Section 02

Range rules & safety

The posted notice at the stand says it plainly: all guns open, hearing and eye protection required. Staff have final say on the range, always — and nobody has ever been asked to leave for asking a question.

The four that never bend

Treat every gun as if it is loaded.
Never point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to destroy.
Keep your finger off the trigger until you are calling for the target.
Know your target and what lies beyond it.

If something feels wrong, stop

Open the action, put the gun down, and say so. Nobody here will be annoyed with you. A stopped squad costs two minutes; the alternative does not bear thinking about.

House rules

Shotguns only. No rifles, no handguns.
Actions open and empty everywhere except on the stand — it is the posted rule here.
Load a maximum of two shells, and only when it is your turn to shoot.
Muzzles point up or down — never level, never at a person.
Eye and ear protection for everyone on the fields, spectators included.
Stay behind the stand unless you are the one shooting.
No alcohol before or during shooting.
Shooters under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Pick up your hulls before you leave the station.
Dogs on lead, clubhouse side only.
No shooting at wildlife, ever, for any reason.

Guns & ammunition

Bring your own shotgun. Ammunition is sold at the clubhouse. What comes out of the barrel matters more than what it comes out of.

Ammunition rules

Shot size no larger than #7½.
No more than 1⅛ oz of shot per shell.
Target loads only — no slugs, no buckshot, no magnum field loads.
Ask first before bringing steel or other non-toxic shot.
Ammunition is sold at the clubhouse if you would rather not haul your own.

Guns

Any shotgun in safe working order — over/under, semi-auto, pump, side-by-side.
12, 20, 28 gauge and .410 all welcome.
Guns travel to and from the car cased or with the action open and empty.
No modifications, no shortened barrels below legal length.
If a gun malfunctions, keep it pointed downrange and call for staff.

Range commands

Five words do almost all the talking on a clay range. Knowing them makes your first round far less bewildering.

What you will hear on the station
Call	What it means
Pull	The shooter is mounted and ready; the trapper releases the target.
Mark	Same as pull, used more on the trap stand. Interchangeable here.
No bird	The target was broken on launch, thrown wrong, or two came out. It does not count — you get it again.
Lost	The target was thrown fairly and you missed it. Happens to everyone, constantly.
Hold / Cease fire	Stop immediately. Unload, open the action, step back from the stand and wait for staff.

Waivers, age & ID

Check in at the clubhouse before you head out to a stand.

Shooters under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who stays on the stand with them.

Not sure about something?

Rules differ from one range to the next. If you are unsure whether something is allowed — a particular load, a young shooter's first time, a large group — call (205) 821-4879 before you drive out. Two minutes on the phone beats finding out at the stand.