Cherokee Scout Reservation is excited to introduce one of the first 10 Station Sporting Clays Courses available at a Boy Scout camp. The course is located across Boy Scout Camp Road from the camp entrance and the largest section of three key assets in the George W. Waldrep Shotgun Complex.
This new high adventure program is for Scouts and Venturers at least 13 years old and Unit Leaders. Scouts need to have completed the Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge and Venturers need to have completed the NRA Shotgun course or have the Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge when a scout. The Cherokee Sporting Clays course will be open to Units during the off season under the supervision of the Cherokee Rangemasters.
Our course includes clays thrown as singles, simultaneous or true pairs and report pairs (the second clay launched on the report of the shooter’s gun, hence the name report pair). Targets are thrown at different angles and speeds: sometimes across the shooter’s view (crossers), towards the shooter (in-comers) or away from the shooter (out-goers). The shots are intended to simulate hunting for quail, grouse, pheasant, pigeon, rabbits or other game.
The History of Sporting Clays
Sporting Clays is closer to actual field shooting than any other shotgun sport. The sport began in England in the 1880s when glass balls filled with feathers were used to represent various games, allowing hunters to hone their skills. With the introduction of clay targets, the sport began to spread.
During this time, skeet and trap were growing in the United States, but it took over sixty years for sporting clays to travel across the ocean. The first sporting clay tournament event sponsored in the U.S. was in 1983. By 1985 the United Sporting Clays Association was formed in Houston, Texas. Since then sporting clays has become one of the fastest growing participation sports in the U.S. There are over 21,000 registered shooters with the National Sporting Clays Association.
Course of Fire Differentiation
Clays are different than skeet and trap shooting. Rather than using standardized distances, target angles and target sizes, sporting clays courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants, and even rabbits. Shooters will move from station to station to shoot at a different presentation. Each station represents a different hunting situation & shooting challenge, as each station is in a different setting and has a variety of target presentations. This keeps the sport not only interesting but also challenging.
Participation Today
Each fall our Council hosts a public 100 clays event for local business professionals and corporations. The Sporting Clays Classic facilitates an opportunity for sponsorship, team competition and corporate outing along the 1.5 mile shooting trail. All proceeds benefit Scout programs within the Old North State Council.
To schedule a unit shoot at the Sporting Clays Range, please touch base with the Program Director at the Boy Scout Office at least 4 weeks prior to the date of the shoot. Remember only those Scouts 13 or older with Shotgun Shooting Merit Badge (or NRA Shotgun for Venturers) are allowed to shoot at the Clay’s range.
Shoot budgets may be established for 50, 75 or 100 rounds. The cost covers a facility use fee plus the cost of ammunition and clays. Only Council provided ammunition and clays may be used on the course.
The Sporting Clays Course may be scheduled by Units or non-Scouting groups at other times, by reservation and based upon Rangemaster availability to supervise the event.
