What is Sporting Clays:  

Sporting clays is the closest thing to actual field shooting of all shotgun sports. Rather than having clay birds thrown from standardized distances and angles as with skeet or trap, sporting clays courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, other upland birds, and even rabbits. Since there is no set season and it can be shot at any time, many hunters shoot sporting clays to further their wingshooting skills during the off-season. Targets may be thrown from literally any angle or distance to simulate wingshooting, and six different sizes of clay targets are used to further give the shooter the experience of actual hunting conditions.

Sporting clays is typically shot in squads of two to six people and played over a course of 10 to 15 shooting stations laid around fields or around the natural features of the land. The course designer is not limited in target speed, angle, or distance, so every course is different.

The most common target used in sporting clays is the clay that is used in skeet and trap. But sporting clays also uses specialty targets to introduce the illusion of speed or distance in the eye of the shooter, moving at speeds or in the ways of game birds. All can be thrown as singles or pairs.

Any shotgun that’s in safe working condition, capable of firing two shots, may be used. Any gauge can be used, but the most popular are 12 and 20 gauge. Many shooters like to shoot an over/under because it gives them two choke choices. Shooters who tend to be sensitive to recoil might prefer gas-operated semiautomatics.

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How to Shoot a Round of Clays:

To shoot a round of sporting clays, you’ll start on the assigned first station and shoot each station in order. Before the first person in every squad shoots, the referee will show your squad the targets so you’ll be familiar with what and how the targets are being thrown and strategize how you’ll shoot them.

When the previous squad has finished shooting a station and its your squads turn to shoot, hand your scorecard to the referee. When your turn comes up to shoot, be ready. Step up to the station. Then and only then do you load your shotgun. Point it safely toward the target firing area. When your gun is ready and you are in position, relax and call pull.

When you shoot, the target will be considered a dead bird if any part of it is broken. The referee will score each shot a hit or miss and has the final word.

When you’re done shooting at a station, open your gun, remove the used hulls, and exit the station. Remain behind the station, out of the way of the scorer, until all shooters have shot that station and are ready to move on.

When waiting your turn, it’s acceptable to talk in a low voice so as not to disturb shooters, scorers, and others.

You’ll find that sporting clays shooters are friendly and always eager to share their sport with beginners. So while you’re learning the sport, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Let your fellow shooters and referees know that you’re a new shooter, and they’ll go out of their way to show you the ropes and help you learn the game. Have fun!

 

Safety

The first consideration in shooting a round of sporting clays is always safety, and it starts as soon as you start to remove your shotgun from your vehicle. Make sure your gun is not loaded by opening the breech, and look down the barrel to check for obstructions. Keep the breech open to let everyone see that it is safe; if you have a over/under or side-by-side, carry it broken open with the muzzle down or up in the air.

At all times, treat the gun as if it is loaded.

Make sure to use the proper ammo, both the proper gauge and the proper shell for what you’re shooting. You should ask the gun club management what is appropriate there.

Never put a shotshell into your gun until you are on a shooting station, it is your turn, and you are in the box, ready to shoot.

If there is a malfunction or the gun does not fire, continue pointing the gun safely downrange. Then unload it or ask for assistance. The problem may be due to faulty ammo or a mechanical failure of the gun. If at any time a shot sounds light or different, stop immediately, unload, and check your barrel to make sure the wad has cleared and there are no obstructions.

Never move off a station until your gun is open and safe.

Eye and ear protection are REQUIRED any time you’re OUR sporting clays course.

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Solo Shooter

Need a lunch break but don't have anyone to shoot with?  

McMiller's Long Range Trap system has a delay that allows you to chose multiple settings allowing you to shoot by yourself with ease. 

For more information please talk to our helpful pro shop associates or follow the directions on station 1.

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McMiller Sporting Clays Course   

There is no better way to practice for the field than shooting on our sporting clays course. McMiller offers sporting clays year-round spread throughout the Kettle Moraine Forest. Our course has 13 stations (10 stations in winter) with each station having two remote control clay throwing machines. As opposed to trap, the machines will launch clays from various locations in different directions.

Shooters will obtain a sporting clays card from the main office and will pay for their shooting at the conclusion of their activity. McMiller’s course changes every week to keep variety throughout the course.

While sporting clays is a little more challenging than novice trap, our course is specifically designated to be fun and enjoyable for even the newest clay shooters and is great fun for large groups and the whole family!

In addition to our sporting clays course, McMiller also features a Five Stand trailer. Our Five Stand consists of five shooting stations that are bordered by eight traps. Each shooting station consists of a different combination of report pair presentations and true pair presentations. Shooting the full course on our Five Stand results in 25 different shots, and is a great way to increase shot versatility in the field.