Trap shooting is an incredibly popular sport, particularly for hunters looking to practice before the start of a big season or for new firearm enthusiasts looking to get some shooting time in with moving targets instead of stationary bullseyes.
But trap shooting can be confusing and even frustrating if you don’t know where to start. That’s what this guide is for.
Why Is Trap Shooting Great?
Trap shooting is an excellent beginner’s shooting activity, particularly compared to other types of target shooting, like skeet or sporting clay shooting.
That’s because trap shooting targets fly away from you at relatively predictable angles, making them easier to hit if you don’t have a lot of shooting experience.
Furthermore, as you gain experience and begin hitting your targets more consistently, you’ll still have lots of room to improve.
Trap shooting competitions often have expert marksman hitting 200 targets or more in a row without a single miss, teaching you consistency along with initial accuracy
Types of Shotguns to Use

There are three main types of shotguns you might use for trap shooting.
- Pump-action shotguns are the best for trap shooting and are more often used for hunting. But these are still quite easy firearms to use overall.
- Semiautomatic shotguns are the preferred type for consistent trap shooting. These weapons are easy to keep on your shoulder if you have to shoot multiple trap targets in a single session or moment. However, semi-auto shotguns take more effort to unload compared to pump-action shotguns.
- Over and under shotguns are an alternative choice. When using these, just be sure to drop a shell in your barrel only when you’re about to yell, “Pull!”
How to Hit a Trap Bird
To shoot a trap bird, most ranges will have you stand behind the “trap house” (the apparatus that launches the clay trap birds) and shout, “Pull!” when you’re ready for a target to launch.
Your shotgun should already be up and at your shoulder by the time you yell for the bird to be released.
The basic technique goes like this:
- Watch the bird as it flies and “read” the angle that it seems to be holding. Remember that trap houses can launch birds in several angles to provide complexity and a challenge.
- If the bird flies in a straightaway pattern, try to shoot the bottom edge of the target.
- If the bird is quartering or taking a shorter flight, try to shoot the leading edge of the target.
- And if the bird is taking a hard angle, aim about a foot ahead of its current flight position to have the best chance of success
Regardless of the exact flight pattern, you’ll always want to try to shoot a trap bird as it’s rising or leveling off.
Trap Shooting Etiquette

You’ll get better at the technical skill of trap shooting as you practice.
But beyond these mechanical skills, you should also keep trap shooting etiquette in mind, particularly if you want to participate in a competition at some point.
Here are some good etiquette pointers to remember:
- Always think about the shooter on your left – try not to make a bunch of noise with your gun action when they are about to shoot so you don’t break their concentration.
- Use a shell catcher if you have a semiautomatic gun so your shells don’t interfere with the person to your right
- Similarly, be gentle when ejecting an empty shell from a pump-action shotgun. This prevents the shell from hitting someone next to you
- Always keep your gun visibly clear and unloaded when you aren’t taking a shot.
- Always use eye and ear protection.
Remembering all these tips will go a long way toward helping you enjoy your time trap shooting.
What are your other tips for beginners who want to try trap shooting? Kindly share them in the comments section below
Up Next:
- A 5 Step Shooting Training Regimen To Become A Better Shooter
- 3 DIY Shooting Targets You Can Make At Home
- First-Timer? 5 Shooting Range Safety Tips
Hi,
Signing up to see what I can learn from the association.
Thanks, Kelly
I’m confused already…
The opening lines in “Types of Shotguns to use” are:
“Pump-action shotguns are the best for trap shooting and are more often used for hunting.”
“Semiautomatic shotguns are the preferred type for consistent trap shooting.”
And your comment about Over/Under shotguns seems a bit disparaging even though O/U shotguns are probably the most common trapshooting tool in the realm of shooters.
In addition, Tips for hitting trap birds (i.e. clays) mentions that while shooting straight away flyers the shooter should aim for the bottom edge of the bird. Why would you suggest this as straight away birds ideally are still climbing as you pull the trigger. Would you not aim for the top or leading edge to keep from shooting under the bird?
I am no trapshooting expert or even a practicing shotgunner, but I get the feeling that whoever (or is it whomever?) wrote this tidbit doesn’t know their subject very well.
mark
When i first started shooting trap the only shotgun i had was model 1100 semi auto. This worked very well after i purchased a small clip that attracted to the ejection port which stopped the empty shell from hitting the shooter to my right. I have also used a pump action but what the article doesn’t tell you is that a pump has a hard recoil. And after 3 or 4 hundred rounds your shoulder gets sore. I also have 2 overunder shotguns. One 12 gauge, that i had backbored and ported which is another trick to reduce recoil. And a nice little 20 gauge that you could shoot all day long.
The one that wasn’t mentioned is the single shot. Many of the people i shot with had this type. It was specifically designed to shoot trap andyou can spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on them.
