Anyone interested in getting the most out of the sporting clays experience should solemnly pledge the equivalent of whatever he or she spends on a new gun toward quality shooting instruction.
Perhaps the best influence sporting clays has exerted on shotgunning is the development of world-class men and women to teach the sport. The venerable companies of Orvis and Griffin and Howe have offered wingshooting instruction for decades, but the proliferation of private instructors and schools in this country over the last five years has been astounding.
Even the ammunition companies have gotten into the act, with both Remington and Federal hosting highly regarded, and extremely busy, shooting schools. Credit much of America╒s newfound international success at sporting clays to the importation of top-grade shooting teachers from the game╒s cradle, Great Britain, men like Roger Silcox, John Higgins, Jack Mitchell, and Peter Crabtree.
Your Best Shot at Sporting Destinations
So where do we go to get in on the fun? The nation╒s newest, and perhaps most exclusive, sporting clays experience is Seven Lakes Lodge, tucked away in northwestern Colorado near the town of Meeker. The course is carved out of a mountainside, with many of the shooting stations affording a hawk╒s eye view of the White River valley. Most stands have traps close by, but many can also be served by a mountain-top mining tower bristling with automatic traps. World-class sporting targets are only part of the Seven Lakes package, which includes terrific fly fishing as well as food and lodging to suit the most discriminating traveler (800-809-4772).
Maryland╒s Eastern Shore is fabled for its waterfowling tradition, but sporting clays has made its own niche at veteran clubs like Hopkins Game Farm near Kennedyville (410-348-5287) and J & P Hunting Lodge near Sudlersville (410-438-3832).
Look for top-flight instruction at The Orvis Company╒s Sandanona shooting grounds (914-677-9701) near Milbrook, New York, or farther north at Tony Haigh╒s Skinny Cat Farm at Ipswich, New Hampshire (603-878-1257). And there╒s nothing Mickey Mouse about the fully automated sporting clays course at Orlando╒s Blackjack Club, where many of the game╒s top touring pros make regular teaching stops (407-240-9444).
All sporting roads through the state of Ohio go through the village of Sugar Grove, an hour south of Columbus, where Ron and Sharon Blosser╒s Hidden Haven club offers a complete sporting clays menu. ╥It╒s like coming to Disney World after you╒ve been hanging out at county fairs,╙ said one surfeited competitor after a recent tournament.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, preeminent gun fitter Michael Murphy holds court on his own shooting grounds near Augusta, Kansas (316-775-2137), while Jon Kruger, pioneer sporting competitor and still one of the world╒s great shots, comes home to roost at Kruger╒s Clay World, near St. Ansgar, Iowa (515-736-4893).
Finally, the high desert close to Meridian, Idaho, is the site for Buz Fawcett╒s Wingshooting Workshop, arguably one of the most unique and effective schools in the country, and one of the few to feature the side-by-side shotgun in its instruction (208-888-3415).
The best directory for shooting instructors, schools, and sporting clays clubs is an indispensable annual called Black╒s Wing & Clay Shotgunner╒s Handbook (908-224-8700). Included is a calendar of major shooting events, a comprehensive reference guide for wingshooting equipment and services, a nationwide listing of outfitters and hunting preserves, as well as a state-by-state rundown of places to shoot clay target games.
Tagging Targets on Tape
The next best experience to popping a pile of caps on the range or physically taking a shooting lesson is to learn more about the game of sporting clays on tape.
Four of the more useful videos on the market can be ordered from Sunrise Productions (800-862-6399).
Optimum Shotgun Performance in Sporting Clays and Chokes and Loads for Sporting Clays feature Gil Ash and Jerry Meyer, two of the country╒s top traveling instructors. Their down-to-earth, engaging presentation takes the viewer from the fundamentals of stance and vision out to the most precise selection of chokes and loads for each target problem.
The third selection is Marty Fischer╒s excellent Developing Your Own Style of Shooting . Marty is a top-level shooter and course designer himself, but more important, has earned the highest level of instructor certification in the National Sporting Clays Association. This video demonstrates how to build a successful approach to breaking sporting clays targets from the individual╒s own visual acuity and reflexive skills.
Finally, one of America╒s most brilliant clay target competitors shares some of his secrets for tackling the staple array of sporting shots in Andy Duffy╒s Approach to Winning BIG in Sporting Clays. When he╒s not raking in trophies and prize money, Andy earns his crust as a touring instructor, logging thousands of hours with students each year. His suggestions for developing a winning mental approach to shooting help explain Duffy╒s eight national shooting titles in recent years.
Copyright (c) 1997 Randy Lawrence. All rights reserved.
Home | Library | Hunting | Shooting Sports