Sporting Clays - how to get involved?

[The Baron]

I'm enjoying a strong resurgence of my interest in shotgunning, with a preference for Sporting Clays (and 5 stand). I stumbled across mention of the 2017 Canadian Open Sporting Clays Championship, held in Oshawa. Which got me wondering - how do I get involved in these kinds of events? Should I be joining the NSCA or CNSCA to tap into a schedule of events that I can attend? I'm looking to jump right in and, dare I say it, am finding clay busting just as much fun as hunting (no 4:00am alarms, guaranteed shooting and nothing to clean - what's not to like? ).

PM's are welcome, if anyone wants to help a new guy get involved in SC competition.

 

[Rob!]

Our club (Silver Willow in Alberta) hosts NSCA, CNSCA and non registered shoots - all of which I would suggest have value. NSCA in particular, offers a Complimentary Limited Membership if you sign up at a shoot. Agree completely that it's more fun than hunting. (That makes two of us at least).

 

[BAC4]

Baron Check Winscore online. They list most tournaments. If you feel like making the trk to Oshawa someday pm me. We have sporting clays, 5 stand, skeet and trap. Open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday for the clay games.

 

[Sapper33]

Both organizations have Hunter Class categories for people that are not members (or who just want to avoid the politics). As well, both the CNSCA, and NSCA regularly update their websites with shoots.

Winscore is a good resource, bu doesn't always catch everything, so it's best to check the organization websites, as well as the various club websites for your area (admittedly Oshawa is better at updating that Galt or Uxbridge...).

I would strongly recommend going into New York to shoot; they do seem to have a good number of shoots listed on Winscore, and there are lots of clubs. Google "clay targets online", pretty good site for finding clubs; you'll see lots close to you.

 

[The Baron]

Thanks, guys! The Winscore tip helped a lot, and I'm just now checking out Clay Targets Online.

I'll be taking the plunge and shooting the Porchetta 100 at Oshawa on Oct. 8th. I'll submit my complimentary first-year NSCA application there, so shooting as E class if I understand it. Might as well just do it and stop threatening.

Sapper33.... yeah, for sure I'll be watching NY as there should be several clubs there just as close as Oshawa (about 2.5 hours' drive). I've been a few places over the border already. Mid-Hudson is outstanding, as was Dover Furnace (became Beretta Shooting Grounds at DF... land now sold for development...). We've also shot Sandanona (Orvis' dark ages, trapper-required course - lol) which was a very picturesque course, but targets were a little soft and the whole trap-boy thing is a PITA so we only went once. I've also shot in CT at the Fairfield F&G Club. Fairfield is the local club for several of my friends, so I go down every weekend after their "Crucible" shoot. I usually get to experience that course as an unofficial ass-kicking (a 60 yard crosser?. .. um, ok... p u l l ).

 

[Sapper33]

It's a little further out of your way, but keep your eyes open for any shoots at the Batavia Rod and Gun Club. The place surprised the heck out of me, tiny hole in the wall spot, but great terrain. For "big" shoots they have a mix of manual and automatic throwers, but always good. Plus, and the small town only helps, the people are great.