My family decided one weekend that it was time that we all should know how to shoot sporting clays. We woke up early the next morning, at around 6:15 a.m. so as to avoid traffic and the heat, and drove up to Corona, California.
While the rest of my family had been skeet shooting before, I had not. Fearing that I would not only miss all of the targets but possibly injure someone, I went to Mike Raahauge’s Shooting Enterprises determined to learn to shoot, safely.
We pulled up and parked in the dusty lot, stretching out our legs after the hour and a half car ride. I was immediately startled by the booming noises in the background, but soon got used to it after putting in my very fashionable neon pink ear plugs.
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When you arrive you must go into the main office, sign a waiver and read some rules. As we already had our own guns, we were free to go roam the shooting range.
We loaded up our car with the guns and ammo and drove from station to station. At each station, the neon orange discs, or “sporting clays,” fly into the sky at different heights, as they are supposed to be simulating different animals.
I missed the majority of my first shots. Slowly but surely, I got the hang of it and began to nail some of the slower “birds.” By the end of the afternoon, I had hit maybe 1/10 of the discs, but felt extremely proud regardless.
A Little More Information…
Raahauge’s charges $24 per 50 targets. As beginner shooters most likely will not have their own guns, you can rent 12-gage and 20-gage shotguns for $10, not including ammo. You can also set up private lessons with experienced instructors. Details can be found here.
While an unusual outing, shooting sporting clays with my family was one of the most fun afternoons I have had all summer. Since my first time shooting, I have gone back to Raahague’s and plan on returning in August. Regardless of how inexperienced you are, it is sure to be an entertaining way to spend your Saturday, just make sure not to injure anyone!
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