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WEST END TRAP CLUB (WETC) RULES

Safety rules for the club

Uncase firearms at your vehicle
While walking, always have 2 hands on the firearm, breech/action open and visible
No firearms in clubhouse
Do not go to trap house until leader assigns you a trap and a coach is present

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4 RULES OF GUN SAFETY

Muzzle Control
Know your target and what’s beyond
Finger off the trigger until ready to shoot
Always treat your gun as if it is loaded

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TEAM REQUIREMENTS

Safety Certificate: MN DNR Firearms or USA Clay League CLASS
Join the MN State High School Clay Target League
Shotgun – 12 or 20 Gauge

Mandatory Equipment

Eye Protection
Ear Protection
Shell Bag
Closed toe shoes

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FUNDAMENTALS

Preshot Routine

Stance
Balance
Gun Mount
Hold Points

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STANCE AND BALANCE

Follow these steps to ensure a proper stance every time:

Spread feet shoulder with apart
Turn dominate side foot (R or L) out 45 degrees
Step forward with non-dominate foot
Bend knees slightly
Lean forward, keeping back leg straight, and mount gun

*Once your feet are in a comfortable position, don’t move them until you move stations.

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5 STEP SHOOTING SYSTEM

This shooting system is a quick effective starting block for young shooters to build their shooting skills with:

Establish dominant eye and incorporate opposite hand pointing
Foot position and leaning
Proper stock mount and pointing
Shooting simulation with clays
Gun/live ammo and clays

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SHOTGUN FIT – LENGTH OF PULL

Gun fit starts by checking the Length of Pull, which is the distance measured from the trigger to the heel, toe and middle of the end of the stock. As part of Gun Fit, checking the Length of Pull will quickly help you diagnose if the stock is too long, too short or just right.

For stocks that are too short, adjusting the Length of Pull is easy—add spacers or extra pads to the butt plate on the stock to extend the length. For stocks that are too long, one can always find a gunsmith to cut it down, but a better option is to find a shotgun with a shorter stock—a youth model might be the better choice. You want a stock to fit you perfectly with just minor modifications.

Once you are comfortable with the Length of Pull you can start resting your cheek on the comb to see where your eyes line up down the barrel.

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SHOTGUN FIT - PITCH

All shotgun stocks are made with a certain degree of Pitch. Pitch is the measurement of the angle from the back of the rib to the top of the heel. Field shotguns often have a high degree of Pitch. Their stocks often slope back considerably, while trap and skeet shotguns have a very low pitch—the line from the receiver to the back of the stock is very straight.

Try taking a straight edge such as a ruler or yardstick and rest it on the rib so that it extends back over the stock. Measure the distance from the top of the heel to the bottom of that straight edge and then you will know the Pitch of that shotgun. Knowing the Pitch of your gun is extremely valuable because adjusting your Pitch will adjust the height of your shot. Trap targets are thrown away from us while on the rise so it’s important that your eyes are at rib height ready to see the target as soon as it leaves the house.

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MOUNTING THE GUN

Stock to shoulder
Cheek on comb
Eye aligned with sight

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MOUNTING THE GUN

Center your aim on the

barrel every time – Be

consistent

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STATIONS

Trap has 5 stations
Your station determines

your hold point

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POSITIONS

The person at station #1 is

called the “Squad Leader”.

They ensure everyone is

ready before shooting begins.

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LEADING THE TARGET

Shoot where the target is

going to be when your shot

arrives

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TARGET LEAD AND DISTANCE

Your station determines lead-

how far ahead of a moving

target you are aiming

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PATTERNING AND RANGE

The patterning station will

show your pellets at a

given distance

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SCORING

A score sheet will

record every hit

or missed target

Missed targets

will be announced

with a vocal “Lost”