[Whitman31]

Anyone have a good link where I can read up on Sporting Clay Etiquette? I'm going out this weekend with some buddies from work and it's been years since I've been to a course and I'd like to see what's considered "proper" these days, don't want to look like a fool, sometimes it's tough...

[SDC]

Pretty well the same as for the other shotgun sports; gun is always unloaded with the action open until you're on the pad, no talking while anyone else is shooting (some good-natured ribbing AFTER someone misses a shot is usualy given and taken by all involved, though), glasses and hearing protection at all times, and have fun. Most courses will have their own specific rules posted (usually including a shot size restriction; I once was hit on the cheek by someone using #4s the next station over), so give them a quick look, and ask the puller if there's anything else you need to know.

[TrapperReady]

Safety first. When you're not in the shooting station, keep the action open and the gun unloaded. Carry it pointed upwards and with the action readily visible (if an O/U, broken over your shoulder (barrels forward) is common).

Eye and ear protection the entire time you are on the course. Basically, any time I'm not in the clubhouse, I keep my eye protection on.

Most courses will have the rules specific to their range posted in or near the clubhouse. Read through them and ask questions if anything is unclear.

The first shooter at each station is allowed to view a pair of targets from within the box. Everyone else gets to see those and whatever the preceeding shooters shoot at. Most of the time, the squad will rotate (keeping the same sequence of shooters, but changing who starts at each station). If so, just keep track of who you follow. If theiy aren't rotating, it may be helpful to ask to be placed near the bottom of the order.

Take a few seconds and pick up your empties. Either pocket them or throw them in the trash can. If you don't then someone else has to. If you reload, DON'T spend an inordinate amount of time picking through the trash for hulls. It slows things down and is maddening to squads behind you. Some places consider any hull that touches the ground to be their property.

If there is a trapper, be polite and friendly. If it is an automated course, then make sure to take your turn pushing buttons and scoring. When scoring, most people like to hear either "Dead!" (for a hit) or "Lost!" (for a miss). They are normally called out as:

* Hit both targets = "DEAD PAIR!"
* Hit first target, missed second = "DEAD and LOST!"
* Missed first target, hit second = "LOST and DEAD!"
* Missed both targets = "LOST PAIR!"

Oh yeah, if there is a trapper and they do a decent job, tip them. And call "Pull!" loud enough to be heard.

Most ranges have a limit making #7.5 shot the largest size. If you're using #8 or #7.5, you're fine. If you're trying to use up some old goose loads from a few years ago, that's not a good idea.

Be safe. Have fun. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

If I haven't stressed it enough... be safe and have fun!

[RNB65]

The most common mistake I see from newbies is sticking shells into their gun before they're in the shooter's box. Some people grab that gun off the rack and start dropping shells into it as they're walking towards the shooter's box. I usually give a quick reminder not to load shells until they're in the box.

[Dave McCracken]

Along with the good input so far....

Even if you're a Type A personality, do not stress out over last targets, slow pullls, no birds etc. Relax and have fun. BE the squad member you like to shoot with.

[PJR]

Excellent advice so far.

Here are my additional thoughts. Bring more shells than you need. Sometimes birds come out broken, pairs sometimes need to be reshot and having extra shells means you won't face the embarassment of having to borrow some if you run out before the round is over.

Don't dawdle when it's your turn. It's very frustrating when a shooter is still changing his chokes, rummaging through his bag or otherwise not ready when it's his turn.

Safety first and always. If you are shooting an o/u bring it straight up out of the rack and open the gun with the barrels still pointing up. I've seen guys remove o/us from the rack only to point them closed at other shooters before they open the gun.

If you are shooting a semi-auto never point the barrel at another shooter. Unlike an o/u it's difficult with a semi to see whether it is open and I've seen way too many semi owners inadvertently their barrel in the wrong direction going from station to station.

Remember you are not shooting competitively. You might consider just forgetting the scorecard at the clubhouse and shoot for fun. I am doing that more often these days just to enjoy the experience of shooting and not press and stress if you miss a target.

[axeman_g]

I will add something I found to be very useful the very first time I went to a SC course.... make sure your gun doesn't break! In that vien, bring a backup gun and shells for it if it is a different gauge then the low life POS, cant believe I spent money on you broken gun!

[Big Az Al]

If your shooting with friends and you did any of number of things all shotgunners do, don't worry you don't need to hit yourself over the head they'll rib you well enough.

If your shooting with people you have never shot with, but know, don't be shy, fire way they can only rib you back in your turn.

Belly laughs are good for your inner self, and better when your laughing at yourself with others!

Relax enjoy no matter how bad your doing you can do worse.

#1 most heard saying around a Trap shooting event, when shooters are walking away from a handicap event:

" I used to take comfort in the thought I couldn't shoot that bad"!!!!!!!!

Having shoot some 5 stand, I think we stole that from Sporting Clay's