Sporting Clays!

History:

Sporting Clays originated in the 1920’s in Great Britain for the purpose of teaching wing shooting skills to wealthy sportsmen.  In the last seventy years, it has expanded worldwide and is recognized as not only a system for teaching shooting skills, but also as a tournament sport and one of the major recreational target shooting sports.  Participation in sporting clays tournaments is growing faster than any other competitive shooting sport in America.

About Our Clays Course:

Fowler Farms 10 Station Sporting Clays Course is laid out in natural surroundings, including woods and fields.  It is necessary to cross three small streams and you have the opportunity to see different wildlife, including rabbits, groundhogs, turkey, quail, pheasant, and deer.

Participants move from one station to another at their own speed.  Each station has two automatic Promatic traps, which eliminates the need for trappers.  Single, report pairs, and true pairs are launched from each station.  Each station presents shooters with a different type of bird flight.  Stations are spaced so that one station cannot be viewed from another.  In designing the course, Andy Perkins’ first concern was safety.

A wobble trap is also available for shooting without walking the ten-station course.  It is similar to trap shooting.  The clays are thrown in different directions and at different elevations.  For beginning shooters the wobble trap is set at a certain angle and elevation.  Boy Scouts use this machine with their Scout Leaders supervision.  A Ranger is also used to transport people who are unable to walk the course.  The course is golf cart accessible. We have a golf cart to rent at $15.

Any shotgun gauge up to 12 may be used.  Using smaller than a 12 gauge entails a loss of hitting power however 20 gauge guns are used for their weight and reduced recoil.  Just about any shotgun with a skeet or modified choke will do.  Many shooters change chokes after looking at a particular target.  Target loads are usually #7 ½ or #8. 

You will probably feel intimidated by the prospect of trying this sport, but you will find you will be welcomed and can shoot alone if you wish.  Practicing safe gun handling is our primary concern.  Even though clay target shooting is a game, it is a game played with deadly weapons.  There is absolutely no room for unsafe gun handling.  Your gun will be loaded only when it is your turn to shoot.  Never will more than two shells be loaded into your gun. Safety instructions will be given before you leave the office.
 
Safety glasses and ear protection is provided at no charge.  It is recommended that you use your own gun and safety glasses.  It will take approximately 1 1/2 hours or longer to shoot the course.  Time depends on experience and number in the group.

Competing with friends or co-workers makes the game more interesting and fun.  The groom and his groomsmen have found this experience to be stress relieving.  Corporates enjoy the atmosphere and competition away from work.

Provisions:

You may want to bring a picnic lunch or eat a hamburger or cheeseburger at the local restaurant.  Cold drinks and other snacks are available. Fowler Farms plans two fun shoots each year usually in May and September.  Trophies and drawing for prizes concludes a day of fun and food.  A BBQ meal is provided with potatoes, baked beans, Cole slaw, bun, dessert, and beverage. 

Fowler Farms Sporting Clays and Game Preserve opened in July 2004, and is located in the Spring Creek Community of Madison County, Scenic Highway NC 209. We are 10 miles South of Hot Springs, 22 miles North of Interstate 40- Exit 24, 30 miles from Patton Avenue in Asheville and 37 miles from Weaverville NC 19-23 (Future I-26) to NC 25-70 and then NC 209 South.