need to "join" anything.

    PG and LR are great places to just meet up with folks, get a few rounds in once in a while, and see if you like it.

    There doesn't have to be any pressure or competition, other than for yourself as you learn tips, tricks and methods.

    Time was, folks here would post up that they're going to whatever facility, and see if anyone wanted to go along.
     
    Last edited:

    gtodave

    Member
    MDS Supporter
    Aug 14, 2007
    14,174
    Mt Airy
    Is it necessary to join a gun club to shoot competitively or are competitions open to the public?

    If you haven't shot much trap, you'll want to go up on one of the public nights to any of the aforementioned clubs, and just shoot a few rounds to familiarize yourself with the etiquette, and get some consistent scores. If you start doing these competitions where you are moving up and back and you start dropping birds, you're going to have a hard time figuring out what you are doing wrong unless you have a good base to work from.

    The open nights typically shoot from the 16 yard spot. The competitions can move back to 26 yards or farther. You might not think 10 yards is a big difference, but it is. From the 26 yard spot, the birds are probably 46 yards away or more, so you'll want to make sure your gun will pattern well at the distances you're shooting.
     

    Winged Pig

    Active Member
    Aug 20, 2008
    736
    Calvert County
    All good advice.

    Go to one of the clubs when they are open to the public and tell them you are new. They will put you on a squad with people who will help out. I had never shot a full round of trap and mentioned that when I first showed up.

    My first shot I had the wrong barrel selected. There I was a guest at the local club, no experience, no equipment and an old small field gun in the midst of a squad of obvious regulars. Click. Felt pretty stupid, but the guy next to me just smiled and said that's okay, do it again. After the round no one tried to fix any of my many issues and just smiled or nodded. No one complained about me carrying my box of shells and setting them down next to my feet after taking the time to pull out five and put them in my sweatshirt pocket. A very accommodating group of people.

    As long as you are safe you will be fine. Don't close your barrels or action until you are ready to shoot, load only one round at a time unless shooting doubles, make sure your gun is unloaded and opened when moving to, from or between stations, don't talk on the line as the targets are sound activated - and wait to shoot until it is your turn. (don't ask me how I know about that last one...) I'm sure that it happens, but I've never seen anyone be anything other than polite and respectful even when they may not be totally happy with someones actions. That is in general and does not include touching someone else's gun...

    Sorry if I've mentioned things that you already knew/learned/researched. Just offering my .02 cents.

    I have found that Trap is much more friendly and accepting than most of the other shooting disciplines. I guess that and how much fun it is is the reason I have stuck with it. Friendly people, relaxed atmosphere, and lots of places to shoot.

    In the game of Trap, it's not hard to hit a clay bird, but it is very easy to miss. So don't get upset when you do miss. And just like the rest of us, you will. :)

    Join the ATA, pick a local club, find out when it is open to the public, and go have fun. Good luck
     

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