Trap

Skeet

5 Stand

NEW Range

SHOTGUN – SAFETY AND ETIQUETTE

Remember smaller size shotgun pellets can travel up to or beyond 300 yards and clay pigeons can travel up to 100 yards.

If you see a person or other potential "non target" down range DO NOT SHOOT.

Four important rules of firearm safety

These principles, sometimes referred to as the "four main rules of gun safety," apply to shotguns and all other firearms:

§ Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. This is the most important rule. Even if you believe the gun is unloaded, handle it with the same caution as if it were ready to fire. Do not assume otherwise.

§ Always point the muzzle in a safe direction. A safe direction is one where an accidental discharge will not cause injury or damage. Never point a gun at yourself, another person, or anything you do not intend to shoot.

§ Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target. Your finger should remain outside the trigger guard, resting on the frame of the gun, until you have made the decision to shoot.

§ Be sure of your target and what is beyond it. Before shooting, identify your target clearly and be certain of the area behind it. A shotgun's pellets can travel a great distance and can cause unintended harm.

Specific shotgun safety measures

In addition to the core rules, these practices are especially important for shotgun handling:

§ Know and understand your shotgun's "safety." mechanism. While modern shotguns have safety mechanisms, you should never rely on them as a substitute for safe gun handling. Understand the specific location and function of your shotgun's safety, as designs vary.

§ Use the correct ammunition. Ensure you are using the correct gauge and type of ammunition for your shotgun. Using the wrong shells can damage the gun and cause serious injury.

§ Unload before cleaning or transporting. A shotgun should always be completely unloaded before you leave the firing line, begin to clean it or put it away for transport. Never transport a loaded firearm.

§ Wear eye and ear protection. Shotguns are loud, and shooting them can damage your hearing. Wear appropriate hearing protection and safety glasses to protect yourself from hot gas, debris, and hearing loss. If shooting or observing shooter this is a must.

§ Unload when traversing obstacles. When crossing the trap, skeet, or 5 stand courses or walking on terrain to load machines always unload your shotgun first. Carry the gun in a manner that the muzzle is always pointing in a safe direction.

§ Store firearms and ammunition separately. Store shotguns securely and out of the reach of unauthorized persons. For homes with children, this means using a locking device and storing ammunition in a separate, secure location.

§ Avoid alcohol and drugs. Never consume alcohol or drugs before or while handling a shotgun. Any substance that impairs your judgment or physical function is a risk.

Trap / Skeet / 5 stand etiquette

1) When approaching the firing line have your gun open

2) Don’t load your gun until on the firing line.

3) If shooting competition load only one shell at a time.

4) Do not put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

5) Keep your gun pointed down range. Not up, not down, not on your foot

6) Do not shoot other shooters birds if they miss – It is a distraction for that shooter and others. A distraction is a safety issue. Its bad form as they may become stressed that you will shoot at their next shot, it is the shooters bird not yours.

7) All non shooters should stand at the back or the course not in the course or behind a shooter – its distracting to shooters and distractions are safety issues .

8) The word to release a bird is pull, not any other goofy word. Again its distracting.

9) Do not leave the area until the round is complete and all shooters are done. It is a safety issue for people to be moving in active shooting area.

10) Make sure your gun is empty and open before you leave the course.

11) Please reserve enough time to clean up and shut down the equipment properly. When finished shooting you should

a) Discharge and Power off the machine (The toggles you turned on, DO NOT STAND ON FRONT OF THE MACHINE WHEN DOING THIS)

b) Unplug both the pump and power strip. Leaving the pump running will wear it out. Unplugging the power strip help eliminate power surges.

b) While powered off ,fill the machine carousel with birds

c) Please return machine settings where you found them.

d) Sign in and Pay for the number of rounds you have shot, $4/25 members $5/ 25 non members.

e) Sweep out any debris from the house.

f) Take all cardboard across the street to the blue recycle dumpster.

g) Put all speakers facing down, and replace the manual switch into its box.

VOLUNTEERS

We are looking always looking for volunteer maintenance and improvement people for each shotgun range area. If you are willing to lead or participate in a group please reach out to LASCshotgun@gmail.com

The Shotgun ranges are open "member" ranges meaning while a group may be on the calendar using the range you are welcome to join in unless the word "reserved" is used on the calendar. You have as much right to use the ranges anyone else, not more. If a range is marked "reserved" it is generally for maintenance or training and not for open use.

The cost of shooting DOES NOT include maintenance or updating of the ranges or equipment. Your $4 / 25 birds only covers the cost of the birds.

Costs - Each 25 birds you shoot will cost you $4 for members $5 for non-members (as of 7-10-25) there are money bags in the Bird houses that you put your money into, on the honor system.

While the funding for EQUIPMENT mostly comes from the LASC general fund, LASC is a volunteer organization and we would like most LABOR is to be done by us (You and me) If there is no volunteer labor our range will suffer.

Report any malfunctions, repairs, or range issues to either LASCshotgun@gmail.com or any executive board member

Machine set up / breakdown training.

If you have wanted to shoot trap or skeet but hesitate because you are uncertain how to safely set up and breakdown the machines we are beginning a monthly machine training. Look at the calendar below and see what time and date you can attend. ( https://sites.google.com/view/lasc-shotgun/home) I intend to try to do one of these trainings the Saturday mornings a week after the new member orientation (Satutday8-11 am.)

The plan is to setup - shoot for a while - and then break down the machines - Total time should be less than 3 hours most of the time will be spent shooting. Please bring, eye/ ear protection, your gun, some ammo (2-4- boxes) and some money (birds are 4 dollars($5 for guests) per box of shells ,25)

Shotgun range use

This web site is designed for the beginner in shotgun shooting sports. It does not train you on your gun or gun safety it is merely to orient people with range operation to aid in a safe and fun experience.

Each shotgun shooting sport area has locks on the “houses” limiting access to those that have been trained by an approved training sponsor or an executive board member as they are responsible for you.

To get the lock combos the process would be as follows; Receive your training either from a group training (held monthly), from qualified training sponsor (listed on this site) , or an executive board member (Listed on the LASC website. Then ask your sponsor to contact the shotgun chair that you have been approved. You will put on a list with all those that are approved. The reason you want to be on this list is that when the locks are changed (annually) you will be notified of the new code by your email on file. If you have not been approved, please do not enter the houses and traverse with extreme caution around in the shotgun areas as they are dangerous areas .Youth (<18) are not member and must be attended by and are the responsibility of an attending member

If you are dissatisfied with these safety measures please contact an executive board member for their approval

There are essential 4 shotgun shooting sports (games) available at the LASC Shotgun ranges.

Trap where a clay pigeon (bird) and usually 1 bird at a time, is thrown away from the shooter. This is probably the easiest game to set up and break down and game to learn. Time commitment 100 birds 1-2 hours
Skeet where 2 birds are thrown from opposite directions. Still easy to set up and break down but a little harder than trap to shoot. Time commitment 100 birds 1-2 hours
5 stand where one or two birds are thrown from various directions. Lengthy set up of 21 machines likely requires several times of set up and breakdown to learn. Various directions of thrown birds adds even more difficulty. I recommend if shooting this expect a full morning or afternoon time commitment.

There are (or will be ) step by step write ups and YouTube videos on how to set up and break down each range on this website. If there is an issue please report it to the shotgun chair.

LASC member business

LASC has many members that are business owners in our community. If you are THE OWNER of a business and ARE A LASC MEMBER and would like to share your business information with other members please let me know and we can add you name and contact information to this page. LASCshotgun@gmail.com