So I found a public trap house nearby and was kind of curious what I can expect. Below is a screen capture from google maps-- I see the outline of what I assume to be the shooting area-- can someone explain to me how this fanned area working? I assume I have to bring my own clays, how do I operate the machinery, etc? In other words, what do I need to know so I don't look like an idiot?
I'll give it a go.. The grey squares probably house the throwers, automatic remote controlled units. You'd just need to load the clays into the hoppers and go from there. Or you'll need someone to go with you if they're manually operated, they'd get the grunt work of loading and triggering the throwers. Don't know the set-up there. The splayed out area is set up for 5 shooters. The "palm" puts you closer to the house, so a better spot for beginners. The further back you go on the "fingers", the more challenging the shooting becomes. There should be distance marks so you you know the yardage you've positioned yourself at. The circular driveway,...yeah...don't aim at that. That'll make you look like an idiot. Everything else should be good. Have fun, don't worry about missing at first, you'll learn how to lead the clays, hi/lo bead at certain distances, stuff like that. It'll be fun, start stocking up on Wallyworld low base shells now. edit- leave the pink boa at home your first few times out.
I have no idea how a public trap setup works but it's setup just like any other. I actually used to work at a local range when i was a teenager. That box in front of the fan is the trap house where the throwers are. Their throwers are probably pre loaded and you pay per round (25 shells). Some throwers are automated and throw at the sound of your voice into a microphone at each station. While some have to be set off with a button, usually run by an extra person behind the shooters. You start on the left at the front of the fan and shoot 5 then move to your right, shoot 5 etc. If you want to add some difficulty to it you would move back in the fan which is called a "handicap". Good luck and have fun!
The front spots would be 16 yards way to the back would be 27 yard, setup for when shooting handicap. Years ago when I shot, the trap in the house would swing right to left automatically and if you were good you could time it so you could always get a straightaway bird. Then they came up with interrupters to throw the birds at random angles. You should be able to contact them and see what days they shoot and prices. They probably are supplying the birds. I used to physically run the score sheets from the different houses to the clubhouse during registered shoots at different clubs in the area. Twenty bucks a day was good money for a 11-12 year old kid over 45 years ago! Gary
Here is some good reading for you to help you get motivated! http://www.traphof.org/Inductees/Bradley-Hiram.html Gary
Don't worry about looking like a beginner! Actually, you should embrace it. Just like working with chainsaws, guns can be very dangerous, and anyone working at the trap house should be more than happy to walk you through the steps to have fun and be safe. Bring your own shells, but they should provide the clays and you'll pay per clay.
The one place I go to uses a microphone to launch the clays. Clays are provided. Iirc, its 6.50 per game. Take a fanny pack for ammo if you don't have a vest. This will not cause a belly laugh...trust me. Digging rounds outta your pants pockets sucks. Don't go on a windy day for your first time. Eyes and ears obviously. Watch some of the others there...especially if they have an over under. Does your gun have multiple chokes? walmart is by far the cheapest place for ammo. Get the 100 packs.
When I used to skeet shoot, there was a trap field right next to it. I remember most trap guys shot trap and skeet shooters shot skeet. The guns were a bit different. The trap guns had raised ribs down the barrel to elevate the sights for sighting below the dropping clay. Some guys put up some serious cash for trap guns. I believe the trap guys used full or modified chokes for a tighter pattern further out, and at skeet we used improved cylinder. I was always impressed with one skeet guy who we shot with, he could smoke clays with his .410 . Have fun.
Don't try to shoot with the sling on the gun. Loaded with shells, it becomes a pendulum, not a good thing for accurate shooting. Keep the gun clean, use a pouch or vest for the extra ammo. Just my .02 on that.
So much to cover. Wild West asked me to respond. Hi Griz, Wild Wild West here, the main thing is it's fun! There are probably about 300 different factors (mechanical and mental) to FOCUS on to understand how to achieve a consistently high score. That being said, leave your brain at home since your eyes, muscles, and brain are not in sync at this point. I first lesson to learn is what is your dominant eye? This is to rule out problems from the beginning. In your case, leave the belly laugh at home and don't worry about it. Trap shooters always want to see someone new join the sport and are too busy developing their own skills to drop to such a level. The most important lesson about trap is never shoot if there is something on your mind other than having fun with trap. So, to start without any training at all remember these next two steps. Never say PULL! Instead softly say uhh, and when you think you see the clay, look again, we call this a hard focus. You see a blur at first so remember to really focus again on the clay before pulling the trigger. Just some basic tips to give you a head start. If you find yourself in love with the game just contact Wild West any time you have a question about the next level. Fun stuff!
Your standard field gun will be fine - modified choke. 7-1/2's target loads or eights. Every thrown target will be rising for the first 20 yards or so out of the house. Even if doesn't quite look that way. With a field gun you will need to basically cover the target with the barrel and fire. If you wait a bit to long or are slow picking up the target track it will be dropping -now you need to get the target above the front bead in other words getting below it as it is falling. The most common error new shooters make is stopping the swing of the gun when pulling the trigger- this will make your shot behind( low on a rising or high on a falling) every time. A little bit on shooting stance- do not stand facing into the house rather face straight out into the field or just very slightly into the house ( means you are going to twist a bit from the waist) a hard left and fully facing the house from station one and you will never catch it- reverse for station 5. Do not point the barrel into the house that's to low should be a couple feet above and off center( this can get a bit technical for each station but for starting out it will do) so you can see the target exit, as the thrower is in a fixed location the target exits from a very small arc at center. The absolute point is to have fun safely. Do not be put off by some surly types as with everything some people think they are God's gift to a particular endeavor. They exist in everywhere unfortunately they also reproduce.
