TRAPSHOOTING
Test your skills today!
What is Trapshooting?
Recognized as an Olympic sport in 1900, trapshooting is a target shooting sport that focuses on breaking 4½ inch clay discs. While similar to [skeetshooting] and [sporting clays], trap shooting targets move away from the shooter at 42mph to simulate the flight path of a bird during a hunt.
Trap shooting has grown in popularity over the last few years, especially with young people. It’s a game of movement that tests the shooter’s accuracy, skill, and response time, requiring action within split seconds.
It doesn’t matter if you are young, old, male, female, able-bodied, or not. In trapshooting, and all other shooting sports, we all have a place to test our abilities.
Types of Trapshooting
There are three different disciplines under the umbrella of trap shooting.
- Singles
- Doubles
- Handicap
Each is explained in detail below. We offer all three types of trap shooting at Okeechobee Shooting Sports.
Type: Singles
Considered the easiest of the three, single trapshooting requires the participant to stand 16 yards from the “trap house,” from which the clays are released at random. The clays fly at various angles.
In singles, shooters are divided into groups of five called “squads.” Each squad stands at one of the five positions and is allowed five shots per position. Each shooter is set up 16 yards away from the house, has a different perspective of the clay, and is roughly three feet from the others.
Type: Doubles
Doubles is a harder, altered version of singles. Instead of one target, the shooter now has to break two separate clays fired in different directions from the trap house at once. The target’s path never changes, but the difficulty comes from hitting two targets in the same amount of time you were once going after one.
There are no partners in doubles, and each target is scored individually.
Type: Handicap
By far the most difficult form of trapshooting, handicapping is about making the competition as equal as possible regardless of the skill of the shooter. This is accomplished by setting the most skilled participants farther away from the trap house, meaning the distance to the target is greater.
The amount of handicap is based on the person’s previous performance. The most skilled shooters are placed back at the 27-yard line, making winning the event extremely difficult.
But How Do You Play?
The participant (you) stands in place and yells the word “pull.” A target will be hurled from a trap house. If you play doubles, you’ll have two targets shot in different directions. We also offer “wobble trap” where the clay is released at varying directions and elevations.
When it comes to scoring, it doesn’t matter if you only hit a small piece of the clay or blow it to pieces. Here at OKSS, we say a hit is a hit.
Serving All Of South Florida, Outdoor Gun Ranges
For over 15 years, Okeechobee Shooting Sports has been tucked in the woods of Okeechobee County, living on a dream. It all started with the hopes of making a safe, welcoming, and wide-open facility for all types in the shooting community. From newbies and novices to those born and bred in gun country, we want everyone to feel welcome.
This place is focused on making this experience the best it can possibly be, and that means a lot of things. Not only do we host a lot of different outdoor ranges, training, and events, but we also offer gunsmithing, carry firearms, and all your shooting accessories.
We pride ourselves on being a good-looking place with good people and a really good offer. If you’re worried about keeping this hobby as sustainable and accessible as possible, consider a membership.
Come Out With Us!
But, Why Should I? The Benefits of Sport Shooting
Firstly, it’s just plain old fun, and you deserve more of that.
Second, we all could use more practice at this. Trapshooting is a high-speed competitive sport that is a great test of accuracy, reflexes, and consistency. Remember, that clay is going over 40 mph. That’s not very slow.
The trick to trapshooting is not to rush your shot, which is pretty difficult to do.
How Trapshooting Works, What You Can Expect
For those of you looking into the sport for the first time, we know this stuff can be intimidating. So, below, we’ve laid out everything you need to know for your first time with us.
You can find detailed information regarding the following.
- Trapshooting Cost
- Rules: Trap & Skeet Fields
- What To Bring
- What To Wear
What Does Trapshooting Cost?
$9.75 PER ROUND OF 25 TARGETS
How/Process: RULES
We take safety very seriously. There are strict rules in place to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone who participates.
- A maximum of two shells can be loaded at any one time.
- No moving from one shooting position to another with a loaded firearm.
- Only load at the shooting position, DO NOT load your firearm behind other shooters!
- Shot sizes only between 7.5 and 9 are permitted with load sizes no greater than 1-1/8 oz. and 3 drams of powder. This means that slugs and shot shells between 00-7 are NOT permitted on the clay shooting fields. If you do not know what load your shells are or are not familiar with shotshell load information do not load your firearm without approval from a Range Safety Officer.
- Abide by the General Range Rules of the Okeechobee Shooting Sports facility.
If you have any questions about trapshooting, safety, or our facility, please do not hesitate to ask our staff for help. If you are found using incorrect ammunition, you will be asked to leave the range for the day and may not be able to return. Safety first!
What To Bring
Like with any activity at Okeechobee Shooting Sports, we ask that you first stop into the Pro-Shop and get your field assignments. If you are a beginner or want to sharpen your skills, register for the Clays Instruction Class.
Be sure you are ready for the field with the following:
- Shotgun – Most any gauge or type that fires at least two shells and has a stock is acceptable
- Ammunition – Bring at least one box of 25 shells or purchase them at our Pro-Shop
- Shell holder – Pick up a holder to allow for easy movement around the field
- Ear Plugs – MANDATORY
- Eye Protection – MANDATORY
- Electronic Waiver—If you did not fill out the electronic waiver after Jan 1, 2016, you can save time by doing so here.
What To Bring Wear
We definitely recommend checking the weather. We only offer outdoor gun ranges, which means rain, cold, heat, etc. Wear clothes that you will be comfortable being outside in for (potentially) long periods of time. We also highly recommend closed-toed shoes and sunscreen for any of our fairer friends.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Trapshooting
What is trapshooting?
Trapshooting is a target shooting sport that focuses on breaking 4½-inch clay discs. Trap shooting targets move away from the shooter at 42mph to simulate the flight path of a bird during a hunt. Depending on the type of trap shooting you participate in, the target can move in one direction or two targets can move in opposite directions.
What is the difference between trap shooting, skeet shooting, and sporting clays?
The pattern of flight of the clays, mostly. In Trapshooting the clay flies directly away from you at some angle. In Skeet shooting they generally fly across from you from left-right, or right-left. In Sporting clays...there's no telling where that thing is coming from or what angle it's flying at so you better be ready!
Where is trapshooting located?
You'll see all five of our clays fields in the map below just to the left of our logo.
What to wear to trap shooting?
There is no special clothing needed. Just something comfortable and cool. We recommend a hat as well.
Do you sell ammo on-site?
We certainly do!
What does trapshooting cost?
A game of trapshooting costs $9.75 per round of 25 targets.
Grab Your Spot Today!
WHERE TO BEGIN
Upon arrival, go to the Pro-Shop to register and get your field assignments. If you are a beginner or want to sharpen your skills, register for the Clays Instruction Class.
Be sure you are ready for the field with the following:
- Shotgun – Most any gauge or type that fires at least two shells and has a stock is acceptable
- Ammunition – Bring at least one box of 25 shells or purchase them at our Pro-Shop
- Shell holder – Pick up a holder to allow for easy movement around the field
- Ear Plugs – MANDATORY
- Eye Protection – MANDATORY
- Electronic Waiver – If you have not filled out the electronic waiver after Jan, 1, 2016, save time by doing so here.
Reservations not mandatory but ensure we have your spot waiting for you.