NEPEAN CLAY TARGET CLUB

LEARN TO SHOOT

The Nepean Clay Target Club welcomes new shooters to come along and try the sport of clay target shooting.

Clay target shooting generally involves using a 12-gauge double-barrelled shotgun to chase down and destroy clay targets. Generally, the clays are thrown away from you at approximately 60kph from a machine, known as ‘the trap’, located 15m ahead of you. See the Shooting Disciplines link at left for the different types of clay target shooting.

We hold practice and introduction sessions every Thursday evening from 4pm – 7pm. The purpose of these nights is for current members to hone their skills before the upcoming weekend’s competitions, as well as for new shooters to come along and try the sport. On Thursda evenings, the Nepean Clay Target Club will provide all equipment necessary to those learning to shoot (under the strictest of supervision). The club has several firearms set aside for the specific purpose of teaching new shooters who are yet to purchase the necessary equipment. Sorry would-be thieves, but these guns are not stored at the club.

The Nepean Clay Target Club has more than ample experienced shooters willing to give up their time on Thursday evenings and assist new shooters with entry into the sport.

Juniors (between the ages of 12 & 18) are particularly encouraged to participate, however they must be accompanied to the club by a parent or guardian. We go to a lot of effort to makes juniors welcome so please don’t hesitate to bring your young ones along. One or several experienced shooters will also be at the trap to guide the juniors through the process. Parents & guardians, please be aware that if we cannot verify the age of your child / ward then they will not be permitted to participate.

It is a common, and incorrect, myth that one must have a firearms licence to learn to shoot clay targets. New shooters are in fact welcome to simply turn up on a Thursday afternoons even without licences and/or club memberships. New shooters will however be asked to (a) sign the visitors book, and (b) verify their age to a senior member of the club if they are a young teenager. Unlicenced shooters are allowed a maximum of three (3) practice sessions before a shooting licence is required.

Simply arrive and ask for one of the senior club members or instructors (see the blue Contacts Us link above) to show you how to do it. By law, only persons over the age of 12 are able to participate in clay target shooting, and every unlicenced shooter MUST be personally accompanied whilst shooting by a person in possession of a full Category A Longarms Licence or above (ie. one of the club members who will happily do so).

The cost of practice shooting (and of learning to shoot) is generally $7 per 25 targets, plus $9 per box of ammunition (25 shells).

We generally hold a BBQ after shooting has ceased so even if you’re not directly involved in the shooting, please turn up, have a sausage & drink and enjoy the company.

By law, all shooters must:

-	have a 0.00 blood alcohol reading to operate a firearm, and
-	not be under the influence of prohibited drugs, and
-	not be under the influence of prescription drugs for psychological purposes, and
-	be of sound mind and body (manageable physical disabilities are acceptable), and
-	not have a criminal record related to violence or firearm offences, and
-	not suffer from a medical condition, such as epilepsy or acute hypotension, which may lead to a temporary loss of consciousness and / or control.

If the Nepean Clay Target Club so much as suspects that a new (or even current) shooter does not satisfy ANY of the criteria above, he / she will not be permitted to participate and may be asked to leave the club grounds.

For new shooters, if you’ve any questions then please don’t hesitate to fire our president Neil Bakker or alternatively give one of us a phone call using the big blue Contact Us link at the top of the page.