Happy shooting if you ever decide to try it.
Needed to draft you this little observation to be able to thank you over again with the precious pointers you’ve discussed above. It has been wonderfully open-handed of you to allow unhampered all a few people would’ve advertised as an electronic book to make some profit for themselves, most importantly seeing that you might well have done it in the event you desired. These creative ideas also worked to become easy way to fully grasp other people online have the same dreams much like my personal own to figure out very much more when it comes to this issue. I’m certain there are millions of more pleasurable moments in the future for people who look into your website.
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your website? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from some of the information you present here. Please let me know if this okay with you. Thank you!
Thank you for taking turns that excellent subject matter on your internet site. I came across it on the search engines. I will check back again whenever you post extra aricles.
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I love seeing websites that understand the value of providing a quality resource for free. It?s the old what goes around comes around routine. Did you acquired lots of links and I see lots of trackbacks??
This really answered my problem, thank you!
It?s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you?re talking about! Thanks
Would you be interested in exchanging links?
An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
There is noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
I just got out of nap and I am already reading your articles. This signifies something! Very useful info. Thank you!
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I?d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
I simply want to say I am beginner to weblog and actually savored you’re website. Very likely I’m want to bookmark your website . You definitely come with good posts. Thanks a lot for revealing your blog site.
I’ll be back as soon as once more within the long run to examine out your blogposts down the road. Thanks!
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if everyone else experiencing issues with your blog.
It appears like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen.
Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me
know if this is happening to them too? This may be
a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen previously.
Thanks
Most likely it’s great on sundays to go on for shopping and parents meal.
[url=https://buyingcialisonline.quest/]cialis soft[/url]
[url=http://cialisbestmedicinepharmacy.monster/]buy cialis canada paypal[/url]
[url=https://onlineviagratabssale.monster/]viagra cost usa[/url] [url=https://cheapcialis20prescription.monster/]buy cialis online in india[/url] [url=https://cheapcialispillswithoutprescription.monster/]generic cialis online paypal[/url] [url=https://genericcialistabletforsaleonline.quest/]cialis 2.5[/url] [url=https://onlineviagra50tabs.quest/]buy female viagra pills uk[/url] [url=https://genericcialistabsnoprescription.monster/]buy generic cialis online from india[/url] [url=https://cialisbestpillsonlinedrugstore.quest/]generic cialis canada price[/url] [url=https://cialisbestpillonlinepharmacy.monster/]tadalafil 100mg best price[/url] [url=https://genericcialistabletforsaleonline.monster/]can you buy cialis from canada[/url] [url=https://bestcialis20mgprescription.monster/]cialis 5mg best price australia[/url]
[url=http://cialisgenerictabsdrugstore.quest/]buy cialis canada review[/url]
[url=https://cialischeappillsonlinedrugstore.quest/]canadian cialis 10mg[/url]
[url=http://acyclovir.quest/]acyclovir tablet[/url]
[url=http://prozacfluoxetine.online/]fluoxetine 200 mg[/url]
[url=http://finasteride.monster/]best generic finasteride brand[/url]
[url=http://augmentin.monster/]augmentin 500 125 mg[/url]
[url=http://sildenafilprotabs.com/]sildenafil 100mg gel[/url]
[url=http://doxycycline.quest/]doxycycline for sale online[/url]
[url=http://clomid.quest/]clomid for sale[/url]
[url=https://sildenafilbcitrate.com/]best price for sildenafil 20 mg[/url]
[url=http://synthroid.quest/]purchase synthroid online[/url]
[url=http://viagratobuy.com/]rx pharmacy viagra[/url]
[url=http://tadalafildpills.com/]buy tadalafil in usa[/url]
[url=http://seroquel.monster/]seroquel 800 mg pill[/url]
