Carts for sporting clays

Falconflyer said:
Just another reason why I stopped shooting registered sporting a number of years ago, there's nothing worse than having some guys on quads come roaring up behind you when your trying to concentrate on your shooting!
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From my perspective, there are lots of things worse. Rain, the current winter weather, not being able to shoot because of work,etc. I wish my biggest worry right now was dust or noise while I am shooting.
 
Most of the time I can block out the distraction but other times I let it get to me.
The current cold snap sure throws a damper on things alright, but then it's 28c where I am right now and there isn't any sporting courses......hmmmmm, think I'm ok with that!
 
stubblejumper said:
That isn't how our shoots work, we usually do a shotgun start, and all shooters do 20 or 25 stations in order until everyone has completed the course. Then there is a meal, and any presentations or auctions if the shoot is a fundraiser. The entire shoot wraps up by mid afternoon. Events like the DU shoot are fully booked months in advance , and people are turned away once the capacity is reached, If people kept wandering back and forth every 50 rounds, the shoot would not be completed by evening.
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Interesting, never shot a course with 20-25 stations. Like I stated all shoots had a time limit. Usually start at 9-10 in the am and stations closed at 3-4 pm with all shoots cards being turned in signed shortly there after to be scored.

I always enjoyed the off game shoots at some of these events more than the main event. I shot registered skeet years back, but when I was shooting sporting it was so new I don't recall there being an association to shoot registered targets. Wouldn't have interested me much anyways I prefer to shoot for the enjoyment not for the glory. I found the shooting easy it was the psychological aspect that was difficult.

Flaconflyer mentions not shooting registered as he is disturbed by other shooters making noise. This is all part of the psychological game. If we were is a registered shoot and new this bugged you, guys would purposely cough, laugh and do something to throw you off. We had guys that were bothered by the rhythm of the squad being disturbed. So when we got on station they would drop a round while loading, or stop to blow their nose, adjust an ear plug, any little thing to throw the other fella off so when he got on station he would drop a bird. Me I was my own worst enemy I would get nervous when I was going straight. Or high 2 on skeet was my nemesis target so that would play on my mind when shooting that target. Noise never was an issue with me you could play a brass band behind me I didn't care. When I stepped on station I was in my own world the only person I was aware of was the ref. My mind cost me away more targets than my shooting abilities ever did. I had to keep positive thoughts and that was my big nemesis controlling the psychological positive thought process. If you watch any of the top athletes in many sports, say figure skating for example they all have psychology coaches. Because at that level all the competitors can skate but can they put it all together at that precise time for the judges.
The same with shooting clay targets you reach a point that the muscle memory, sight pictures and technic is all pretty refined for the most part. You have a fine dependable gun that fits you well. Your using good ammunition. But the psychological perspective often gets over looked and it will consistently bite you in the butt.
Anyways my experiences over the years.
 
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mrgoat said:
Interesting, never shot a course with 20-25 stations. Like I stated all shoots had a time limit. Usually start at 9-10 in the am and stations closed at 3-4 pm with all shoots cards being turned in signed shortly there after to be scored.

I always enjoyed the off game shoots at some of these events more than the main event. I shot registered skeet years back, but when I was shooting sporting it was so new I don't recall there being an association to shoot registered targets. Wouldn't have interested me much anyways I prefer to shoot for the enjoyment not for the glory. I found the shooting easy it was the psychological aspect that was difficult.

Flaconflyer mentions not shooting registered as he is disturbed by other shooters making noise. This is all part of the psychological game. If we were is a registered shoot and new this bugged you, guys would purposely cough, laugh and do something to throw you off. We had guys that were bothered by the rhythm of the squad being disturbed. So when we got on station they would drop a round while loading, or stop to blow their nose, adjust an ear plug, any little thing to throw the other fella off so when he got on station he would drop a bird. Me I was my own worst enemy I would get nervous when I was going straight. Or high 2 on skeet was my nemesis target so that would play on my mind when shooting that target. Noise never was an issue with me you could play a brass band behind me I didn't care. When I stepped on station I was in my own world the only person I was aware of was the ref. My mind cost me away more targets than my shooting abilities ever did. I had to keep positive thoughts and that was my big nemesis controlling the psychological positive thought process. If you watch any of the top athletes in many sports, say figure skating for example they all have psychology coaches. Because at that level all the competitors can skate but can they put it all together at that precise time for the judges.
The same with shooting clay targets you reach a point that the muscle memory, sight pictures and technic is all pretty refined for the most part. You have a fine dependable gun that fits you well. Your using good ammunition. But the psychological perspective often gets over looked and it will consistently bite you in the butt.
Anyways my experiences over the years.
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Top shooters tend to shoot with other top shooters for a reason.
 
mrgoat said:
Interesting, never shot a course with 20-25 stations. Like I stated all shoots had a time limit. Usually start at 9-10 in the am and stations closed at 3-4 pm with all shoots cards being turned in signed shortly there after to be scored.

I always enjoyed the off game shoots at some of these events more than the main event. I shot registered skeet years back, but when I was shooting sporting it was so new I don't recall there being an association to shoot registered targets. Wouldn't have interested me much anyways I prefer to shoot for the enjoyment not for the glory. I found the shooting easy it was the psychological aspect that was difficult.

