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Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the newest club offered through MTHS.  Please note, some information shared on this page has been directly cited from http://ilclaytarget.com/.  

What is Clay Target Shooting or Trap Shooting?

  • Trap shooting, which traces its roots back to the 1800s, was originally devised as a practice for bird hunting. Artificial clay birds were introduced around 1830 and used in the first recorded trap shooting match in Cincinnati, Ohio. While the sport is indeed a useful practice tool for bird hunters, it is now widely seen as a competitive sport.  The goal of trap shooting is to hit clay targets that are traveling away from the shooter. These targets are shot in the air at varying angles using an oscillating machine from a fixed location known as the "house".  In this discipline, the shooters know the target's point of origin but don't know the target's angle. Not knowing the target's angle creates an intense challenge for even the most experienced shooters. Trap shooters shoot five shots from five different points on a semi-circular field. Therefore, shooters fire a total of 25 shots per round, with a total of two rounds equalling 50 total shots (2 boxes of shells/night). 

What is Skeet Shooting?

  • A practice or competition event will consist of shooting two 25-target rounds for a total of 50 targets from eight different stations on a skeet field. Up to 5 shooters (squad) will occupy the stations on a skeet field. Station one is assigned the “squad leader.  The shooter shoots from seven positions on a semicircle with a radius of 21 yards, and an eighth position halfway between stations one and seven. There are two houses that hold target throwers that launch the targets, one at each corner of the semicircle. The traps launch the targets to a point 15 feet above ground and 18 feet outside of station eight. One trap launches targets from 10 feet above the ground (“high” house) and the other launches it from three feet above ground (“low” house).  Shooting procedures for skeet are very similar to trap shooting except for station assignments, number of targets shot, and station rotation. All squad members take turns at the same station and then move together after all squad members have shot the assigned targets at each station. Squad members need to stand at least at least five feet behind the shooter and always behind the shooter’s muzzle.  At stations one and two the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double where the two targets are launched simultaneously but shooting the high house target first. At stations three, four, and five the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house. At stations six and seven, the shooter shoots at single targets launched from the high house and then the low house, then shoots a double, shooting the low house target first then the high house target. At station eight the shooter shoots one high target and one low target. No shooter will move to the next station until the last target in a round is completed.  Optional Shot:  The shooter must re-shoot his/her first missed target from the same station and at the same house immediately following a lost target. If no targets are missed in the round, the shooter must shoot his/her 25th shell at the low house station eight. 

What is Sporting Clays?

  • A practice or competition event will consist of shooting a total of 50 targets from six to 12 different stations on a sporting clays field. Each station round will consist of six to 10 targets per station.  A sporting clays course can be laid out in a number of ways but requires a vast landscape and a variety of presentations. The configuration of sporting clay courses vary greatly between shooting ranges. Similar to hunting live birds, sporting clays is intended to challenge each athlete with clay targets being thrown at multiple angles from multiple locations. Typically, four to six student-athletes compete at each station together rotating through all shot scenarios before moving on to the next station. Different fields within a course are typically located many yards away from one another and are accessible via walking along meandering paths.  Shooting procedures for sporting clays are very similar to skeet shooting. All squad members take turns at the same station and then move together after all squad members have shot the assigned targets at each station. Squad members need to stand at least at least five feet behind the shooter and always behind the shooter’s muzzle.  Each station has a set of instructions notifying each athlete where the targets are coming from and how many will be thrown at a time. Sporting clays targets may be thrown left to right, right to left, away, incoming, vertically, from a tower or elevated platform and in a rabbit (along the ground) presentation. Sporting clays targets can be thrown individually or as a true or report pair. A true pair is defined as two targets being thrown at the same time from multiple throwers at a single station. Report pairs are defined as two targets being thrown in sequence with the second target being thrown as soon as the athlete completes the shot of the first target. No shooter will move to the next station until the last target in a round is completed.

What is 5 Stand?

  • A practice or competition event will consist of shooting two 25 target rounds for a total of 50 targets. Athletes compete in turn taking five shots at clay targets from five separate stations (stands).  A 5-stand field’s target throwers are strategically placed throughout a large field. Each of the five stations that are aligned in a row are partially enclosed by a cage that limits the angles of shooting at targets. Each athlete can view the targets from all stations from the station they are shooting from. Once all athletes have completed a station they move in a clockwise rotation to the next station.  Five shots are taken at each of the five stations. After the first five shots are completed by the entire squad, each shooter will move to a new station by:

  1. Verifying the gun is unloaded.

  2. With the chamber open and the shotgun pointed in a safe direction, rotate in a clockwise manner to the next station.

  3. Station one will move to station two, two to three, three to four, four to five, and five to one.

  4. Station five will rotate to their right moving away from the station four shooter who is moving to station five and continue to walk behind the other shooters to station one.

  5. Await the “START” command from the scorekeeper.

  6. The squad leader is the first to shoot in each round.

  7. Repeat process until all shooters have each shot 25 targets.

  • Each station has a menu card notifying the athlete where each target is being thrown. Targets are thrown from a pre-determined sequence with a variety of flight angles and consistent speed settings. Targets may be thrown from left to right, right to left, fading away, incoming, rabbit (along the ground), vertically, and from a tower or elevated platform. Generally, the first target thrown from each station is a single target followed up with either a report pair or true pair to round out that station. A report pair is defined as a single target thrown followed by another single target thrown upon the completion of the athletes first shot. A true pair is defined as two individual targets being thrown at the same time by multiple throwers. No shooter will move to the next station until the last target in a round is completed.

