Sporting clays

Rather than using standard distances, target angles and sizes, sporting clay courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, and even rabbits.

Sporting Clays was introduced to American shooters by Bob Brister in his feature article in Field & Stream magazine in July 1980.

On September 27, 1980, the first Sporting Clays shoot was held at Remington's Lordship Gun Club in Connecticut.

Ninety shooters participated, including executives from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

Edward Cave wrote an article in 1913 called "Clay Bird Golf" which included a diagram of his shooting course with all types of target presentations and two towers.

Proper ear and eye protection are mandatory, and firearms safety procedures, as listed in the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) Rule Book, must be followed at all times while on a course.

Throughout a course, the shooters might see targets crossing from either side, coming inward, going outward, flying straight up, rolling on the ground, arcing high in the air, or thrown from towers.