Should I buy this experience?
Who it's for
We've got the perfect range of clay shooting experiences for anyone from absolute beginners, to those who have already notched up a few ‘hits’. We think you'll agree we've got one of the biggest ranges of grounds going amongst all of the activity gift voucher companies currently out there, so isn’t it time to see if you can hit the target?
Who it's not for
Whilst clay shooting isn't suitable for very young children, there are lighter guns for smaller adults and teens, so if you're worried about not being strong enough don't be. However, if you really don't like the idea of firing a gun, then this experience won't be for you!
Clay pigeon shooting FAQs
Is clay pigeon shooting expensive?
Will I be shooting real pigeons?
What are the 'traps'?
How does it work with the targets?
What targets will I be aiming at?
Is it OK if I’ve never fired a gun before?
What sort of guns are used?
Are shoot instructors qualified?
Is clay pigeon shooting hard?
How long does a clay shoot last?
How do you score clay pigeon shooting?
Is this a good activity for groups?
What should I wear for clay pigeon shooting?
What is laser clay clay pigeon shooting?
What age do you have to be for these clay pigeon shooting experiences?
Can I do clay shooting without a licence?
Can I take part if I’m pregnant?
Is there a clay pigeon shooting experience near me?
Is clay pigeon shooting expensive?
Our clay pigeon shooting experiences are great value for money. You can shoot clays for less than £30, so no wonder it’s one of most popular outdoor activities. Of course, if you took up clay shooting as a hobby and bought all the gear it is expensive, but on these taster sessions everything you need is provided for you.
Will I be shooting real pigeons?
No! We're talking clay targets here. You won't even rustle the feathers of any real pigeons, so all our clay pigeon shooting experiences are suitable for vegetarians.
What are the 'traps'?
At larger shooting grounds there will be several different ‘traps’, that’s to say the machines that release the clays, dotted around the site. Each trap is served by a stand, which is where you stand to aim at specific targets.
How does it work with the targets?
You'll be aiming at manmade targets that are catapulted into the air from traps. In some cases the release systems are fully automatic. Whereas at other centres you'll be calling out 'pull' at the top of your voice (great fun!) to alert the shootmaster, who'll then fire off a target into the air at the press of a button.
What targets will I be aiming at?
Clay ones! A clay target can come from down the line, double rise or even helices traps, all of which give very different trajectories. The idea is that they simulate how different animals move, such a grouse, pigeons and rabbits, but in clay form, of course.
Is it OK if I’ve never fired a gun before?
If you've never looked down the barrel of a gun before, it is quite an exhilarating feeling having a go at being a shooter. All of these experiences are suitable for total beginners.
What sort of guns are used?
We're not talking scary illegal firearms here. All the double or single barrel 12 bore guns used at these clubs are specific brands and models for sports purposes only. The most common shotgun used is an over and under type, for trap, skeet or sporting disciplines. Coaches will select the right gun for you, according to your stature and experience, so you won’t be blown back by unnecessary recoil!
Are shoot instructors qualified?
Yes. All clay pigeon instructors are accredited by the sports governing body (the CPSA) and abide by very strict rules on things like pre-shoot briefings and up to date shotgun certificates. The safety of all attending the clay pigeon shooting experience is the priority for every club and shooting ground.
Is clay pigeon shooting hard?
Once you’ve been shown the basics and you have taken onboard the safety aspects, actually releasing the trigger for the first time is the scary bit. Once you’ve done it, you’ll want to keep going!
How long does a clay shoot last?
That depends on how the venue runs their shoots. Some experiences are organised around the number of clays you’ll be shooting at, others give you unlimited clays within a certain time period. In general, a 25-clay shoot takes between 30 and 45 minutes, with a 50-clay sessions lasting up to 1.5 hours.
How do you score clay pigeon shooting?
There are lots of different types of clay shooting (such as Sporting, Skeet and Down the Line) and in competitive shooting the rules on scoring are quite complicated and varied. Just by way of example, in Down the Line shoots, a first barrel hit scores three, a second barrel hit 2 and a miss is a big fat zero. For these taster experiences it’s simply a case of counting how many clays you blast out of the sky.
Is this a good activity for groups?
It’s an excellent choice, yes. You’ll notice on each product page that we sell vouchers for anything from one to 20 shooters, so it’s really easy to organise your group shoot - just buy a voucher for the number of people coming.
What should I wear for clay pigeon shooting?
It’s out in the country, so you’ll need warm clothes, plenty of layers, and sturdy footwear that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy.
What is laser clay clay pigeon shooting?
On laser clay shoots the guns have been disabled and adapted to use laser beams that can detect hits on special reflective clays. It’s a brilliant alternative to traditional clays and we offer laser clay experiences.
What age do you have to be for these clay pigeon shooting experiences?
In general, the minimum age for clay shooting is 10 years old. Most venues will have smaller 20-bore shotguns for youngsters and they’ll need to be accompanied by an adult.
Can I do clay shooting without a licence?
Whilst you need a licence to own a shotgun or buy ammunition, you can use a shotgun under supervision for a clay pigeon experience, as long as the venue has permission from the Police under the Firearms Act, which all our schools do.
Can I take part if I’m pregnant?
If you’re pregnant, the main risk is of gun recoil hurting your stomach. In general, our suppliers operating these experiences would advise against anyone who is or thinks they could be pregnant taking part.
Is there a clay pigeon shooting experience near me?
Yes! We have loads of really good clay shooting grounds on the books, with venues the length and breadth of the country. Some are professional shooting clubs, others are outdoor centres offering multiple activities. All are highly competent and safety is a priority. Current locations include:
- Beds
- Derbys
- Notts
- Cambs
- W.Wales
- S.Wales
- Livingston
- Herts
- E Sussex
- Kent
- Yorks
- Warks
- Cheshire
- Devon
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