Gun Handling Instruction & Safeety
On completion of this instruction, the shooter will . . .
- 1. Occupy the track allocated, with all equipment plus your gun, broken open with its muzzle resting on your boot.
- 2. Demonstrate correct best method of mounting the gun. As a basic guide, the gun after closing is pointed in the direction of the trap house, gripped in the manner for your hand RH or LH. Stand upright with head straight. Place the comb (top of stock) beneath your cheekbone, then slide the gun backward to rest on your shoulder. Using the heel of your trigger hand, gently press the stock inward to your neck so that it rests in the pocket between collar & shoulder bones.
- 3. Mount gun, aim to the correct hold-out point & explain why holding at this point is important Mounted correctly the gun is moved to the "hold-out" point. To explain this, the shooter aims at a point at the front edge of the trap house & to the left of centre for track 1 to 3, & right of centre for tracks 3 to 5.
- 4. Occupy a range pad with the correct weight distribution & stance For a beginner the shooter should stand on track #3, their feet apart, about the same as their shoulder width. The weight distributions should be around 75%~85% on the front foot. The front knee must not be locked & the shooter will lean forward from the waist, into the shot. The front foot should be around 30deg to the line of the track & the back foot comfortable. The stock is pressed firmly against the shoulder, in the pocket as previously described above.
- 5. Call for target & carefully watch the released target's flight The trap is set to straight away & when the shooter feels comfortable & ready, the target is called for. Using an unloaded gun, the target is tracked & the shooter pulls the trigger about one finger thickness below the target & continues the gun movement through the target. This continuation of movement of the shotgun is very important!
- 6. Mount gun correctly, acquire correct aiming point, call for target, pursue & break it Mounting the gun as in (2) above, the target is called for, tracked & shot at, results are noted. Any needed coaching is given & the shot repeated. The procedure is repeated times for each new shooter.
- 7. Attempt five targets released in a fixed direction Starting at pad #one, the shooter calls for & shoots at a target off each track. Any required assistance or coaching is given. The percentage of targets broken is noted for each shooter.Low scoring shooters are given further assistance.
- 8. Attempt a round of fifteen oscillating targets or as per package. The trap is set to oscillating,and all 15 targets are attempted. The results of this round are compared against the other teams in the group. A winning team as well as a winning shooter is declared. Congratulations! well done!
