What is trap shooting? Trap shooting is a type of shotgun shooting sport where participants use shotguns to shoot clay targets that are launched into the air from a single machine. The targets, also known as clay pigeons, are launched in various directions, at different angles, and rotate in a random sequence that challenges the shooter’s accuracy and reaction time. The objective of the sport is to hit as many targets as possible, but only allows the shooter one shot per target.
The History of the Sport
Known as one of the oldest shotgun shooting sports in America, trap shooting dates all the way back to the 18th century in England. In the late 1700’s, trap shooting was first introduced as a sport, only the shooter’s target was a live pigeon rather than our now modern day clay pigeons.
Most of our modern day trap shooting concepts are derived from this live pigeon shooting. Common phrases and terms that you hear in today’s trap shoots such as “pull”, “trap”, “no bird”, “clay pigeon” and more originated from the sport when it consisted of using live pigeons as their flying targets.
Today, the term “clay pigeons” is known as a remnant of our trap shooting history. The shooters were once able to shoot at live pigeons that were released from cages called “traps” and flew by their own means, allowing for an often difficult target. As this sport evolved, it included a row of boxes that could be tipped by the pull of a wire at the shooter’s command. Not knowing which box the pigeon would come from, the shooter’s goal was to drop the bird within a fenced area.
However, as this sport gained more popularity, the use of live pigeons as targets did not. Live pigeon shooting began its downfall when it was banned in Britain by the Captive Birds Act of 1921, prohibiting the use of captive birds in all shooting carried on under artificial conditions.
While live pigeon shooting remains legal in the United States, the sports popularity has decreased considerably. Live pigeon shooting is specifically prohibited in 14 states, and has been determined to violate animal cruelty laws in nine others. It’s because of this that clay pigeon shooting, or trap shooting, was derived and gained significant popularity in the world of shotgun shooting sports. Today, trap shooting is the oldest and most popular shotgun shooting sport in America.
Trap Shooting at Black Wing Shooting Center
Black Wing’s trap shooting fields are a great place for beginners to start their trap shooting journey. During a round of trap, shooters line up in a row along five stations facing the trap house. A full round includes 25 clay targets and five shots from each station. Once you call “pull”, a clay target is launched from the trap house at varying angles. All shooters will take their turn trying to break the clay target until a total of five shots are taken at each of the five stations.
Pricing
Trap shooting pricing at Black Wing varies depending on your membership status or if you’ll need any rental items. Pricing for members starts at $5.50 per 25 targets, and $10.00 per 25 targets for non members. Rental items like shotguns, shell pouches, and eye and ear protection are also available per the customers request.
Start your Trap Shooting Journey at Black Wing!
Gather your family and friends to spend the day trap shooting at Black Wing! For more information on trap shooting or other outdoor shotgun sports, visit the Black Wing website.
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