Clay Pigeon Shooting - beginner

Blush_01

Hi all. I'm looking for a bit of advice, I suppose. We did some clay shooting yesterday as part of a company outing and I loved it. I'd really like to know more about how to get involved in clay shooting as a hobby. I'm not sure what I'm even really asking, but if anyone has any advice about any part of clay shooting I'd really appreciate it. I'm mainly based in Dublin and Tipperary.

pullandbang

An other one hooked!!!:D:D

Welcome to the addiction known as clay shooting.

Your first port of call should be here http://www.icpsa.ie/ the governing body for clay shooting in Ireland.

Next you need to decide which branch of clay shooting you want to do. It's broken basically into two sections - sporting and trap, each with their own disciplines. The best thing to do is to go to a couple of grounds and try each one out. You'll get contact details for the grounds from the ICPSA website.

If you end up joining the ICPSA you can take part in the weekly competitions that are held all over the country. However you don't have to shoot competitively, you can just go and shoot for fun but that tends to get boring after a while.

Then all you need is a gun and away you go. However to get a licence you will either have to get permission from two landowners to shoot their land or join the ICPSA.

If you're about Dublin, check out Hilltop:

http://www.pcquad.com/

bayliner

pullandbang wrote: »

Then all you need is a gun and away you go. However to get a licence you will either have to get permission from two landowners to shoot their land or join the ICPSA.

or find out who your local gun club is and see about joining up? that way you dont have to go look for landowners,

dubscooby

The place to be in dublin north to go clay shooting is courtlough in balbriggan, its the place to be, check them out on google!! courtlough.ie

Bang-Bang

if you are based in dublin we have our national shooting grounds in ashbourne we have practice every satuarday and coaching if you need it goog luck and welcome to our soprt
bang bang

endasmail

where the shooting grounds in ashbourne??? bang bang

Bang-Bang

the shooting ground is beside the rugby club and down the road from the golfclub if you know where the ashbourne house is its just down the road from it we are out there every satuarday morning and after out shoot we have a cuppa and a chat ask anyone out there where the rugby club is we are beside it good luck

Fajitas!

Sorry to jump in here, but is it open for anyone to pop in?

Bang-Bang

yes its open to anyone who would like to join us we will welcome all no matter what age sex or experience

Fajitas!

Cheers!

What's the story then, what would one need on their first visit out there?

Bang-Bang

do you own a gun if so bring it if not no problem u can borrow one u will need ammo eye protection ear protection but if you dont have any jut come out explain that you are interested and you would like to try it and we will see if we can facilitate you you may have to watch the first time you are out or we can orginaise coaching for a hour with everything you require for a fee (which is worth it)i would recomend the last idea

Fajitas!

Yep, I'd pay a fee for it - I've shot clay pigeons before, so I'd have an idea, but wouldn't mind going through the ropes - Got on grand before, but I'm sure there's plenty I missed out on.

I'm not fully sure how much I want to invest in it just yet, so would probably be the best idea.

Bang-Bang

come and get a bit of coaching for a while and then decide if you want to keep it up thats the bet way to do it there are a few disiplines so you would have to decide which one you want to do but i would recommend coming out having a chat with the lads and girlies and see what you want to do:D

Fajitas!

Great, that's fantastic.

Cheers Bang-Bang - I've a small bit of work to do before I'll have the freedom to head out, but I'm definitely interested. Hopefully see you out there some Saturday

Bang-Bang

no problem and yep you will see me out there most satuardays from 10.30 until about 2.30 its on every sat without fail
bang bang

pullandbang

Just a quick note on Ashbourne Shooting Grounds - it's not really open to everyone - you must be an insured member of the ICPSA to take part. There are no loan guns available. Coaching can be provided and beginners may use the coach's gun under strict supervision.
Visitor's are always welcome to come and observe and have a cup of tea!:D

distinction99

I'm thinking about going clay shooting this weekend for the first time and was wondering how many shots you would recommend for a complete beginner (how many could the shoulder take, ha)

Any info would be most appreciated.

Cass

You set the pace. If you are feeling it then stop.

As for amount, why not start with a 25-30 bird option, and if you feel up to it go again.

If you are getting a bad kick your instructor should notice and adjust your hold. Once you get the swing of it you should be feeling more of a shove than a kick.

Great fun though. Try not let the thoght of the "kick" put you off.

Enjoy.

distinction99

Thanks for the info... will let you know how i get on.

Half-cocked

pullandbang wrote: »

Just a quick note on Ashbourne Shooting Grounds - it's not really open to everyone - you must be an insured member of the ICPSA to take part. There are no loan guns available. Coaching can be provided and beginners may use the coach's gun under strict supervision.
Visitor's are always welcome to come and observe and have a cup of tea!:D

But you can get a €5 day insurance if you haven't been a member before? I think it is available to a maximum of 3 times before you must join up ICPSA as a full member?

kemen

your right in a way about the €5 insurance. thats insurance cover on top of the entry fee to enter a registered competition on the day if your not a member of the icpsa.

cavan shooter

Head up to Courtlough and the lads there will sort you out with day insurance, a gun if you dont have it and will even bring you around. Courtlough accept all insurance from NARGC to countryside alliance etc.

Enjoy, wont be long till you are joining ICPSA and shooting registered trap or even the CSI (Clay Sports Ireland ) flappers..its addictive