Article published: August 1st, 2012

Also known as clay target shooting, this exciting outdoor group activity is becoming more and more popular each year and this year is no exception.  An Olympic sport and with the Clay Pigeon Shooting Championships having recently been held in Caerphilly, it’s no wonder more and more people are turning their attention to this most civilised of country sports.

And it’s Derbyshire’s countryside that suits this group activity so very well.  In a nutshell, Derbyshire Clay Pigeon Shooting involves shooting special flying targets known as clay pigeons, or clay targets with a shotgun.  The name is derived from a time when live pigeons were in fact used, until this was outlawed in 1921.  And although the target is often referred to as a ‘target’ or ‘bird’ and a hit is referred to as a ‘hit’ or a ‘kill’, the only casualties are strictly plate-like pieces of clay launched from a ‘trap’ to the jeer of ‘bird away’.

Last week Team GB’s shooting team were given a good luck send off from the National Shooting Centre in Bisley, as they headed to East London and the Olympic Village.  Following the opening ceremony, they were some of the first to arrive and are currently training on the ranges ahead of the competition.  Also, very recently a Caerphilly man became the world down the line Clay Pigeon Shooting champion when he beat over 500 competitors.  This all adds intrigue and interest to this superb outdoor sport and wonderful group activity.

Due to its location and facilities that are second to none, our Derbyshire Clay Pigeon Shooting centre has been voted as one of the finest grounds in the whole of the UK.  A great activity for hen do, stag weekends and corporate team building weekends, on arrival, your group will be introduced to our instructors who will take them through a thorough safety briefing before providing all with everything needed for a rewarding day of clay pigeon shooting!  With a selection of different targets, from ‘high crossers’ to ‘rabbits’ and ‘loopers’, scores will also be kept by the instructors for that element of competition.

To learn more about Clay Pigeon Shooting in Derbyshire and to plan that perfect team building outdoor activity, please get in touch with a member of our friendly and professional team!