Sporting Clays

Sporting Clays

What is Sporting Clays?

Sporting Clays is a form of clay pigeon shooting, that differs from trap and skeet shooting, in that:

1. It is considered by many to be more difficult than trap or skeet.
2. It involves shooting clay targets at multiple locations (called stations).
3. Unlike trap and skeet, sporting clays targets are thrown in a great variety of trajectories, angles, speeds, elevations and distances

Annual Membership $500

100 Sporting Clays         $40.00 (non-annual member)     $20.00 (annual member)
50 Sporting Clays            $25.00 (non-annual member)     $12.00 (annual member)
Target Load per Box       $10.00 (non-annual member)      $ 5.00 (annual member)
Gun Rental                        $20.00 (non-annual member)     $10.00 (annual member)

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Oceda Plantation's Lighted Multi-Station Recreational Range

The original idea behind sporting clays was to create an experience that more closely reflects actual hunting conditions. Whereas top-tier trap and skeet professionals may have hit ratings nearing 100%, the best sporting clay shooters hit their targets only about 93% to 95% of the time.

Although the sport is challenging, it is quite popular with novice shooters and ordinary hunters. While many shooters opt for expensive double-barreled shotguns, the game is equally enjoyable with an inexpensive pump-action shotgun or autoloading (semiautomatic) shotgun. Advanced shooters have the clays thrown as simultaneous pairs (called simo pairs), while novice or intermediate shooters can opt for the clays to be thrown on report (the second clay launched on the report of the shooters gun, hence the name, report pair).

Naturally, safety is paramount. Proper ear and eye protection and firearms safety procedures are required while on a course.

Course Layout and Play

Oceda Plantation utilizes one figure-eight clay pigeon thrower and two portable adjustable angle throwers, which can be configured for up to 9 stations. However, since we are primarily a recreational hunting retreat, we maintain a three-station configuration and adjust the course to nine stations for special member or public events. The range is fifty-feet down the stone walk from Oceda Plantation Bed & Breakfast Lodge.

Varying numbers of clay pairs are shot at each station, with the total shots for an outing adding up to 50 or 100 (two or four boxes of shells, respectively). Targets are thrown at different angles and speeds; sometimes across the shooters view (crossers), towards the shooter (in-comers), or away from the shooter (out-goers). The shots are intended to simulate hunting for quail, grouse, pheasant, pigeon, or other ground habitat game birds.

Oceda Plantation is in the process of completing construction of its release towers in and around its duck ponds and bird hunting woods. The clay pigeon throwers should be installed by Thanksgiving and we will begin offering a simulated 'waterfowl' sporting clay course, utilizing the duck blinds around the ponds.