NY’S BEST PUBLIC SPORTING CLAYS
Long Island New York Sporting Clays Shooting Range
The Long Island Shooting Range At Brookhaven
Sporting Clays Shooting
Sporting Clays is a form of clay pigeon shooting that involves the use of a shotgun to shoot at clay targets that are thrown into the air or rolled along the ground. Unlike trap and skeet shooting, which are more structured and predictable, Sporting Clays simulates the unpredictability of hunting by presenting targets in a variety of speeds, angles and trajectories.
In Sporting Clays, shooters move through a course or series of stations, each of which presents a different target. The targets may be thrown as singles or pairs, and may be launched from high towers, from behind brush, or from other natural or man-made obstacles. Some targets may be thrown straight up into the air, while others may be thrown in a looping trajectory or across the shooter’s field of vision.
In some instances, the targets utilized in Sporting Clays are made of clay and are painted different colors to represent different types of game, such as quail, pheasant, or duck. The targets are usually larger and heavier than those used in trap or skeet shooting, and they are designed to break apart into several pieces when hit.
Unlike trap and skeet shooting, which have a set pattern and sequence of targets, Sporting Clays courses are designed to be unpredictable and challenging. Shooters may not know what type of target they will be shooting at or from which direction it will be launched until they step up to the shooting station. This unpredictability makes Sporting Clays a more exciting and dynamic form of clay pigeon shooting that tests a shooter’s ability to adapt to changing conditions.
Bad Weather Alert!
If it’s raining or snowing, please give us a call to make sure the Sporting Clays range is open before visiting.
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Need Ammo?
The Long Island Shooting Range At Brookhaven’s Pro Shop is fully stocked with a wide variety of ammunition for all your shooting needs.
Questions?
Give us a call at 631.924.5091 — We’re happy to help!
(Click The Sporting Clays Map Above For A Larger Image)
Looking for a Sporting Clays shooting range in your area? The Long Island Shooting Range at Brookhaven is a great choice for beginners and experienced shooters alike. Sporting Clays is a popular shotgun shooting sport that involves shooting clay targets that simulate game birds in a natural hunting environment. It’s a challenging and exciting sport that requires skill, accuracy, and focus.
At the Long Island Shooting Range at Brookhaven, you’ll find a variety of shooting stations that simulate different hunting scenarios, such as birds flushing or crossing. The targets are launched from various locations and angles, making each shot unique and challenging. Our Sporting Clays course is designed to test a shooter’s ability to adapt to different target presentations and shooting scenarios, making it an ideal sport for hunters and competitive shooters alike.
While trap and skeet shooting are more structured and predictable forms of clay pigeon shooting, Sporting Clays offers a more challenging and unpredictable experience that simulates the conditions of hunting. The Long Island Shooting Range At Brookhaven Sporting Clays courses are designed to present a variety of targets in different speeds, angles, and trajectories, making it a dynamic and exciting sport for shooters of all levels.
Sporting Clays Shooting Intelligence
Becoming a competent in Sporting Clays requires a lot of dedication, hard work, and practice. Here are some tips that can help you improve your skills and achieve your goal:
➔ Focus on proper gun fit and mount: A well-fitted gun that is mounted consistently can make a big difference in your accuracy and comfort level while shooting. Make sure you have a gun that fits you properly, and practice mounting it consistently to your cheek and shoulder.
➔ Work on your footwork and positioning: Footwork and positioning are key factors in shooting Sporting Clays. Practice moving smoothly through each station and setting up in a comfortable and balanced position to take your shot.
➔ Improve your target acquisition skills: Being able to quickly and accurately identify the target and track its trajectory is essential in Sporting Clays. Focus on improving your eye-hand coordination and tracking skills, and practice calling for your targets consistently.
➔ Practice regularly: Regular practice is key to improving your performance in Sporting Clays. Make sure you practice regularly, and challenge yourself by shooting different types of targets and varying the distance, speed, and angle of your shots. This will help you develop your skills and improve your overall performance in the sport.
➔ Develop a consistent pre-shot routine: A consistent pre-shot routine can help you stay focused and calm before each shot. Develop a routine that works for you, and practice it consistently to help you stay in the zone during competition.
➔ Work with a coach: A skilled coach can help identify weaknesses in your technique, and provide personalized feedback and instruction to help you improve. Seek out a coach with a strong track record of success, and who can work with you to develop a customized training plan.
Sporting Clays History
Sporting Clays is a relatively modern sport, developed in the 20th century as a way to simulate the unpredictability of hunting with a shotgun. The earliest form of Sporting Clays is thought to have originated in England in the early 1900s, where hunters would set up informal shooting competitions in the countryside.
The first recorded Sporting Clays event took place in 1925 at the West London Shooting School, where a group of shooters set up a course of 20 targets that were designed to simulate different types of game. Sporting Clays quickly gained popularity in England and spread to other countries, including the United States, where the first Sporting Clays course was built in 1980 in Texas.
In the early days of Sporting Clays, courses were often improvised and targets were thrown by hand or using primitive mechanical devices. However, the sport began to evolve in the 1970s and 1980s, as shooters and course designers started to experiment with new equipment and technology to create more challenging and realistic targets.
Today, Sporting Clays is a global sport with a wide variety of courses and targets, from simple skeet-style targets to complex targets that simulate game birds flying in a variety of directions and trajectories. The sport has also evolved to include different categories and classes of shooters, from novice to expert, and has become a popular competition sport at both the national and international levels.
Sporting Clays has also gained recognition as a fun and challenging recreational activity for hunters, clay shooters, and gun enthusiasts of all levels. From its humble beginnings in England to its global popularity today, Sporting Clays has become a beloved sport for many gun enthusiasts and hunters around the world.
What’s The Difference Between Sporting Clays and FITASC?
Sporting Clays and FITASC (Fédération Internationale de Tir aux Armes Sportives de Chasse) shooting are both shotgun shooting sports that involve shooting at clay targets, but they differ in several key ways.
➤ Course Layout: Sporting Clays courses typically have multiple shooting stations and a wide variety of targets that simulate different types of game birds and hunting scenarios. In contrast, FITASC courses are generally more structured and have fewer shooting stations with specific target presentations that must be shot in a particular order.
➤ Target Presentation: Sporting Clays targets can vary in speed, direction, angle, and trajectory, and may simulate game birds flushing, crossing, or quartering. In FITASC, targets are presented in a more standardized manner, with a limited number of target presentations.
➤ Scoring System: Sporting Clays scoring is typically based on a hit-or-miss system, with targets that are broken scoring points and those that are missed scoring zero points. In FITASC, targets are scored on a point system, with a maximum of three points awarded for each target based on where it is hit.
➤ Shooting Technique: In Sporting Clays, shooters are typically allowed to mount the gun and pre-mount it before calling for the target, while in FITASC, shooters must start with the gun unmounted and then bring it to the shoulder and aim before shooting the target.
➤ Equipment: Sporting Clays shooters typically use over-under or side-by-side shotguns, while FITASC shooters must use a semi-automatic or pump-action shotgun.
In summary, while both Sporting Clays and FITASC shooting involve shooting at clay targets with a shotgun, they differ in terms of course layout, target presentation, scoring system, shooting technique, and equipment requirements. Understanding these differences can help shooters choose the right sport for their skills and preferences.
