Competitive Shotgunning, how to start.

[IdahoSkies]

I have shot some IDPA and enjoyed it, but have always been a shotgun hunter. I recently shot a sporting clays course and a couple of rounds of skeet and really enjoyed it. There are tons of "how to get started in IDPA" threads and articles out there, but I can't find much at all about competative shotgunning, other than "it exists."

Can I just show up at a shoot, is there a national association that I have to join? Is it organized like USPSA and IDPA, or are the rules regional, like 3 gun?

I know how the games work, the question I have is, how to I actually get started in more than just going out and shooting the game on the weekend. Thanks.

 

[Jim Watson]

Skeet (and Sporting Clays) has the National Skeet Shooting Association.
http://www.nssa-nsca.org/index.php/nssa-skeet-shooting/

Trap has the Amateur Trapshooting Association.
http://www.shootata.com/

I don't know if there is a Five Stand organization. Five Stand is akin to Sporting Clays with more different target presentations than Trap or Skeet, but in a small area unlike the golf course size layout of Sporting Clays. Five Stand is often shot on a combination field using the Skeet and Trap machines and several others in addition.

You don't HAVE to join to shoot except in sanctioned tournaments. For practice and recreational shooting, just show up. Training is available or you can find a local mentor to guide you along.

Skeet and Trap are standardized nationwide. (Other countries shoot different versions.)
Five Stand varies from place to place, Sporting Clays varies a LOT from place to place and time to time.

 

[jtischauser]

Are you wanting to shoot the flying bird shotgun sports or the run and gun action/tactical shotgun sports like this? Action shot gunning has no organization. In Europe IPSC is the sanctioning body but over here there are only about 4-5 big fun matches per year. They are my favorite!

Either way you can always show up and shoot.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TP8cZ-xqnZI

 

[IdahoSkies]

I am interested in Skeet and Sporting Clays mostly. So the "Flying bird" shoots.

I just showed up at IDPA and shot, but the "traditional" games seemed more regimented and I did not quite now where to start.

 

[jtischauser]

Most clubs have skeet and trap leagues on the summer. Lots of them are pay as you go like golf. Just head out and shoot.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Find a local place that does it and go and compete. Plenty of folks will be happy to help you out and get started. That's what happened when I joined local trap league.