Safety and Etiquette
General Club Rules, Guidelines, and Gun Safety.
All Shooters must check in at the front desk before any shooting can start.
Shotguns should be treated as if they are always loaded. Never point a gun at anyone even if you are sure it is unloaded.
The action of all shotguns must remain open unless you are actively shooting. Actions need to remain open while moving from post to post, to and from the range, and even to your vehicle. Barrels must be either pointed to the ground or straight up to the sky. Never carry a gun with the barrel pointed behind you.
Only put your finger on the trigger just before you intend to fire the shotgun.
Using the gun’s safety mechanism in NOT an alternative to the above requirements.
The use of eye and ear protection are mandatory.
If you don’t have a shooting vest, you can borrow a vest or belt pouch from the club, so you do not have to place the shell box on the ground. Bending over to pick up a new shell is distracting to other shooters.
Shooters are almost always happy to have you look at their guns if you ask permission first. Do not pick up another shooter’s gun from the gun rack and handle it without asking.
Be a good sportsman, have fun (after all that is why you are here) and treat every other shooter the way you would like to be treated.
Trap Etiquette
If you are the squad leader, meaning you are the shooter on post 1 when the round starts, check that all other shooters are at their post and ready before initiating each series of 5 shots. This is especially true for any shooter moving from post 5 to post 1.
Before the very first target of the round is thrown, the Squad Leader, should ask “squad ready?”, if the answer is no, then wait a bit before everyone is settled and ready. After all are ready to go, a sample target should be called so that the squad can decide if the Trap mechanism needs adjustment. If the test bird is acceptable, then the Squad Leader can start. Note: this is only done on the very first target of the round not on every post.
When it is your turn, do not be too anxious to shoot. Don’t raise your gun until the shooter before you has completed his shot and lowered his gun. Then load your gun, mount it, get ready, call for the target in a clear voice, track the bird and pull the trigger. After firing, lower your gun and remove the spent hull. After you take your shot, whether you break the target or not, try not to speak out either in joy or displeasure, these are distracting to the other shooters. There will be plenty of time after the round to laugh or cry, whatever the case may be. Unless you are shooting doubles, load only one shell at a time. If a delay occurs remove the shell(s) from the chamber.
Between shots, remain on your post, standing facing the trap quietly. Refrain from bending down to get a new or spent shell or pace back and forward or side to side. These are very distracting to the other shooters.
After all shooters have taken their 5 shots, it is time to move to the next post. Ensure your gun is unloaded and the gun’s action is open.
When moving from post 5 to post 1, walk behind all of the other shooters keeping your barrel pointed at the ground. When you are settled on post 1 and ready to shoot, ensure that you look at the leader of your squad and give him a thumbs up (or other non-vocal overt gesture) indicating you are ready. The leader should be waiting for you before continuing with their own shot.
At the end of the round remain on your last post facing the trap until the last person has fired their last shot.
If you are using a Semi Auto Action Shotgun, ensure your gun is equipped with a shell catcher. No other shooter likes it when spent hulls are flung at them or worse yet, hit them in the leg or face.
Try not to talk loudly during the round, if one of the microphones picks up your voice, you may cause a target to be thrown outside of your turn.
If using a pump or semi auto, try not to close or open your action directly in front of the microphone as you may cause the machine to throw a target out of turn.
Wait until the end of the round to reach down and pick up empty shells from the ground.
Always be aware of where your barrel is pointed especially after your shot. Follow through is a good thing, too much follow through may not be.
When you close the gun’s action make sure to have your barrel pointed down range. Not at or on your foot or directly at the ground. Accidental discharges do happen on occasion. If one were to happen to you, you will probably prefer that your foot or someone else is not involved.
HTSC Skeet Range Etiquette
When entering the skeet field, have your eye and ear protection in place, your shotgun action open and pointed in a safe direction. In general, automatic, pump, and single shot shotguns should be pointed up and down range. Break open shotguns should always have the muzzle in sight and pointed down. Never, ever point your shotgun at another person even if you believe it is unloaded!
When waiting your turn to shoot, keep your voice down so you will not disturb/distract the active shooter. Be ready to take the shooting station without delay when it is your turn. If you are shooting by yourself, ask the clubhouse manager for help, use a voice call, but DO NOT use your foot on the target release buttons.
Load your shotgun only if you are on a shooting station. Load only one round at one shell stations and a maximum of two rounds at doubles stations. Have your shells ready where you do not have to stoop to get them.
Call for your targets in a clear voice, remember the target puller is also wearing hearing protection.
Remain on your shooting station until you have fired and/or unloaded your shotgun and have removed the fired shotshell casings from your shotgun. Do not step off the shooting station until this action is completed.
If expended shotshell casings fall to the ground, Do Not Retrieve Them immediately. Wait until the end of the round to retrieve your shotshell casings.
Stay with your shooting squad, do not move ahead or lag behind. This distracts the other shooter(s) and could be unsafe.
Be Safe and Have Fun!
