Target shooting substitute
IF you’re still filthy about the three-goose limit imposed by Environment Minister Eva Lawler when there are millions about, I have a temporary remedy.
It doesn’t put food on the table, but it is a substitute for the real-life experience of hunting with mates or family in the morning – the beautiful bush setting the NT Field and Game range provides at the Mickett Creek Shooting Complex.
Target shooting with a shotgun originated with firing at live pigeons released from under a top hat in the 18th century. By 1793, a shallow box with a sliding lid was pulled back with a string to release the birds. Hence, the call of “pull” still being used to release clay targets and them sometimes being referred to as clay pigeons.
In the 1860s, glass balls filled with feathers were the first inanimate targets thrown. These would have looked very much like today’s “flash” targets that erupt with a cloud of powder released when shot.
A spring-loaded trap to mechanically throw the glass balls was patented in the US in the 1870s. By the 1880s, domeshaped dish targets made from terracotta and pitch were hitting the shooting scene. Thus, “clay” target shooting was born.
Other developments such as the helice, or “ZZ”, which released a propeller target that jinks and mimics the random flight of live pigeons, commenced as early as 1872. The helice was further popularised in the 1960s and ’70s when the modern helice trap was standardised.
Today, the most popular form of competitive and recreational clay target shooting is sporting clays. This has been a development from down the line (DTL or trap) and skeet. Sporting clays has become the rage across the world because of the variety in the sizes of clays thrown, the angles, the speeds, the distances and heights at which they are presented.
Trap and skeet are very regimented with the same targets thrown repeatedly during a round of 25 targets. However, Australian simulated field (sporting clays/ field and game) has 60mm, 70mm, 90mm and 110mm standard targets thrown at ranges between 15m to 55m.
There are even “rabbit” targets that roll along the ground at speeds that mimic a “myxo” rabbit at a snail’s pace to full on “hares” at 75km/h.
The NT Field and Game range has targets thrown from towers, as well, that simulate ducks and geese winging away at high and low speeds, so everything is covered – and everybody leaves the course well entertained. The best part is the social aspect of simulated field.
Competition or practice is held in small squads of up to six shooters who are often friends. Strolling through the course is relaxing with coaching, conversation, jocularity and even a little stirring the norm among the squad. This is usually frowned on in other forms of clay target shooting, but at field and game it is acceptable and encouraged.
Does it remind you of hunting with your mates? Friday arvo clay target practice is back at NT Field and Game, and they are having a competition from 8am this morning if you are “game” to try.