[url=https://chloroquine.live/]chloroquinum[/url] [url=https://buyviagracitrate.com/]viagra cost canada[/url] [url=https://modafinilpills.online/]buy provigil cheap[/url] [url=https://augmentin.monster/]cost of augmentin 875[/url] [url=https://furosemide.monster/]furosemide cream[/url] [url=https://sildenafilci.com/]sildenafil online purchase in india[/url] [url=https://tadalafilxgeneric.com/]tadalafil 10mg buy[/url] [url=https://gabapentin.live/]drug gabapentin 100mg[/url] [url=https://orderingcialisonline.com/]best price cialis 20mg[/url] [url=https://ivermectinqtab.com/]ivermectin over the counter[/url]
[url=http://emviagra.com/]cheap viagra tablets uk[/url]
[url=http://cialisdrb.com/]cialis 25 mg price[/url]
[url=https://prozacfluoxetine.online/]cost of prozac[/url] [url=https://antabuse.live/]where can you buy antabuse[/url] [url=https://seroquel.monster/]seroquel 1200 mg[/url] [url=https://sildenafilprotabs.com/]sildenafil generic for sale[/url] [url=https://chloroquine.live/]chlorochin[/url] [url=https://finasteride.monster/]how to get finasteride[/url] [url=https://buyduloxetine.com/]cymbalta without a prescription[/url] [url=https://buyzestoretic.com/]zestoretic 20 mg[/url] [url=https://viagratobuy.com/]buy viagra online in south africa[/url] [url=https://viagradforce.com/]cost of viagra in canada[/url]
[url=http://augmentin.monster/]augmentin 1000 mg tablet price[/url]
[url=http://synthroid.quest/]where can i buy synthroid online[/url]
[url=http://cialisdrb.com/]cialis capsule[/url]
[url=http://modafinilpills.online/]buy modafinil europe[/url]
[url=http://viag.quest/]best cheap viagra pills[/url]
[url=http://buygenericcialionline.quest/]price of cialis 20mg tablets[/url]
[url=http://buycialispillsprescription.monster/]cialis buy cheap[/url]
[url=http://cialitablet.quest/]daily cialis canadian pharmacy[/url]
[url=https://viagronline.quest/]viagra online mexico[/url]
[url=http://viagacanada.quest/]50mg viagra[/url]
[url=https://buyviagra150price.monster/]buy female viagra pills uk[/url]
[url=http://viaga50.quest/]generic for viagra[/url]
[url=https://cialprescription.quest/]can i buy cialis over the counter in canada[/url]
[url=http://viagraonlinedrugstore.monster/]viagra pills cheap[/url]
[url=http://viagacanada.quest/]generic viagra online mexico[/url]
[url=https://genericpropecia.quest/]propecia price uk[/url] [url=https://valtrex.today/]valtrex 500mg price[/url] [url=https://glucophage.live/]glucophage xr[/url] [url=https://sertraline.online/]order zoloft online 100mg[/url] [url=https://zestoretic.today/]zestoretic 20 mg[/url] [url=https://ivermectinytabs.online/]how to get ivermectin[/url] [url=https://cafergot.quest/]buy cafergot[/url] [url=https://indocin.monster/]indocin online[/url] [url=https://acyclovir.today/]zovirax nz[/url] [url=https://diflucan.today/]where can i buy diflucan without prescription[/url]
[url=https://ivermectinstab.com/]ivermectin lotion[/url]
[url=http://metforminglucophage.com/]best price online metformin[/url]
[url=https://ivermectingtab.com/]ivermectin rx[/url]
[url=http://avana.monster/]super avana coupon[/url]
[url=https://molnupiravir.us.com/]molnupiravir vendita online[/url] [url=https://plavix.online/]clopidogrel medication[/url] [url=https://avana.monster/]avana 50[/url] [url=https://onlinepharmacy.monster/]prescription free canadian pharmacy[/url] [url=https://baclofen.live/]baclofen cheap[/url] [url=https://cymbaltamedication.quest/]cymbalta brand name coupon[/url] [url=https://strattera.live/]strattera capsules[/url] [url=https://elimite.monster/]can i buy elimite over the counter[/url] [url=https://cephalexin.live/]cephalexin canadian pharmacy[/url] [url=https://valacyclovir.quest/]valtrex price uk[/url]
[url=http://ivermectinstab.com/]ivermectin 18mg[/url]
[url=http://ivermectinhtabs.online/]ivermectin 1 topical cream[/url]
[url=https://bactrim.live/]bactrim order online[/url]
[url=https://ivermectinntab.com/]ivermectin generic[/url] [url=https://ivermectinytabs.online/]stromectol how much it cost[/url] [url=https://ivermectinitab.com/]cost of stromectol[/url] [url=https://benicar.today/]benicar 10 mg cost[/url] [url=https://finasteride.today/]buy finasteride[/url] [url=https://metforminglucophage.com/]where i can buy metformin without a prescription drugs[/url] [url=https://glucophage.quest/]buy glucophage[/url] [url=https://amoxicillin.monster/]where to buy amoxicillin 500 mg without prescription[/url] [url=https://biaxin.quest/]biaxin[/url] [url=https://provigilgeneric.world/]purchase provigil[/url]
