Adventure Sports

Can Anyone Shoot Clay Pigeons?

Clay Pigeon Shooting can be enjoyed by a wide range of people. There are however limitations on age and gun licensing as described below:

Age limits

Shooters as young as ten can take part in clay shooting, but small children will find a shotgun heavy.  Lighter guns, such as a 20 gauge or smaller are available. It is advisable to start new shooters off with professional tuition. A bad experience with recoil can leave a young shooter with a bruised shoulder and a reluctance to shoot again.

Upper age limits are less important. As long as you can see the target, control a shotgun and be safe to everyone around you (including yourself) you are welcome to give it a go.

Gun Licensing

You need a shotgun licence to own a shotgun or to buy ammunition. You do not need a shotgun licence to shoot IF the shooting ground has permission from the Police under Section 11(6) of the Firearms Act 1968.

This means a non-licence holder can shoot under the supervision of either a qualified instructor or a long term Club member (this must be checked with the shooting ground in advance.)

Young shooters under the age of 17 must be supervised by a full Club member over the age of 21 or a qualified instructor.

At Wedgnock Shooting Ground we encourage all new shooters to have an Safety Introductory Lesson to ensure they are safe and confident. After a single Introductory Lesson most new shooters will have suitable knowledge and skills to come along to our Club Shoots and shoot any of the layouts under the supervision of one of our regular Club members (Wedgnock has a pool of Club members who will happily take new shooters out around the various layouts).

Club Shoots

We do not allow non-certificate holders to be given tuition during a Club Shoots This ensures everyone on the shooting ground is safe and prevents queues at stands.