Great fun with clay pigeon shooting

Great fun with clay pigeon shooting

Marksman’s Nest is gearing up to welcome small groups to its fun activity of clay pigeon shooting this summer. Why not have a birthday celebration with a difference? Or maybe buy someone a Christmas voucher for a clay pigeon shooting session?

Clay pigeon shooting, also known as clay target shooting, is a shooting sport involving shooting a firearm at special flying targets known as clay pigeons, or clay targets.

The term ‘clay pigeon shooting’ relates to a time long ago when, horror of horrors, live pigeon competitions were held. Fortunately, such competitions were declared illegal in the UK in 1921. But today a target may still be called a ‘bird’, a hit is a ‘kill’, a missed target is referred to as ‘bird away’; and the projectile machine is called a ‘trap’.

Popular throughout the world, clay pigeon shooting allows you to improve your accuracy and display your marksmanship skills.

So, here you’ll learn about safety, equipment, shotguns and how to hit a few clays along the way. Unlike rifle shooting which is aiming a static gun at a static target, shotgun shooting requires movement and therefore the gun should point to the target. Simply compare this to tennis for instance. Not for one second would you take your eye off the ball, because as soon as you take your eye off the ball, your brain can no longer calculate its speed and line of travel. These are key elements to sending the correct signals to your body to connect with the ball.

In tennis, you keep your eye on the ball and hit it without looking down at the racket subconsciously. This should also prevail when you’re shooting a clay target with a shotgun. Don’t look at your gun’s rib or bead at all.

Lock your eyes onto only the clay from the moment you pick it up to the moment it breaks into tiny pieces. Always the target, never the gun.

Then of course you have to ensure that your gun is pointing where your eyes are looking. It’s also important to use your dominant eye to aim. And the next thing is gun fit. Marksman’s Nest chief ranger Geoffrey Coetzee will brief you on this and ensure that your gun is the correct fit.

Finally, there’s gun mount. Consistency is key because you must mount the gun in the same place every time and that requires muscle memory. To acquire that muscle memory, you must practise your mount. Again, Geoffrey will guide you through this exercise.

And now, all that’s necessary is for you to book your clay pigeon shooting session by sending a WhatsApp message to 082 7172197. See you on the range!

Visit a shooting range this summer

Visit a shooting range this summer

Visit a shooting range this summer for a whole lotta fun. Skip the throngs in malls and the crowds on beaches for an entertaining day out.

Apart from a range being the best and safest way to practice shooting skills, you’ll find that it offers the opportunity to bond with family and/or friends.

In this safe, controlled environment, free from external interference, you can target shoot, do clay pigeon shooting, or learn the ropes of self-defence.

Target shooting

Look no further than target shooting for an exciting day out. Apart from standing you in good stead for self-defence, it’s not too demanding physically and it’s a good outlet to blow off steam.

Other beneficial spin-offs are: it improves concentration and it develops a sense of discipline. Turns out one thing leads to another. Which is why the intense concentration required for target shooting also exercises your mind.

Clay pigeon shooting

Newcomers to the amazing world of clay pigeon shooting are bound to be bowled over by this sport. It’s without a doubt one of the most-loved target-shooting hobbies in the world.

Not only will you be able to improve your accuracy, but you can also show off your marksmanship skills without actually hunting live birds.

Oh, and clay pigeon shooting is also a good team-building option.

Some pointers for newbies are: Use your dominant eye; learn and maintain an excellent shooting stance (our instructors will help you); aim ahead of your target; swing the barrel of your shotgun around in an arc to follow the target after it’s launched; and follow-through with your arc the same way a professional golfer would follow through with their swing.

Who knows? You might soon become an ace in clay pigeon shooting!

See you soon

So instead of joining the hordes on beaches, visit a shooting range this summer. Marksman’s Nest looks forward to welcoming you and your guests.

 

The importance of shooting ranges

The importance of shooting ranges

The importance of shooting ranges is far-reaching – not only for gun owners, but for those considering owning a gun or practising sport-shooting. Add to this self-defence development, family outings and gun experiences, and you pretty much get an all-round day of pleasure.

