This shooting tip is provided by NSCA Level III instructor Dan Whitehead. We’ve heard it a million times, “Sporting clays is like golf with a shotgun.” Aside from the simple 18 holes comparison, the walk, cart ride, or the practice range, these two sports share many more intricacies. One that quickly comes to mind is the all-important mental game. Here’s a simple mental concept to work on: the tempo or the speed of taking your shots. Think about it like this: recall a band or orchestra that you have heard, and the band leader or conductor counts out the tempo or speed of the piece like this, “1-2-3.” Every target presentation has a shot tempo or speed. It is up to you to establish the proper tempo in your... [SEE MORE]

NSSA-NSCA announces an expansion of its relationship with the Kids & Clays Foundation with a Silver Sponsorship of the organization’s 2013 charity sporting clays events. Kids & Clays, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities, is NSSA-NSCA’s official charity. As a Silver Sponsor of this year’s fundraising shoots, NSSA-NSCA will receive two free entries to each of the 10 remaining events, which it will make available to members through drawings. You can see the schedule of the remaining shoots for this year here. The Kids & Clays events introduce the shooting sports to hundreds of new shooters each year when supporters of the Ronald McDonald House Charities participate in the fundraising sporting clays shoots... [SEE MORE]

“Do All-American points count toward NSCA All-Region teams, All-State teams, or National Class Rank?” Glynne Moseley NSCA Assistant Director No, each recognition program has a separate points system and a different calculation process. You can go to the Recognition Programs section of the NSCA website to see how calculations are done for each team. Each program has a separate page with info on how to qualify for it and earn points. – Glynne Moseley    NSCA Assistant Director  Read More →

Members and staff of NSSA mourn the death of skeet referee Tom “Bucky” Buchanan, who died on Friday, May 3 at his home in Livonia, NY, at the age of 61. He was known for his sharp sense of humor, generosity, kindness, and dedication to his family, friends, community, and NSSA. Funeral services were held in Livonia on Thursday, May 9, followed by a celebration of his life at the Conesus Lake Sportsman’s Club. Skeet shooting and refereeing were a second career for Bucky, as well as one of his favorite hobbies. He served as the World Skeet Shoot Chief Referee from 2000-2007. He was a lifetime member of the Conesus Lake Sportsman’s Club, at one time serving as President. In 2007, Tom was inducted into the NY State Hall of Fame and... [SEE MORE]

Latest Update: Tuesday, May 14: To keep you updated on Wayne Mayes’s condition and progress, following his serious accident on March 11, we’ll continue to add to this post chronologically as we hear news. We will note the date at top so you’ll know if there’s an update you haven’t seen. See the end of this post for the latest information. The shooting community has been stunned and unified in their concern by news of legendary skeet shooter Wayne Mayes’s injury in an accident that caused severe burns over much of his body. He remains in critical condition in ICU and is being kept sedated for pain management. Wayne’s wife is NSSA Director Linda Mayes. Just three days after the accident, Wayne underwent the first of what... [SEE MORE]

Last week’s NSSA-NSCA Target Talk quiz went straight to the NSSA Rule Book, although an argument could be made that these rules of etiquette might also be considered common sense. Here’s the question: Which of the following statements is NOT an accepted rule of etiquette in skeet? Only pick up your own empty shells and only after the round is over. While shooting, turn off your cell phone and be quiet when another shooter is on the pad. If you pick up your gun from the rack while in the clubhouse, you should open the action immediately. If a member of your squad in a registered shoot is new to skeet, you should coach them during the shoot. On the field, stay back where you are not in the shooter’s peripheral vision. The... [SEE MORE]

Congratulations to Allen McCannon, HOA Champion at last weekend’s Krieghoff Masters Skeet Championship at Forest City Gun Club. Runner-up was Adam Willey, and third place was Michael Schmidt. Alyssa Gormish won the Lady Championship. The Krieghoff Masters is sponsored annually by Krieghoff International and duPont/Krieghoff. Winners include: HOA Champion Allen McCannon 395 HOA Runner-up Adam Willey 395 HOA 3rd Michael Schmidt 395 Lady Champion Alyssa Gormish 388 Lady Runner-up Debra Perry 384 Lady 3rd Catherine Blankenship 382 Doubles Todd Bender 100 12 Gauge David Starrett 100 20 Gauge Kenneth Patterson 100 28 Gauge Paul Stemac 100 .410 Bore Brian Moore 100 The Krieghoff... [SEE MORE]

NSCA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mike Raahauge, a long-time NSCA member club owner and operator in Corona, California, who died on Monday of cancer. Raahauge was very active in his community and bringing people into the shooting sports through instruction and activities at his shooting facilities. Raahauge is survived by Elaine, his wife and partner of 48 years; his son, Pat, who has three sons and two daughters; and a daughter, Cindy Shenberger, who lives in North Carolina with her husband, Kevin, and their two daughters. His daughter said a family celebration of life will be held soon. In the meantime, he will be memorialized at a three-day event at the range that begins May 31, the 30th Shooting Sports Fair. A tribute... [SEE MORE]

FITASC shooters aiming at the North American Cup now have one of two qualifying shoots behind them, with the second required event upcoming in June. The North American FITASC Championship will be held at Northbrook Sports Club in Illinois, June 27-30. Registration is at Winscoreonline.com. In the Open category, Gebben Miles currently leads in the standings, followed by Pat Lieske and David Radulovich. Other leaders include Diane Sorantino (Lady), David Radulovich (Junior), Steve Middleditch (Veteran), and Robert Fields (Super Vet). Click here to see North American Cup standings leading into the North American FITASC Championship. Shooters must shoot in both qualifying shoots to be eligible.  Read More →

If your dream career would be managing one of the top shooting facilities in the country — and if you have the background and skills needed for the position — here’s a job opportunity that might be just for you. Caesars Mid-South, located in Tunica County, MS, has an immediate opportunity for a Manager at Harrah’s Tunica Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center. Willows Sporting Clays and Hunting Center is located on 660 acres inside the Mississippi River levee behind Harrah’s Casino. Willows offers shooting facilities, wetlands, forests, and other natural wildlife settings, including: Trap Skeet 14 automated sporting clays shooting stations with three shooting levels each Rifle and pistol shooting range Quail... [SEE MORE]