Flaconflyer mentions not shooting registered as he is disturbed by other shooters making noise. This is all part of the psychological game. If we were is a registered shoot and new this bugged you, guys would purposely cough, laugh and do something to throw you off. We had guys that were bothered by the rhythm of the squad being disturbed. So when we got on station they would drop a round while loading, or stop to blow their nose, adjust an ear plug, any little thing to throw the other fella off so when he got on station he would drop a bird. Me I was my own worst enemy I would get nervous when I was going straight. Or high 2 on skeet was my nemesis target so that would play on my mind when shooting that target. Noise never was an issue with me you could play a brass band behind me I didn't care. When I stepped on station I was in my own world the only person I was aware of was the ref. My mind cost me away more targets than my shooting abilities ever did. I had to keep positive thoughts and that was my big nemesis controlling the psychological positive thought process. If you watch any of the top athletes in many sports, say figure skating for example they all have psychology coaches. Because at that level all the competitors can skate but can they put it all together at that precise time for the judges.
The same with shooting clay targets you reach a point that the muscle memory, sight pictures and technic is all pretty refined for the most part. You have a fine dependable gun that fits you well. Your using good ammunition. But the psychological perspective often gets over looked and it will consistently bite you in the butt.
Anyways my experiences over the years.
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Messing around with friends is one thing but racing up to a squad you don't know that is shooting registered targets raising dust, making noise with your quad and high on Red Bull while talking excitedly in high voices is another thing, it's bad sportsmanship!
A lot of other things made me quit registered shoots such as cheating and politics too!
 
Falconflyer said:
Messing around with friends is one thing but racing up to a squad you don't know that is shooting registered targets raising dust, making noise with your quad and high on Red Bull while talking excitedly in high voices is another thing, it's bad sportsmanship!
A lot of other things made me quit registered shoots such as cheating and politics too!
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I have little experience with that type of rude behaviour, which I agree is bad sportsmanship and completely uncalled for. Doesn't surprise me though to hear it is taking place as the younger folks seem to have little regards or respect for others not even themselves. Politics seems to enter into all activities unfortunately.
 
Eh, the cart post is done, thanks :)

I won't shoot competitive. I shoot to relax, and competition negates that.

I'm alway within the top 5 for rounds purchased for the year. I need a lot of relaxation.....
 
Mark-II said:
Eh, the cart post is done, thanks :)

I won't shoot competitive. I shoot to relax, and competition negates that.

I'm alway within the top 5 for rounds purchased for the year. I need a lot of relaxation.....
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With the current weather you are probably eager to get shooting.
 
My cart is a 3 wheel like a sport stroller. 2 guns and a flat of shells and tools & chokes are easy. Makes the walk around the range easy. There are a few that have golf carts as well as the mantance staff, never any problem.
 
Well since the OP has declared this question satisfied more or less. I would like to ask how many birds are now shot in a round of clays, is it still 50.?? Also how many clays are shot in a daily competition now. We always shot 100 per days shoot in competition. Since you fellas are carrying at least 100+ to 200+ rds on your carts plus breakfast, lunch and super, water and a change of cloths ;) I am just curious as to how things operate these days. Why does one need two guns.?
 
Yeah, seems to be fair game now.

Tournaments around here are generally 200 targets per day ( 100 in the morning, then lunch and another 100) but it can be less for various reasons such as cold weather during winter shoots.
Informal non-tournament shoots are usually 100 targets around here.
I don't know what the two gun thing is about unless guys are carrying two guns with fixed chokes. In my case we usually have two guns in the cart, mine and my wife's or a friend's gun if she isn't with me. That way we need a minimum of 200 rounds of shells for a typical shoot. I've watched guys walk up to the gun rack and smack his gun into a couple of others without hardly noticing he's done it enough times to keep my gun in the cart out of harms way. Guns that I've purchased new usually don't have any bruises on them and I like to keep them that way.
 
Thanks for the updating. Yes things have certainly changed. Makes me wonder why though. Seems it is more of a shooting marathon now. A previous post mentioned 20-25 stations. To configure that many stations safely so your not dropping shot on someone must mean these clubs have a large piece of real estate. My Original club had 50 acres and it took some design planning to have two skeet fields, one trap field and 10 sporting stations that could be changed every couple weeks so that it was all operated in safety.
I gather pairs, following pairs, report doubles, are still in play as well and the various size targets Mini, bateau, rabbit etc.
Wouldn't mind giving it go again sometime, I would imagine I would have to travel at least to the Winnipeg area to find a sporting course.
 
mrgoat said:
Well since the OP has declared this question satisfied more or less. I would like to ask how many birds are now shot in a round of clays, is it still 50.?? Also how many clays are shot in a daily competition now. We always shot 100 per days shoot in competition. Since you fellas are carrying at least 100+ to 200+ rds on your carts plus breakfast, lunch and super, water and a change of cloths ;) I am just curious as to how things operate these days. Why does one need two guns.?
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0ur non registered shoots usually vary from 150 to 200 targets shot at one outing, so one shooter needs to carry 150-200 rounds, and two shooters sharing a cart need to carry 300-400 shotshells, two guns, plus water, etc. Our local field is built on 160 acres has around 30 station locations, and most shoots use 20 or 25 stations, using towers, an extension over a ravine where you shoot at targets below you, throwers mounted on a man lift, and one station where you shoot out of the box of a two ton truck. There is also a skeet field, and a trap bunker on site.
 
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stubblejumper said:
0ur non registered shoots usually vary from 150 to 200 targets shot at one outing, so one shooter needs to carry 150-200 rounds, and two shooters sharing a cart need to carry 300-400 shotshells, two guns, plus water, etc. Our local field is built on 160 acres has around 30 station locations, and most shoots use 20 or 25 stations, using towers, an extension over a ravine where you shoot at targets below you, throwers mounted on a man lift, and one station where you shoot out of the box of a two ton truck. There is also a skeet field, and a trap bunker on site.
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Thank you for the info. Yes I can certainly see why some sort of cart in required to carry that many rounds. The various station set ups sound like fun. Rochester Brooks used to have some stations like that as they had 500 acres to play with.
 
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