Trap and Skeet (Shotgun)Competition
updated 10/09
changes in green
Objectives:
  • Enhance youth development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
  • To involve youth in a life skills program that teaches safe and responsible use of shooting sports equipment including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.
  • To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
  • To expose participants to the broad array of vocational and life-long avocation activities related to shooting sports.
  • To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities.
  • To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter education programs using experiential (hands on) educational methods and progressive development of skills and abilities.
  • Competition Guidelines:
  • A county may enter any number of eligible Junior or Senior Division boys and/or girls in the state Skeet and Trap match.
  • Competition will consist of two separate events, American Skeet and American, 16-yard Trap.
  • Teams may consist of 3-4 members.  If a county has less than three 4-H'ers they will compete as individuals. Team Awards awards will be determined by the sum of the best 3 scores from the team. Teams for trap and skeet must be the same members shooting both events to be considered for high individual and team awards.
  • Squadding--4-H'ers will be squadded in groups of 5 to maximize facilty use. County teams may not be squadded together.
  • All 4-H’ers, trap operators, coaches, scorekeepers/referees, and range safety officers will wear hearing and eye protection at all times while on the range.
  • Closed toe shoes that are secured to the feet by use of a heel strap or formed heel must be worn at all times while on the range. Flip flops and sandals are not allowed. Shoes must be worn at the firing line.
  • Counties participating in the state event must provide one adult to serve as a referee to pull targets and score. This can likely be at the same time that the same county squad is shooting on a different field. In no instance can a person score for a squad that includes members from the same county.
  • Coaching is not permitted while shooters are on the field. Coaching is only permitted before and after rounds are completed and can not cause any delay in the competition.
  • 4-H'er (Participant) Responsibility:
  • Guns must be cased or placed in a gun rack when not in use.
  • Practice gun safety! Muzzle control must be maintained at all times. Actions must remain open when not shooting. Actions must be opened and guns unloaded when moving from station to station.
  • Gun actions may be closed and guns loaded ONLY when on the shooting station when it is the 4-H’ers turn to fire.
  • 4-H’ers are responsible for knowing and following the rules of each clay target discipline including  proper shooting sequence, where to stand while waiting your turn, when actions may be closed and the responsibilities of a squad leader while on the field.
  • In the event of a misfire, firearms must remain pointed down range in a safe direction, keeping both hands on the firearm until the firearm has been inspected by the referee.
  • At no time may a gun muzzle be rested on the body part or a toe pad in 4-H competition. In addition no body part may be rested on the muzzle of the firearm.
  • It is the 4-H'ers responsibility to agree with how the target is scored prior to ensure that the score is added correctly before leaving the station.

  • Referee Responsibilities:

  • Observe for open actions and muzzle control.
  • Observe for sportsmanship, ethical behavior and proper shooting procedures for each clay target discipline.
  • Know the rules! These include the Georgia 4-H rules as well the NSSA and ATA rules.
  • Know how to properly score targets and load targets into the machines.
  • Know the proper procedures for handling a misfire. This includes having the 4-H’er not move their hands from the trigger or touch the safety, and examining the firearm and ammunition to determine cause of the misfire.
  • Observe targets and indicate hit or miss and declare “no target” if the target appears broken prior to firing.  (All targets declared “no target” shall not be scored and must be re-shot for scoring.
  • American Skeet
  • Course of  fire for Senior competition will consist of 4-25 target rounds (100 targets) consisting of singles and doubles from stations 1, 2, 6, and 7 and singles from stations 3, 4, 5, and 8.
  • Course of  fire for Junior competition will consist of 3-25 target rounds (75 targets) consisting of singles and doubles from stations 1, 2, 6, and 7 and singles from stations 3, 4, 5, and 8.
  • 4-H'ers will fire in an expeditious manner, avoiding unnecessary delay; 4-H'ers should be prepared to take the field 45 minutes to 1 hour before their scheduled firing time.
  • Any shotgun 12 gauge or smaller firing a shot charge meeting the requirements of the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA). Firearms with release triggers are NOT permitted.
  • 4-H'ers will supply their own shotgun and shotshells. Shotshells must meet the following specifications:
  • 1 oz cannot exceed 1325 FPS
  • 7/8 oz can not exceed 1350 FPS.
  • Shot size must be 7 ½ or smaller and not exceed 1 oz. Shells will be factory loads. NO RELOADS WILL BE ALLOWED. 4-H’ers are responsible for bringing enough shells for all rounds, practice shots, proof-doubles,  and tie breakers if necessary.
  • For additional rules, refer to the NSSA rule Book. A copy may be downloaded at www.mynssa.com  4-H rules take precedence over other rules.
  • Ties for individuals and teams will be done as  miss and out shooting doubles from stations 3, 4, and 5.
  • American Trap
  • Course of  fire for Senior competition will consist of 2-50 sub-events for a total of  100 targets  consisting of ten rounds from each of the five shooting stations at 16 yards.
  • Course of  fire for Junior competition will consist of 3-25 target rounds of 25 targetsfor a total of  (75 targets event) consisting of five rounds from each of the five shooting stations at 16 yards.
  • 4-H'ers will fire in an expeditious manner, avoiding unnecessary delay; 4-H'ers should be prepared to take the field 45 minutes to 1 hour before their scheduled firing time.
  • Any shotgun 12 gauge or smaller firing a shot charge meeting the requirements of the Amateur Trap  Association (ATA).  Firearms with release triggers are NOT permitted.
  • 4-H'ers will supply their own shotgun and shotshells. Shotshells must meet the following specifications:
  • 1 oz cannot exceed 1325 FPS
  • 7/8 oz can not exceed 1350 FPS.
  • Shot size must be 7 ½ or smaller and not exceed 1 oz. Shells  will be factory loads. NO RELOADS WILL BE ALLOWED. 4-Hers are responsible for bringing enough shells for each round, necessary shells to re-shoot a no-target, etc. and practice shots, record fire and tie breakers if necessary.
  • For additional rules, refer to the official ATA Rule Book. A copy may be downloaded at www1.shootata.com  4-H rules take precedence over other rules.
  • Ties for individuals or teams will be broken by shooting handicap targets starting at the 21-yard line and shooting or progressing to longer yardage as determined by event management.
  • Ties for individuals or teams for high overall recognition will be a combination of skeet doubles and handicap trap targets determined by shoot management.
  • Shoot Offs/Tie Breakers
  • Shoot offs for awards will be conducted in the following sequence: Individual Skeet, Individual Trap, Overall High Individual and High Overall Team.
  • For Skeet, shoot offs will follow NSSA rules, miss and out doubles starting on station 3. Each 4-H’er will shoot one pair of doubles at station 3. In the event of a continued tie, 4 H’ers will continue to stations 4,5,4,3,etc. as necessary until the tie is broken. Best two targets on a particular station breaks the tie.
  •  For Trap, shoot offs will be conducted beginning at the 27 yard line by shooting one target at each station identified in the table below, with the highest number of hits breaking the tie. The number of 4 H’ers tied will determine the stations used. In event that the ties are not broken miss and out will be done from the 27 yard line beginning at station 1. Event management may adjust the yardage, shooting stations and number of targets as needed in order to break ties.
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    # of 4-H'ers Stations Used # of Targets
    2 1 and 5 2
    3 1, 3 and 5 3
    4 1,2,4, and 5 4
    5 1,2,3,4, and 5 5
    6 & up Shooters will be divided into two or more groups for shoot offs
  • For High Overall Individual, shoot offs will be conducted by using a combination of both skeet and trap targets.  Each 4-H’er will shoot 1 pair of skeet targets on station 3 and 1 trap targets on stations 1 and 5 from the 27 yard line for a total of 4 targets. The greatest number of hits from the total 4 targets will be used to break the tie.  If a tie continues, event management will decide how to break ties using a combination of skeet and trap targets from different shooting stations.
  • For High Overall Teams, shoot offs will be conducted by using a combination of both Skeet and Trap Targets. Each Team member used to determine the combined team  score (three 4 H’ers) will shoot one pair of skeet from station 3 and one trap target from station 1 at the 27 yard line. The team placement will be determined by the combined number of hits for the team (9 targets). If a tie remains, event management will decide how to break ties using a combination of both skeet and trap targets from different shooting stations.

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    Certified Coaches / Adults:
     

  • Counties are required to  have a minimum of one 4-H certified coach in the shotgun discipline coach for each 4-5 member squad or for those shooting as individuals.
  • A 4-H certified coach must be present on each field during competition.
  • A 4-H certified coach in shotgun discipline must be present for a county practice or event to be recognized as a Georgia 4-H SAFE program.
  • Additional adequate adult supervision should be present to serve as range safety officers and help facilitate all aspects of Project SAFE events and activities. Adults should be Certified Overnight Chaperone Trained or Screened Volunteers depending upon responsibilities and roles assigned.

  • Awards & Recognition:
     

  • