The ever changing game of Sporting Clays

[Browningfan369]

I've been shooting sporting for about 10 years now. I loved it from the first time I stepped on a course. I remember the days of trappers and hand operated machines, and cheap course fees. I know the course owners are doing their best to keep the cost down and I understand they really have no choice when it comes to costs and keeping the business running. I appreciate their efforts. The biggest changes I've noticed is of course in the targets, better equipment, creative targets setters, the better use of terrain, and better shooters have all caused the game to evolve away from it roots as a "hunters" game into an almost pure target shooters game. All I know is that I use to have a full head of hair when I started shooting sporting, now I'm alot lighter in my wallet,  as well as on the top of my head. It can be frustrating but I love it. 

[shotgunfun]

       Fan, if you think you've lost some hair since targets have changed over the years, how do you think I feel!!!!

                 Dr. Evil

[Mr. Smallgame]

Fan
    I really enjoy shooting clays, but I know what you mean about some of the difficulty of some of the targets.  I was at a benefit shoot the other weekend and was placed with a number of first time shooters.  For someone who shoots on a regular basis I think it was a good setup (there are some targets I will never hit), but for a benefit with many first time shooters I think they could have removed some of the expert targets and maybe gained a few new shooters. Early on some talked about doing it again because it was fun, after a few of the harder targets the talk died away.

[Vernon National]

in my short time as a clays manager the most important thing i have learned is the importance of setting the difficulty level of the course correctly. no matter what guys like to break targets at all levels. one thing i found is that it is very easy to set a hard course but very difficult to set a easy course. when setting the course i try to have a small number of real easy targets and a few real hard targets and the rest very breakable but not just cream puffs.

some thing i learned from a very bald guy on the forum, i won't say any names, was when ever you set a tough target make the other one easy at that station. so usually i will make it report and if you do miss that easy one take other shot at it and for get the hard one.

we had a large benefit shoot this past spring and most of our time spent getting ready was on setting the targets just right. the regulars came away with good scores but were still challenged. the new shooters came away with lots of broken targets and some laughs over the harder ones but not discouraged.

something i always keep in mind is i want the shooters to stand in the station and say "i can break those" but if he stands there and sees the show me pair and instantly says "no way i can't break that" he is beat and not happy with me.

[Mr. Smallgame]

Sounds perfect to me

[shotgunfun]

       It's the "easy" targets we miss that kill the score!! Most shooters will miss the tough tourney targets, while the better shooters will break them, that's why those targets are the "separators". The "easy" or "soft" targets are the birds the better shooters do not miss. It's all about 100% focus on the bird and not taking anything for granted. Without the hard focus, the guy that shoots a 70 on a medium to hard difficulty course will still shoot a 70 on a soft course because he's not paying attention. Jason, welcome to the dark side!!

[benniesdad]

My home course is fortunately large enough to allow two courses to be set.  As a general rule, one course is set for recreational shooters and the other is more in line with what you would see at an NSCA registered event.    Generally the courses flip flop after major events.  If your facility can accommodate two courses, this is perfect.   The recreational course gets lots of use by higher class shooters also for practice on specific targets that may be troubling and for subguage.  If you can do it, that is the way to go.

[Marplot]

Several courses around Atlanta have an easy course (sometimes called a "Quail Course) and a harder one called a "Pheasant Course." At events, you shoot one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. If you like, you can shoot two of the same course, but you are only scored on the first course at a registered shoot.

[Hawk]

We do a large number of fund rasing events here in S. Louisiana and around 10 registered shoots each year. In a nutshell, it means that the targets change on a more than regular basis.

IMO, the fund rasing targets need to both satisfy and picque the interests of the folks attending, with scores ranging from the mid 90's down. On the other hand, I am known for having a more difficult target set for the registered shoots.

I try not to throw anything on the registered end of things that exceeds 50 yards at it's break point. I tend to throw targets in the 30 to 45 yd range with the presentations being technical. On my sets, what I want to do is make you read the set. If you read it correctly, one target will lead into the other. If you misread it, you better be ready to move your barrel quite a bit.

Fund raisers are for fun. Registered shoots need to challenge your ability with your shotgun.

Hawk