A typical day of sporting clays is not unlike playing a round of golf with a shotgun. However, instead of 18 holes you walk a course with 5 stations stopping at each one to shoot. After two hours (a typical length of time for a round) you will have shot many of the different types of shots that you would find while bird or small game hunting.

Unlike trap and skeet, which are games of repeatable target presentations, sporting clays targets are thrown in a great variety of trajectories, angles, speeds, elevations and distances. Clay targets are shot at multiple locations (called stations). The original idea behind sporting clays was to create an experience that more closely reflects actual hunting conditions.

Although the sport is challenging, it is quite popular with novice shooters and ordinary hunters. While many shooters opt for double-barreled shotguns, the game is equally enjoyable with a pump-action shotgun or semiautomatic shotgun.

The VGC course usually consists of 5 stations, each station having its own clay-throwing machine, called traps. 5 pairs of clays are shot at each station; with the total shots for an outing adding up to 50 (two boxes of shells). Depending on the instructions at the station, the clays may be thrown as simultaneous pairs (called true pairs) or one after the other (called following pairs). Shooters who wish can request that difficult stations be thrown as following pairs if the skill level dictates it.

Targets are thrown at different angles and speeds; sometimes across the shooter's view (crossers), towards the shooter (in-comers), away from the shooter (out-goers), or straight up in the air (often called teals or floaters). The shots are intended to simulate hunting for quail, grouse, pheasant, pigeon, or other game. Targets may range from a fast roll and bounce along the ground like a rabbit, thrown short at 1/4 speed to simulate a wounded bird or fast and rising like a high-flying duck or goose.

The configuration of the sporting clays course (trap location, clay trajectory, and speed of the clay) is changed weekly, allowing various levels of difficulty and a multitude of layouts. You never know what you will get, so it's always a fun challenge!

Sporting Clays are only shot on Sundays between 10:30am and 2:00pm. Please check the schedule or email bsolberg@vancouvergunclub.com for more information.