Adam Vinatieri's 4th Annual Clays 4 Charity

Event Safety
Information

Safety is the first consideration of the day — on the line, between stations, and everywhere in between. Please review before you shoot.

★ Safety First

On the Line

The first consideration in shooting a round of sporting clays is always safety — and it starts the moment you begin to remove your shotgun from your vehicle.

  1. Make sure your gun is not loaded by opening the breech, and look down the barrel to check for obstructions. Keep the breech open so everyone can see it's safe; if you have an over/under or side-by-side, carry it broken open with the muzzle down or up in the air.
  2. At all times, treat the gun as if it is loaded.
  3. Use the proper ammo — both the correct gauge and the correct shell for what you're shooting. Ask the gun club management what is appropriate.
  4. Never put a shotshell into your gun until you are on a shooting station, it is your turn, and you are in the box, ready to shoot.
  5. If there is a malfunction or the gun does not fire, continue pointing it safely downrange, then unload it or ask for assistance. The problem may be faulty ammo or a mechanical failure. If a shot ever sounds light or different, stop immediately, unload, and check your barrel to make sure the wad has cleared and there are no obstructions.
  6. Never move off a station until your gun is open and safe.
  7. Eye and ear protection are required any time you're on a sporting clays course.
An instructor guiding a shooter at a station Loading shells into an over-under shotgun A shooter calling for a target
How It Works

Shooting a Round of Clays

To shoot a round of sporting clays, you'll start on the assigned first station and shoot each station in order. Before the first person in every squad shoots, the referee will show your squad the targets, so you'll be familiar with what and how the targets are being thrown and can strategize how you'll shoot them.

When the previous squad has finished shooting a station and it's your squad's turn, hand your scorecard to the referee. When your turn comes up, be ready. Step up to the station — and only then do you load your shotgun. Point it safely toward the target firing area. When your gun is ready and you are in position, relax and call “pull.”

When you shoot, the target is considered a “dead bird” if any part of it is broken. The referee will score each shot a hit or miss and has the final word.

When you're done shooting at a station, open your gun, remove the used hulls, and exit the station. Remain behind the station, out of the way of the scorer, until all shooters have shot that station and are ready to move on.

When waiting your turn, it's acceptable to talk in a low voice so as not to disturb shooters, scorers, and others.

You'll find that sporting clays shooters are friendly and always eager to share their sport with beginners. So while you're learning, don't hesitate to ask questions. Let your fellow shooters and referees know that you're a new shooter, and they'll go out of their way to show you the ropes and help you learn the game. Have fun!

Ready When You Are

Claim Your Spot

Join us August 14 at The Preserve for the greatest day in sporting clays.

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