Sporting Clays (shooting)

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Sporting Clays is a clay pigeon shooting sport. Often described as golf with a shotgun, the sport differs from skeet and trap shooting in that it involves shooting clays at various locations which are launched at different velocities and angles. The original idea behind sporting clays was to create an experience that more closely reflects actual hunting conditions. Whereas top-tier skeet and trap professionals may have hit ratios nearing 100%, the best sporting clay shooters hit their targets only about 85% of the time.

Equipment

Although the sport is challenging, it is quite popular with novice shooters and ordinary hunters. While professional shooters opt for expensive double-barreled or autoloading shotguns, the game can be equally enjoyed with an inexpensive pump-operated hunting piece. Naturally, safety is paramount. Proper hearing and eye protection is required while on the course.

Course layout and play

A typical course will consist of eight to twelve stations. Varying numbers of clay pairs are shot at each station, with the total shots for an outing adding up to 50 or 100 (two or four boxes of shells, respectively). Advanced shooters have the clays thrown as simultaneous pairs, while novice or intermediate shooters can opt for the clays to be thrown on report (the second clay launched the instant that the shooter fires at the first clay). Clays are thrown at different angles and speeds; sometimes across the shooters view, towards the shooter, or away from the shooter. The shots are intended to simulate hunting for quail, grouse, pheasant, dove, or other game. Many courses have traps which throw clays from tall towers simulating high-flying ducks or geese. Some courses have clays that roll and bounce along the ground to simulate rabbits.