The basics
Clay pigeon shooting takes its name from an era when live birds were released from collapsible boxes and used for target practice. That concept was banned in 1921 and the sport now involves shooting inanimate flying saucers, which are still playfully known as ‘‘birds’’. It’s more limestone and asphalt-byproduct than blood and feathers.
As the target is flung from a machine called a ‘‘trap’’ the objective is to make a hit or ‘‘kill’’. New Zealand has been relatively successful at the sport; Natalie Rooney notably claimed silver in the women’s trap event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Giving it a bash
Before approaching the main event, it was suggested I become familiar with holding and aiming a weapon at Beretta at Bracu’s dedicated air rifle range. The gun preparation proved helpful, though the rifle’s spitting blast was no comparison to the outrageous force of the Beretta SV10 12-gauge shotgun.
The main clay pigeon field at Bracu is located at the foot of a large green pond. The water and surrounding area is inhabited by a large contingent of ducks; none of which bat a feather as bullets thunder through the valley and, at least once on this occasion, straight in their direction.
New Zealand Shooting Federation’s Gavin Paton walked me through the basics of loading the shotgun, where to point it – not at the ducks – and how to stand. Due to the kickback, the gun was to be held firmly into the soft patch of my shoulder with my cheek resting neatly over the stock. Then it’s simply a process of following the target up to its peak, trusting yourself and pulling the trigger.
There are five trap levels on this particular field: A to E. They range from slow floating targets to swift and horizontal. Pull! I yell, as a fluorescent orange disc flings out of the bushes. My first attempt of trap B was a success. One thousand shattered remains now lay at the bottom of the pond. Duck food. It was exhilarating. The reload, however, comes with two empty shell casings and a cloud of smoke straight to the face. Lesson two:
Before approaching the main event, it was suggested I become familiar with holding and aiming a weapon at Beretta at Bracu's dedicated air rifle range.
point away when reloading.
Target A was called the simplest, though in my case it seemed to be one of the hardest. After a string of misses, Paton suggested that I was shooting under the target and that when aiming to simply line up the ‘‘bird’’ with the barrel.
It was fruitful advice and by round five I was striking As, Bs, Cs, Ds, Es and different combinations of each. The weight of the gun and firing vibrations eventually took their toll on my shoulder and I wrapped up the session with a quick A-B combo. Next stop: Toyko 2020.
Why you should try it
Clay pigeon shooting is a particularly rewarding sport; being in control of an all-powerful weapon and obliterating targets.
In extended sessions supporting the weight of the gun could be considered a form of isometric contraction, where muscles tense but don’t change in length.
Paton says it will work muscles that ‘‘you didn’t even know you even had’’.
Risk rating
Safety and common sense is essential with guns of any kind. At Beretta at Bracu they enlist trained firearm instructors for each booking, provide safety equipment including glasses and ear protection, and make a point that all weapons should be pointed into the shooting zone at all times.
For more info
berettaatbracu.co.nz