According to Marksman’s Nest chief ranger Geoffrey Coetzee, shooting ranges are a feeding source for gun owners, law enforcers, as well as the safety and security of communities all over the world.

“Five million gun owners in South Africa need to understand that it isn’t good enough to simply own a gun, you have to develop shooting skills and continue practising those skills. Otherwise it would be akin to a runner who owns a good pair of trainers, but never practises running,” he said.

Marksman’s Nest shooting range near Malmesbury definitely ranks right up there with the top ranges in South Africa. First up, its safety standards are high – no negotiation on this front. Secondly, it has top-class instructors with years of experience in both the military and as private instructors. Thirdly, it makes sure everyone has fun while learning, training, developing or teambuilding.

It’s a joy

You have to experience the art of shooting to realise how enjoyable it can be. Whether target shooting, clay pigeon shooting, doing a shooting development course or the serious business of learning handgun self-defence, it’s always exciting.

Also, it’s a family sport that every family member can enjoy together. And with all the high-tech gadgets available today, even the physically disabled would have a grand time learning and practising the sport of shooting. However, if individual sport is more your style, it’s that too. You can practise your marksmanship abilities on your own, lost in your own thoughts, enjoying me-time.

A good all-over work-out

The importance of shooting ranges also extends to the physical. Because if you thought shooting was sedentary, think again. Boy, does it give you a good work-out! You build strength, stamina, hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills like very few sports can match. Your arm strength and physical balance alone will soar by leaps and bounds.

Not only that, but you develop mental discipline bar none with sharpened concentration and problem-solving skills to think outside the box.

Confidence

You certainly can’t overlook the fact that shooting builds courage and confidence. Plus you learn invaluable lessons in responsibility.

Most importantly, whether you visit the range to train, build skills or just to have fun, it’ll be a major stress-busting day. And that’s something we all need – a break from the rat race.

Geoffrey concluded, “There’s no time to put a seatbelt on before the crash; therefore, don’t make shooting ranges a last resort.”

On that note, you’ll agree that the importance of shooting ranges is invaluable. Find a shooting range in your area and join up.

Recreational shooting is fun

Recreational shooting is fun

You might have guessed that recreational shooting is fun – a bunch of fun in fact. Even as a new hobbyist, you’ll find there are activities to suit every taste. This is apart from the valuable marksmanship practice you’ll get at the range.

Safe & friendly environment

Marksman’s Nest doesn’t only offer a super-safe environment, but the atmosphere is decidedly convivial. So much so, that our members and visitors become part of the family. You’ll find meeting and bonding with fellow firearm owners a truly uplifting experience. Many firearm owners will happily share tips and advice. Not to mention regaling all and sundry with stories about their triumphs and failures.

Clay pigeon shooting

If for instance you find that clay pigeon shooting is your activity of choice, it will provide hours of pleasure, plus valuable lessons. Here you’d be able to sharpen skills and develop muscle memory — all of which will help you to become a well-rounded shooter.

3- or 4-Gun shooting events

Another practical, yet highly entertaining recreational shooting event is 3- or 4-gun shooting events. As the name suggests, 3-gun shooting consists of three shooting events that include pistol, shotgun and rifle. And 4-gun shooting includes a pistol, shotgun, rifle and semi-auto firearm.

We host these popular events regularly. So, if you’re the competitive type who likes a challenge, this is the game for you. But, these events can cater for any level of shooter – from novices to experts. In addition to the fun challenge, it’ll up your skills in three or four different classes of firearms.

Whatever your skill level, you’re sure to find these events far more exciting than your average day at the range.

Team builder events

Team building opportunities abound in our firearm training programmes. From bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthdays and corporate events, we’ll tailor a package that suits your budget.

The safety of shooters and spectators is our number one priority. As such, we make learning the safe and correct way to shoot a firearm an exciting and memorable experience.

We look forward to hosting you at Marksman’s Nest, where you’ll learn first-hand that recreational shooting is fun.

Shooting Range

Shooting Range “It’s a fun thing to do: Go to a shooting range with a buddy, knock off a few rounds, release stress.” – Laurie Holden To all members, non-members, day visitors and event participants: welcome to our shooting range. Although many people...
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