With more than 7 million active members, clay target shooting is as popular as ever in the United States. Making up roughly 37% of the total 19 million U.S. target shooters, trapshooters possess the diversity of golfers and the passion of NASCAR supporters. Continuing a tradition that goes back more than 125 years…and even farther when considering alternative thrown targets…clay target shooting is based on three official formats—trap, skeet and sporting clays.
Evidence shows that trapshooting began in this county at the Sportsmen’s Club in Cincinnati, OH with a recorded pigeon shoot in 1836. And it wasn’t long before the sport of trapshooting was growing in popularity up and down the eastern seaboard. By 1840, the New York Sportsman’s Club held its first trapshooting competition. While live pigeon shoots were officially stopped in 1904 due to bad press, alternative, inanimate targets were introduced as early as 1866. For example, Charles Portlock of Boston, MA imported glass ball targets from England. But it wasn’t until 1880 that trap shooting as we know it evolved. That’s when Fred Kimble invented the “Peoria Black Bird,” a target made of coal-tar, pitch and a collection of other ingredients. They even invented a trap thrower to accommodate this new creation.
However, also in 1880 George Ligowsky invented what was to become the symbol of trapshooting—the clay target. It was an instant success when unveiled at the New York State Shoot at Coney Island. Ligowsky’s creation become so popular that by 1884, the First International Clay Pigeon Tournament was held in Chicago, IL and within four years later, the first trapshooting association was established. Invented as a substitute to Portlock’s glass ball targets—which by then were being filled with feathers or fertilizer for additional showmanship—the clay target was one in a long list of prototype targets. Items such as rubber balloons fitted into cardboard discs, propellant targets, steel birds hand-cranked along wires, tin pigeons flung on chains and a variety of other miscellaneous contraptions faced shooters of the day.
However, legend has it that while watching youngsters skip shells across the water at the seashore, George Ligowsky envisioned his clay pigeon idea. He recognized that the inverted saucer shape of the shells provided stability in flight and, armed with that insight, started a target shooting revolution. His first targets were virtually impossible to break. Made entirely of clay and baked in ovens to achieve hardness, these first clay targets would ring like a bell when hit but wouldn’t shatter. Ligowsky then turned to limestone and pitch for his ingredients but too late…the “clay” name had already caught on and, while a misnomer, became ingrained in the shooting vernacular and came to embody the sport. Priced at $20 per thousand, George Ligowsky helped bring modern clay target shooting to the masses.
Today’s frangible clay targets are the result of years of modifications and scientific research. Commonly made from a combination of biodegradable binder, sodium silicate, clay and a low concentration of water, they are design to test the skills of even the most skilled shooter. At most shooting ranges, the Standard Clay sets the bar for clay targets and is the most commonly thrown target. It can be thrown solo or as part of a nested pair by placing a 90mm Midi (also known as The Quail) underneath for an extra challenging shot. The Midi will drop out in flight for a challenging doubles presentation.
Standard Clay Specs
Description: Basic clay target presentation
Diameter: 108 millimeters
Flight Pattern: Steady and versatile
Height: 14 millimeters
Weight: 105 grams
Emulates: Variety of bird hunting situations
You can purchase a full range of trap and skeet shooting supplies at Explore Products at discount prices.
Source: Champion Traps & Targets; National Trapshooting Hall of Fame & Museum; National Sport Shooting Foundation (NSSF); Patent Storm: United States Patent 5316313
