How to Set Up a Basic Skeet Course
Skeet shooting has been a popular pastime since the 1700s. Shooting skeet began as practice for bird hunting, but it soon became a sport itself. Originally, live birds and sometimes hats were used as targets. Years later, clay discs replaced the birds and hats, becoming the more humane, cost-effective kind of target. Today, sportsmen join skeet shooting clubs and courses to enjoy the sport; however, with an open tract of land, some careful measuring and a passion for the sport, you can make and enjoy your own basic skeet course.
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Things You'll Need
- 2 skeet traps
- 7 flagged markers
- Measuring wheel
- Spray paint
- Stake
- Supply of clay discs
Instructions
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Use the measuring wheel to measure a 42-yard line. Mark the beginning and end of the distance with a flagged marker. The flagged markers will later be used to indicate shooting stations.
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Find the center of the line and mark it with the stake. This is the skeet course's center point. Use the measuring wheel to make a 21-yard line extending perpendicular from the center of the 42-yard line. Mark the end of the 21-yard line with a flagged marker.
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Create a half-circle with the rest of the flagged markers. Place two markers evenly spaced on an arc between the beginning of the 42-yard line and the end of the 21-yard. Place the other two markers evenly spaced along an arc between the end of the 42-yard line and the end of the 21-yard line. Each of the markers along the half-circle should be 21 yards from the center point; this will give the course its half-circle shape and seven stations.
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Each of the markers indicates a station from where a person can shoot. At the two stations on either end of the half-circle -- the two stations at either end of the original 42-yard line -- place a skeet trap, the machine that will throw the clay discs.
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Load the skeet traps with clay discs, and then enjoy practicing shooting skeet from any of the seven shooting stations.
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Tips & Warnings
To meet official skeet course standards, install shooting houses -- a high house and a low house -- at the stations where the traps are located.
The skeet course should be in an open area.
Use skeet traps with timers to avoid having to reload a trap after each clay deployment.
Never practice shooting if others are in the area.
Use caution when aiming at a target and be mindful of what's beyond it.
Keep guns unloaded and on safety when not in use.
Wear eye and ear protection when shooting.
Never shoot while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
References
Resources
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