Some other shotgunning games - Shotgunner

Guns Magazine, Oct, 2002 by Holt Bodinson

If you're burned out on trap, skeet and conventional sporting clays, don't get depressed. The shot-gunner's mind is very inventive. More shotgun-fun games have been created than most people realize. It might take some searching to find a course or club that offers them, or even a piece of land where one can set up a trap or two, but it's well worth the effort if it means putting the fun back in your shooting.

What makes shotgun gaming so easy is a combination of the gun and the target.

In our ever shrinking world, the short range qualities of shotgun pellets mean we don't need big ranges and lots of space to enjoy our sport. Add to this factor a flying clay pigeon that can be tossed at any height and from any direction and the games you can play are limited solely by your imagination. Here are just a few of the fun games shotgunners have developed.

Quail Walk

The "hunter," fully loaded, strolls down a path while either manual or automatic traps toss "quail" in various directions at different altitudes. Of course, the shooter is unaware of when a "quail" is going to flush. A more casual variation of this game requires a partner with a hand trap and a bag of clays.

Walking behind the gunner, the partner flips clays to the right, left and over the head of the shooter. Just make sure the hand trap operator is proficient. Getting hit from behind with a hand tossed clay is no fun and leads to brief friendships, or worse.

Simulated Live Pigeon Shoot

Have you ever wondered why a certain brand of clay pigeons carries the name "Blue Rock?" Well, the Lincolnshire Blue Rock pigeon raised in Lincolnshire, England was considered the best-of-the-best when it came to live bird targets. Greener once described it:

"as affording the best sport and much the hardest to kill; being small in body, quick in flight at starting, tough in nature, and game to the death -- especially the hens."

Live pigeon shoots are becoming as rare as hens' teeth, but thanks to our English brothers there is a shooting game that resembles the real sport. The simulation consists of a reusable white marker that is attached to the underside of a conventional clay pigeon. Once the clay is released, the shooter must break the clay and drop the marker within the prescribed boundary fence.

Rabbit Run

This little fun run requires a trap house and a trap adjusted to throw conventional clays as close to the ground as possible. The shooter stands on or directly behind the trap house and lets fly at 25 skimming bunnies darting out in all directions.

Red Baron Shoot

I've never seen this one performed, but the object is to down a small, remote controlled airplane. If you've ever seen the erratic, stunt flying a skilled radio controller can perform, you'll appreciate how difficult this shoot can be. The targets are rather expensive, and that's why the "Red Baron" is used as a premier fund raiser.

Follow The Leader

Here's a great elimination game. Shot either on a skeet or trap range, or a combination of both, "Follow the Leader" starts with shooters drawing lots to determine the shooting order. The first gunner specifies the nature of the shot he will attempt -- and the instructions can be pretty creative.

If he makes his chosen shot, the next shooter must attempt the same shot and so on down the line. If a shooter misses, he or she is eliminated. The cycle goes on and on until there is only one shooter left standing.

And, yes, there are more -- it only takes a bit of imagination. So round up your shooting cronies and put some fun and zest back into your shotgunning.

Woods-wise at the age of 9, Holt Bodinson's first shotgunning axperiences involved chasing rabbits with a 12-bore Stevens single barrel. His advice to the beginning shotgunner: "You must have a gun that fits you well."