A Beginner’s Guide to Competitive Shooting Sports
For new shooters, it’s a great idea to get involved in different shooting sports to continue building your skillset. But for beginners, there are quite a few rules to learn – and they change from firearm to firearm. Here is a beginner’s guide to competitive shooting sports to get you started.
Shotgun Competitive Shooting
Generally, there are three categories for competitive shotgun shooting sport events. While all three of these sporting events involve throwing clay targets, there are differentiations with each event.
For skeet shooting, clay targets are fired from the opposite directions and cross. This should allow the shooter to develop their profile shooting skills.
Trap shooting involves clay targets being thrown in the same direction that the shooter is facing – but the trajectory varies. The different trajectories make it more challenging for the shooter and forces them to make quick decisions in aiming and selecting their target.
Finally, the sporting clay shooting event is considered to be a bit more chaotic. The clay targets are pitched from various heights, speeds, and even angles. The goal for these fast-moving targets is to simulate what a hunter would encounter in the wild when going after small game (typically birds).
Pistol Competitive Shooting
Pistol shooting events are a little different, but the level of challenge remains the same.
Bullseye shooting, for example, is an excellent way to work on your long distance aiming. Long distance usually means upwards of 50 yards, and the actual firing of your pistol will be a mix of slow to rapid firing. Some competitions up the level of difficulty by requiring a timer and the use of single-handed firing rather than the double-handed grip.
IDPA and IPSC shooting are competitions that simulate real world self defense scenarios, typically involving moving, shooting, and reloading while engaging multiple targets throughout the course of fire.
Buck & Doe’s also holds various pistol leagues throughout the year, which is a great way to begin competitive shooting. Our leagues offer the shooter, regardless of experience, the opportunity to network with our instructors and other shooters in a relaxed, fun environment, while honing their shooting skills.
Rifle Competitive Shooting
If you favor rifles over other firearms, there are plenty of competitive shooting events to pick from.
Silhouette shooting is a multiple distance affair. Centerfire Silhouette competition is shot off-hand, shooting steel silhouettes shaped like various animals, at multiple distances up to 500 yards. Rimfire silhouette shooting is based on the same concept, except the steel targets are set at different distances ranging between 50-100 yards.
For bench rest shooting, you will be shooting five round groups, at 100 yards. The rifle will sit on the front and rear rest, on a rigid shooting table. At the announcement of the judges, shooters then take aim at the paper targets. Shot group sizes are measured in hundredths of an inch.
To stay competitive, look at rifles that are highly modified or customized for this type of competition, and should be capable of precision accuracy.
To start preparing for these events, visit Buck & Doe’s state-of-the-art indoor shooting range.
Best age to start your child in archery lessons
Your child may be showing interests in archery at an early age. But what age is too early, and is there ever a “too old” age group? Although there is no definitive age to have your child begin archery lessons, here are some helpful insights in determining whether your child child is ready to begin learning this awesome sport.
The Younger, the Better!
It can be a little nerve-wracking watching your little one struggling to handle a bow and arrow. But don’t stress! If your child has shown interest in learning archery, it’s actually recommended that you start them on lessons that teach them the proper hold and grip of a bow. Ideally, your child would be around 8 years old or older, but it’s up to your discretion if you think your child is ready to begin. In fact, there are archery kits available for children as young as three years old!
Hobby vs. Sport
A child in the 3–8-year-old age range is more likely to be interested in archery as a fun hobby, but as they get older, the hobby can become more focused and disciplined. However, experts will be willing to work with your child regardless of their initial motivation. As long as your child shows an interest and is able to pay attention to their instructor, they will benefit from taking archery lessons.
Let’s Talk About Cost
Archery is an investment, but remember it is an incredibly useful one. Hunting, scholarships, and competitions are just a small portion of opportunities the world of archery can offer. You will want to have a consistent archery range for your child to visit, and lessons that continue growing your child’s skillset. But most importantly, the bow and arrows are the first big investment you will need to make. The archery professionals at Buck & Doe’s are well versed in helping your child get started.
Which Bow is Best for Your Child?
Each child is different, but the ways to identify which bow is best for your child remains the same:
- Determine their dominant eye. You can do this with a simple test of putting an image on a wall. Have them cover their right eye and point to the middle of the image. If their finger stays pointed to the middle of the image, it means their left eye is the dominant eye. If their hand drifts to the right, that means their right eye is the dominant eye. This will let you know if you need to purchase a right-handed or left-handed bow.
- Next, measure your child’s arm span. Have them spread their arms out on either side of them, with their palms facing you. Measure from one middle finger to the other and divide that number by 2.5 to determine the ideal draw length for your child.
- Lastly, finding the right size and height for the bow will be determined by your child’s own height and weight. Typically, youth bows range from 30-40 inches in length, but that can vary. If your child weighs 50-80 pounds, a 10–15-pound bow should be comfortable for them. You don’t want a bow that is uncomfortably heavy or tall – The archery experts at Buck & Doe’s will work with you and your child to find the perfect size bow that fits both your child and your budget.
It’s Never Too Late to Get Started!
There is never a “too old” age group for learning archery. You can start building your skillset at any time, with the right lessons and instructor. Beginning archery is open to all!
At Buck & Doe’s Mercantile, our archery experts can help you determine the right fit for your child. With an impressive inventory, state-of-the-art archery range, and archery lessons for all levels, we are ready to get you started!