The Beginner’s Guide to Clay Pigeon Shooting in the UK

CONTENTS

• THE BASICS OF CLAY SHOOTING
• DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPERIENCE FOR FIRST-TIMERS
• THE CPS LIFESTYLE
• THE BEST PLACES FOR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING IN THE UK

THE BASICS OF CLAY SHOOTING

 

What is it?

Clay pigeon shooting is a classic example of a British countryside pursuit. It relies on the quiet, open spaces of rural landscapes, emphasises tradition while not shying away from innovation and provides the perfect balance to a day's hard work - whether on the land or in an office. But more than anything, it’s all about the satisfaction of doing something properly in good company.

Now, the details. It’s a shooting sport that employs shotguns for the shooting and clay pigeons for the targets. These are disks of clay, about the size of an average saucer, which are launched into the air by a machine called a trap, making clay pigeon shooting one of the only sports that involves a moving target. Apart from the gun (cartridges included), targets and traps, the main pieces of equipment are those used for safety: glasses to protect the eyes from flying shards of clay, a peaked cap for added coverage, and ear protectors to help the ear drums deal with the blast of the gun.

From this simple premise comes a huge variety of shooting styles. Some of the main disciplines found at UK shooting grounds are:

• Trap: A simple shooting experience, in trap shooting, the targets are launched from a trap in front of the shooter(s) and move away from them. There are several different kinds of trap shooting including ball trap and down-the-line (DTL).

• Skeet: One of the most popular disciplines in the UK for recreational and competitive shooting, skeet shooting involves participants shooting from eight different positions, known as pegs, at clays which emerge from the left and the right and move across the range. The participants change positions at regular intervals, shooting from each of the pegs in turn. Occasionally traps on both the right and left launch clays simultaneously, so this is a real opportunity to hit two birds with one stone!

• Sporting: Clay pigeon shooting evolved as a way to simulate live game shooting. Sporting clays imitate the movement of game animals - pheasant, rabbits, pigeons (of course), among many others. It’s a very popular activity on the clay pigeon shooting scene in the UK and shooting grounds put a lot of effort and creativity into creating interesting sporting clay experiences.

• Simulated Game: One step further towards recreating the experience of hunting is simulated game. This kind of shooting does away with the formalities of shooting positions and well kept ranges, taking place in open landscape. Traps are often hidden in the undergrowth and let off their clays in such a way as to imitate an animal or bird breaking cover - that is, unexpectedly!

How do you shoot successfully?

Most of us don’t have a great deal of experience with firearms, and the idea of shooting a flying object out of the air can be somewhat intimidating. However, with the help of a qualified instructor, you’ll discover that there are a few key factors behind shooting straight and true. First of all, how you hold the gun. Secondly, your posture. And finally, how you track the movement of the target through the air. If you’re itching to find out more before signing up for a session, check out our article titled Tips for Clay Pigeon Shooting.

Aside from shooting technique, the following points are crucial to the success of your clay shoot. Clay pigeon shooting is an outdoor activity, so dress for the weather. More than other target sports - archery, for example - this is a social experience, so pick some companions to share the excitement. Finally, remember that the point is to have a good time! If at first you miss your targets, don’t worry! Enjoy the process and you’ll be smashing clays in no time.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPERIENCE FOR FIRST-TIMERS 

If you’ve never been to a shooting ground, you might have a preconceived idea about clay shooting and the types of people involved in it. Your first visit will dispel that notion. Clay pigeon shooting is a very welcoming sport which attracts a diverse range of people. On top of that, there are a number of ways to get involved in the sport.

Taster or have-a-go sessions

The simplest way to turn an interest in clay pigeon shooting into a hands-on experience is to look out for shooting grounds that offer taster or have-a-go sessions. Designed specifically for people like you, who’ve never participated in the sport or even held a gun before, these experiences start from square one. A certified clay shooting instructor will begin by assessing each participant, identifying their dominant eye and hand, and determining the correct size of shotgun. Children and adolescents are usually given a smaller gun, measured by the bore, to minimise the impact of the gun’s recoil.