Where will the Clay target league practice and league events be held?

  • Shooting disciplines may be subject to change based on student numbers and coach/facility availability.

    • Trap, Skeet, & 5 Stand:  Peoria Skeet & Trap is located in Spring Bay, IL

    • Sporting Clays:  Mackinaw

 

Are there any requirements in order to join & and remain on the team?

  • CERTIFICATION:  our clay target shooting league requires students to pass 1 of 2 safety training course options. Students must have a valid hunter safety class certification number or pass the league’s safety certification course which is $25 and paid by the student.  This online safety training can take up to 5+ hours to finish.  In addition, safety is our top priority, so procedures have been established and will be practiced/reinforced with students on a consistent basis.  

  • MAINTAIN SAFETY:  with a sport that involves firearms, safety is our #1 priority, so when an infraction occurs, shooting will immediately cease, the individual may be asked to clear their firearm, then case their gun and head home for the day.  At that point, the RSO (range safety officer) and the head coach will have a conversation in which the head coach will notify the parent of the infraction, depending on he infraction the student may be able to rejoin the team.  If a second infraction occurs, that student will be asked to permanently leave the team.  

  • RESPECTFUL ATTITUDE:  our team represents MTHS, Peoria Skeet & Trap, and each member of the coaching staff.  Students are expected to be respectful at all times to all coaches, volunteers, competitors, parents, club personnel, and their peers.  

 

Is there a deadline to register?

 

How many students will be selected?

  • Coach to athlete ratio needs to be maintained, please sign up right away so we can plan and have time to react to overwhelming athlete numbers. IF athlete numbers are manageable we will not “cut” anyone. At the close of the season, the coaching staff will discuss with the administration, the gun club, and each other whether or not to maintain that number or increase it.

 

Will my child or I need to fill out any forms?

  • Yes, students will fill out a required medical form on the league site, and may also be asked to sign Peoria Skeet & Trap policy/liability waivers, and team policy/expectations agreement.

 

Are there any expected costs?​

  • Approximately $300-$400 per shooter for the Spring Season.

    • $25 for online safety training (if your student doesn’t have a valid hunter safety certificate)

    • $35 League Insurance/Registration fee

    • ​Estimated $200 Ammunition

    • Estimate $80 Clay Targets​​​​

    • Uniform/team shirt (not mandatory) cost to be determined.

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Fundraising​

  • Fundraising:   Clay target shooting can be an expensive sport and pastime.  The coaching staff realizes this and has established a way for parents and students to enjoy a reduced cost in their participation.  We typically try to do two major fundraising campaigns.  One in the spring, and the other in the fall.  The ticket sales from these fundraisers help to offset the rising costs of shotgun shells and clay targets for our shooters.

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Volunteering​

  • We have been blessed to call Peoria Skeet & Trap home for our practices and league-registered shoots.  In return, we have agreed to volunteer at a couple of their registered shoots.  MTHS members or their parents must volunteer 2 hours at PST during each season.  Sign-ups may include volunteering at sponsor events, PTS league shoots (MTHS members help sell food/raffle tickets, score shoots, and anything else that might be needed by PST), or score weekly student competitions.  It is our way of saying thanks to those who choose to donate and grow our program.

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What equipment is required (students must furnish)?

  • Hearing protection 

  • Eye Protection

  • Shotgun - 12 or 20 gauge in good working order, Inspection required

  • Transportation of the shotgun to the Peoria Trap and Skeet on League nights

    • NO Firearm or ammunition is allowed on school property including parking lots.

 

What equipment is “suggested”?

  • Range bag used to store all of the student's gear

  • Shell bag used to hold their box of 25 shells while on the line.

 

What is the transportation process of getting my student’s firearms, ammunition, and other supplies to them for practice?

  • Firearms must be cased separately from any ammunition.  Typically shooters will have a range bag with the ammunition, shell bag, hearing/eye protection, and anything else they may need.  Under Illinois state law, anyone transporting a firearm MUST have a valid FOID card.  In addition, and this is VERY VERY VERY important.  At no time and under no circumstance is a firearm or ammunition allowed on school property.  Doing so would be ILLEGAL under state and federal laws, and subject to criminal charges.  We don’t want anyone to be arrested for forgetting to take these items out of the vehicle after practice so ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK!!!!  It is your responsibility! 

 

What are the practice days?

  • Shooting disciplines, days, and times may be subject to change based on student numbers and coach/facility availability.

    • Trap, Skeet, & 5 Stand:  Peoria Skeet & Trap is located in Spring Bay, IL

    • Sporting Clays:  Mackinaw

  • League shooting days will be scheduled ahead of time.

 

What does the shooting schedule look like?

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As a parent, how can I help?

  • If your child is selected to be part of the MTHS clay target team, we are looking for qualified individuals

    • Coaches - Must have experience

    • Volunteers - no experience is needed

      • Scorekeepers

      • Team administration

    • ​Encourage your child to practice

      • Peoria Skeet & Trap provides active leagues and open range time almost year-round

        • Specific Youth Summer League

        • Youth employment…

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