Trap Shooting Equipment & Supplies
The equipment and supplies needed for trap shooting are fairly simple; however, there are ways that you can prepare yourself even further. Find information about trap specific guns, trap shooting machines and the different type of traps used in this section.
Trap Shooting Apparel
Apparel for trap shooting is also similar to that worn during hunting. Obviously you won't be needing any camouflage, however eye and ear protection are recommended along with a belt to hold your discarded shells in.
Trap Shooting Vest
Vests for trap shooting are not much different than other shooting vests. Many of them include extra pockets for shells, and accessory pockets. They often also come with shoulder pads so that you may better support your gun when aiming.
Trap Shooting Shot Size
American trap is shot with lead target ammunition, with a shot size between 7 1/2 and 9. The maximum ammunition allowed for trap shooting is 1-1/8 ounces and maximum velocities vary with shot mass. The maximum loads are usually only needed for a long handicap or the second doubles shot.
Hearing Protection for Shooting
It is very important to wear proper hearing protection when shooting trap, especially when just starting out. A great deal of hearing loss can be prevented with just a few dollars worth of ear protection, and many ear protectors can be found at your local gun retailer.
Shooting Sporting Clays
Sporting clays is rather similar to trap shooting, however in a game of sporting clays the targets are meant to simulate the natural movement of birds. Sometimes sporting clay targets are even used to simulate the movement of a rabbit. Each station of a sporting clays game is designed to simulate the movement of a different type of game.
Trap Machines
The trap machine sits 16 feet in front of the team of shooters, and will shoot traps at all angles. Modern trap machines are highly sophisticated, and rather expensive. They are made to throw one target for singles and handicap, and then throw two for doubles. They also need to throw at a number of angles.
Trap Thrower
Most trap throwers are highly powerful and can become very expensive. They can be set to shoot for different lengths at different intervals, however, the farthest that they usually shoot is about 50 feet. Trap throwers can also be set to release two targets at once, such as in doubles shooting.
Trap Field
A trap field is set up with the five shooters standing 16 feet behind the trap house, which will shoot discs for a range of about 50 feet. The traps are shot at an angle of fourty four degrees. There is also room behind the shooters to stand at a handicap.
Trap Houses
A trap house is typically built around the trap gun which shoots the discs. A proper trap house looks somewhat like a small shed. They are relatively simple to make and are available at a number of different hunting supply stores.
Clay Traps
Clay traps are the discs that are shot out from the machine, and come in a number of different shapes and sizes. Most often they are about 4 1/2 inches in diameter and look somewhat like the discs featured in Duck Hunt.
Sporting Clays
The game of sporting clays originated in England and traps are shot in order to simulate the movement of a variety of game, such as pigeons, rabbits and grouse. A sporting clays course consists of about five to ten stations, where the movement of a different game bird is used for each.
Trap Pigeons
Trap pigeons are slightly larger than traps because they are meant to simulate a pigeon in flight, however they are not pigeon shaped. Trap pigeons are available in a number of different colors and weights, all to help improve your shot.
Bird Trap
Clay pigeon shooting, or Inanimate Bird Shooting got its name from when competitions were often held using live birds. Now such competitions are deemed illegal, however a target is still called a 'bird,' a hit is referred to as a 'kill,' and a missed target is a 'bird away.'
Trap Shooting Games
Trap shooting has since become a popular format for on-line and console games--most noteably the Nintendo game, 'Duck Hunt.' Some of these games are made by experienced trap shooters and are meant to simulate the real movement of a target, while others are just for fun.
Trap Shooting Clubs
Perhaps the best known organization for trap shooters is the Amatuer Trapshooting Association. This group writes and revises all rules of American Trap Shooting. Chances are your local range has a club associated with the ATA that meets regularly.