Then you can get to the shooting! Basic shooting layouts will be used, usually a form of trap shooting, with the clays passing at close range. You can choose the number of shots you take in the session. Shooting schools usually offer packages of between 10 to 75 clays and an equivalent amount of cartridges, meaning you might spend anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours on the range. A taster session can be arranged for an individual or a small group. In either case, the instructor will be on hand to support each participant at every shot.

Clay pigeon parties

There are certain occasions that call for something different, memorable and exciting - stag and hen parties, landmark birthdays and corporate team building away-days, to name a few. Clay pigeon shooting is becoming an increasingly popular option for the organisers of these events, and shooting grounds around the country happily meet the demand. They can put on simple group taster shoots or more lavish events that include food and drink and sometimes combination activities. A large number of regulars at the peg nowadays had their first clay pigeon shooting experience as part of an organised party and decided to take it up off their own bat.

THE CPS LIFESTYLE

We’ve mentioned that clay pigeon shooting in the UK boasts a large, active and diverse community of participants. Each of them will have their own reason for enjoying shooting, but many will say that that the calm and focus that comes from shooting, the inventiveness and variety of different shooting styles, and the opportunity to spend time in the great outdoors, far from the noise and pollution of the city are the real draws.

Joining this community after having an introductory experience is very easy. You’ll want to find a suitable shooting school in the local area and look into the lessons they offer. Tuition on a one-to-one or one-to-two basis is common and after a few sessions you’ll start to really get your eye in and feel ready to experiment with longer ranges and different disciplines.

Most shooting grounds put on regular shooting events that you can sign up to. This is the perfect way to enjoy shooting in different styles and alongside a wide range of different people. After that, you might be interested in travelling to different venues around the country to see how they construct their shoot layouts and organise their events. You never know, you might even end up competing at national or international level!

THE BEST PLACES FOR CLAY PIGEON SHOOTING IN THE UK

There are around 600 clay pigeon shooting clubs and grounds in the UK and, though we’d love to mention all of them, that’s too many to list. But a good place to start with is Surrey. Not only is it a primarily rural county within easy reach of London, it’s also home to the National Clay Shooting Centre. This organisation boasts the largest shooting complex in the country, located in the village of Bisley, just outside Woking. As well as lessons and pay-and-play shooting, competitions are held here, including the Commonwealth Games. To learn more about shooting on the most prestigious ground in the country, click here.

Somerset is another fantastic location for clay pigeon shooting. There are just shy of a dozen shooting grounds in the county and a full range of experiences on offer. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, an individual or a best man/maid of honour, you’ll find what you’re looking for here. The related sport of air rifle shooting is also an option in Somerset. You can browse all the options here.

At the opposite end of the UK, Stirling, Scotland, is among the best places in the UK for simulated game shooting. The wild landscape of the highlands lends itself to this bracing adventure, which sees groups led off away from the order of the range to shoot clays in open moorland and on sloping hillsides. If you like the sound of that, follow this link to find out more.

Luckily, it’s not necessary to travel to remote areas to enjoy clay pigeon shooting. The metropolitan county of Greater Manchester is well served by shooting grounds near the town of Eccles and Bolton and in the east of the county on the borders of the Peak District National Park. Choose clay pigeon shooting as your next countryside escape by clicking here.

In terms of diversity and accessibility in clay pigeon shooting, Essex is ahead of the curve. There's a shooting school here that puts on special shooting mornings for women, and, perhaps as a result, the mixed events are pretty balanced in terms of gender. Whoever you are, and whatever your background, we encourage you to get involved here.




Clay pigeon shooting is surprising in so many ways and satisfying in so many others. If, or rather when, you’re ready to give it a go, take a look at our clay pigeon shooting in the UK pages and find the right experience for you.