Shotgun'ing

This is my specialty page. I have spent the most time by far with a shotgun in my hands or in parts all around me. I am a member of the Amateur Trap Association and shoot at least 2 times a week to stay proficient. I shoot for the University of Arizona and other organizations that welcome shooters.

I have experience in Trap, Skeet, Double Trap, International Trap, Sporting Clays and 5-Stand. Below is a basic description of each.


As many shooters out there know, a few different kind of clay target sports exist. I can give an opinion on all of them because I have shot all of them, while I'm not very good at any of them I can hold my own and explain the basics.

Trap:
The simplistic of them all. A round consists of 25 birds thrown in 5 bird increments. There are 5 shooting stations in which you shoot 5 birds at each one. You stand at 16yds from the Trap house, shoot in order station 1, 2...then the order starts over until this is done 5 times, then a right hand rotation. Shooter 1 moves to station 2 and Shooter 5 go around to station 1. The birds will fly at 5 different angles. From straight away to far left or far right.

Skeet:

The second most known type of clay game. This is very different from trap where the birds are thrown across the field instead of flying away from the shooter. In this sport, you move stations after every shooter has shot at the station. The birds come from two locations. The "High House" and the "Low House." You will see the same bird every time, but the angle will be slightly different based on what station you are at.

There are International Trap and Skeet which are obviously Internationally difficult. 

The birds are twice as fast and 4 times as hard to hit. These sports have a different rotation but they are still based on the same fundamental of 25 birds.

Double Trap:

The style is the same as Trap, same rotation and everything, only there are two birds thrown instead of one. The birds fly at the same angle every time, therefore you pick a hold point for one bird, call for the bird and then when you see orange pull the trigger. Then the pick up the other bird and blast it.

5-Stand:

A basic Sporting Clays course only there is no walking and you only shoot 25 shells. This has a basic Trap rotation. The order of shooting is the same as well. You get 5 shots in 3 sets of birds. The first call you get one bird and two shots at it. Next call you get 2 birds in a report pair. Third call you get two birds in true pair. A total of 5 shots, then rotate.

Report Pair: Call for the bird, one bird is thrown, when your gun discharges the second bird is thrown.

True Pair: Call for the bird, two birds are thrown at the same time.