Informal Clays in Michigan

[Thain]

My wife loves her shotgun and just bought me a gently used 870 Wingmaster, and I'm itching to put some lead into some clay. However, I'm not interested in the more formal shotgun games (yet) and would just like to blast some clays.

Anyone know a place in SE Michigan (Novi/Wixom area) where a guy can go to "toy around" with some clays? I don't have a trap of my own, but most of the ranges near by seem to focus on sporting clays only.

 

[Rupestris]

Island Lake has Sporting clays, skeet and trap. Right down the street from you(96 to Kensington Rd. S., to Grand River E. can't miss it). Its $5/round of trap and the pullers there are very good at helping out new shooters. They will not make you feel like a spincaster on a river of flyfishermen. Barrel length must be 26"+ and shot no larger than 7 1/2 .
Go through the clubhouse and straight across to the trap range. THey have benches where you can sit and watch to get the idea. Someone may even offer to help you out.

Sharronville State Game (Manchester area) area has a public range that has an area set up for clay games. Basically, its concrete bases for you to set up your own thrower and shoot whatever you want on their field.

Try http://www.michigan-sportsman.com There are some good folks there that might be able to help you.

Multi Lakes Conservation Club in Walled Lake - (248) 363-9109. Its a private club but you might want to contact them. Its possible they have a class for beginners that is open to the public.

Wayne County Sportsmans Club is open to the public and their trap shooting is casual and friendly. Its a hike from your neck of the woods but its cheap ($4/round) and its a low stress place to shoot. Its in Romulous/Inkster area, South of Detroit Metro airport.

Then there is The Pit. Its Federal land in Lapeer that you can target shoot on. Its not a range. There is no supervision but the folks that shoot there are pretty good about safety. If you need directions, let me know.

HTH,

Chris

 

[porterdog]

Thanks for the tip regarding Island Lake's barrel limit. Any idea why it's >26" (my only scattergun is 18.5"...)

Also, I'd *love* to have directions to The Pit.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Rupestris]

Robert,
Island lake has been under attack by the local residents (that built their homes within earshot of an existing range). In order to keep the noise down they have made 26"+ mandatory.
You can shoot slugs at the target range through your short bbl. but its 25, 50, and 100 yards. Slugs only so no HD patterning at shorter ranges there.

PM on the way.

Chris

 

[Thain]

Southeast Michigan, especially the 248 and 947 area codes, are the frontlines in the Invasion of the McMansions.

People building these muscle-bound yuppie pods near Island Lake Park (a range and park decades old) actually filed a petetion to stop hunting and shooting there.

:banghead:

 

[1911JMB]

"Then there is The Pit. Its Federal land in Lapeer that you can target shoot on. Its not a range. There is no supervision but the folks that shoot there are pretty good about safety."

Amen and Amen. The pit is fantastic. Locals and people from far away have been going there to shoot for about 60 years. Its a solid 80 miles away from you, but I gurantee you that if you go, you will be hooked. Hope to see you there.

PS, the pit is on state land. If it was on federal land, it would be illegal to shoot there.

 

[Ringer]

For really informal clay busting you can go to the DNR range at Pontiac Lake. Not as modernized as Island Lakes but they have a hand trap field. So you can pick up a hand thrower for $5, a box or two of clays and bust 'em all day as long if you have someone to take turns flinging clays. No barrel restrictions there, at least not the last time I was there. Just bring 7.5 or smaller shot as they don't allow anything larger.

 

[porterdog]

Ah, the noise police. Makes sense it would be that. (not that it *actually* makes sense). I've run into the same thing at Wateford Hills Road Race Course- idiots move in next to an active (not to mention sweet!) race track and then complain about the noise. Duh!

Best response to this I've seen in in a rural area outside of Kalamazoo. Typical setup, former agraria being gentrified. One farmer, aware of the potential problems, has put up a big sign (~12'x8'): ATTENTION! THIS IS AN OPERATIONAL HOG FARM! and goes on to list some of the ramifications of same.

Thanks for the intel!

R

 

[1911JMB]

The truely annoying thing about the people complaining about the range at island lake is that there are no homes within a mile of there. Furthermore, you can hunt at island lake using any shotgun, pistol or black powder set up that you want. Thats just a case of local yuppees who just moved in trying to **** with shooters.

Also, I forgot to mention earlier, there is a fabulous free clay range at Algonac state park. Its another supervision free range, open year round. Just don't shoot anything other than bird shot, and no ground targets; otherwise the dnr will be all over you.