How to Shoot a Game of Trap

Trapshooting

Trap shooting is one of several shotgun sports where shooters attempt to break round, clay discs either thrown from a machine or hurled by a person. The 4 1/2-inch discs are referred to as “clay pigeons” as a reminder of when trap started as a sport in the 19th century and live pigeons were used.

Things You'll Need

• Shotgun
• Shotgun shells
• Shooting goggles
• Earplugs

Instructions

1. Starting a round of trap starts with lining up on the trap field consisting of five stations in front of the trap machine, which is usually located in an enclosure, called the “trap house.” The machine is set to rotate back and forth therefore throwing many different angles. The closest a shooter can get to the trap machine is 16 yards and this is called “Singles. The typical trap shoot consists of five shooters lined up in a row on stations 1 through 5.

2. Load one shotgun shell in the shotgun each person waits for his turn. At his turn, he yells “pull” which releases the clay pigeon to be shot at. Older trap machines are set off by a human “puller” by hand. Newer machines can be activated by microphone. Each person takes five shots at five clays, then moves to the next station. At the end of the round, each person has shot a box of 25 shotgun shells.

3. Take five shots at five clays, then move to the next station. At the end of the round, each person has shot a box of 25 shotgun shells.

4. Clays are thrown at different angles, ranging from almost 90 degrees to fairly straight. Because shotguns fire shells which hold small pellets, the shot gunner breaks the clays by “sweeping’ across and past the flying bird so send a pattern of pellets streaming into the clay. A direct hit will cause the clay to “puff” away in a cloud of dust. Even if the clay is only chipped, this counts as a hit.

5. In addition to singles and handicapped, there is the “double trap” in which two clays fly out at one time. The shooter, standing at the 16-yard line, needs to be fast to break both of the clays, which fly in opposite directions.

Tips & Warnings

• Always practice gun safety.

• Gun safety is tantamount in shooting trap. Guns should be open to show empty magazines and when carried, pointed at the ground. Eye and ear protection need to be worn and children need to be monitored at all times.