[url=https://silenafilcitrate.quest/]how much is sildenafil 100mg[/url]
[url=https://glucophage.live/]cheap glucophage[/url]
[url=https://tadalafi.quest/]tadalafil tablets 20 mg cost[/url] [url=https://viarga.quest/]online viagra prescription usa[/url] [url=https://cial20.quest/]tadalafil soft 20 mg[/url] [url=https://calis5.quest/]40 mg cialis generic[/url] [url=https://viarasildenaflcitrate.quest/]how to get viagra in mexico[/url] [url=https://tadalaficiali.quest/]tadalafil prices[/url] [url=https://viatabs.quest/]viagra 200mg tablet[/url] [url=https://viagr.quest/]buy viagra from mexico[/url] [url=https://viaga.quest/]20 mg viagra daily[/url] [url=https://generiscildenafil.quest/]generic sildenafil canada[/url]
[url=https://ivermectinjtab.online/]ivermectin tablets order[/url]
[url=https://tadalafilctabs.com/]generic tadalafil 40 mg[/url] [url=https://sildenafilthree.com/]120 mg sildenafil online[/url] [url=https://ivermectinotab.com/]stromectol generic[/url] [url=https://hydroxychloroquine.online/]quineprox 75[/url] [url=https://disulfiram.today/]disulfiram 500 mg tablets online[/url]
[url=https://cialiseight.com/]generic cialis online prescription[/url]
[url=https://advair.monster/]pharmacy best price advair canada[/url]
[url=https://sildenafilcitrateonlinesale.com/]buy sildenafil in usa[/url]
[url=https://tadalafilbuyr.com/]tadalafil generic sale buy[/url]
[url=https://buypriligy.online/]priligy uk price[/url]
[url=http://hydroxychloroquine.online/]hydroxychloroquine 800mg[/url]
[url=https://prednisone.live/]prednisone 2018[/url]
[url=https://abilify.live/]abilify 2.5 mg[/url]
[url=http://viagralu.com/]viagra prescription coupon[/url]
[url=http://buyfluoxetine.online/]fluoxetine for sale sale no prescription[/url]
[url=https://malegra.quest/]malegra 100 for sale[/url]
[url=https://seroquel.live/]purchase seroquel[/url] [url=https://tadalafilvbuy.com/]2.5 mg daily tadalafil[/url] [url=https://buynolvadex.quest/]how to get nolvadex[/url] [url=https://tadalafilvtabs.com/]buy tadalafil 10mg india[/url] [url=https://ecsildenafil.com/]sildenafil generic[/url] [url=https://sildenafilcitrateonlinesale.com/]sildenafil online uk[/url] [url=https://buystrattera.quest/]strattera over the counter[/url] [url=https://atarax.monster/]atarax tablet medication[/url] [url=https://advair.monster/]advair diskus in mexico[/url] [url=https://mysildenafilshop.com/]sildenafil online coupon[/url]
[url=https://cialistopmed.com/]order cialis 10mg[/url]
[url=https://sildenafilthree.com/]sildenafil 25 mg online[/url]
[url=https://chloroquine.today/]chloroquine phosphate generic[/url]
[url=http://abilify.live/]where can i buy abilify cheap[/url]
[url=https://cialisgenericbuy.com/]cialis tablets for sale australia[/url]
[url=https://cialisfk.com/]cialis for sale cheap[/url]
[url=http://effexor.live/]effexor price canada[/url]
[url=https://cleocin.monster/]clindamycin 300mg cap cost[/url]
[url=http://tadalafilmedstore.com/]tadalafil online rx[/url] [url=http://augmentin.online/]augmentin online[/url] [url=http://cialisgenericbuy.com/]cialis purchase[/url] [url=http://ivermectinptab.com/]ivermectin 3mg for lice[/url] [url=http://sildenafilbh.com/]sildenafil gel[/url] [url=http://buymodafinil.quest/]provigil uk prescription[/url] [url=http://buyseroquel.quest/]seroquel 150 xr[/url] [url=http://ivermectinztabs.online/]stromectol cost[/url] [url=http://lopressor.online/]lopressor[/url] [url=http://buyzithromax.quest/]azithromycin capsules 250mg[/url]
[url=http://zithromax.live/]azithromycin 500 tablet price[/url]
[url=http://genericviagramedication.com/]buy online viagra in usa[/url]
[url=https://tadalafilpillsbuy.com/]tadalafil 20mg coupon[/url]
[url=http://ivermectinxtabs.com/]ivermectin brand[/url] [url=http://doxycycline.today/]where to buy doxycycline[/url] [url=http://effexor.live/]effexor 225 mg[/url] [url=http://priligy.today/]where can i buy priligy in usa[/url] [url=http://tamoxifen.monster/]tamoxifen 50 mg[/url] [url=http://disulfirampill.quest/]disulfiram canada[/url] [url=http://cialisgenericbuy.com/]cialis 5mg best price[/url] [url=http://cialispharmsale.com/]buy brand name cialis[/url] [url=http://arimidex.online/]buy arimidex online india[/url] [url=http://tadalafilpillsbuy.com/]tadalafil generic price in india[/url]
[url=https://ciprofloxacin.quest/]cipro 500mg[/url]
[url=https://sildenafilgmx.com/]sildenafil 20 mg online pharmacy[/url]
[url=https://buyeffexor.online/]effexor xr 150 mg[/url]
[url=https://cheaptadalafilsale.com/]tadalafil uk online[/url]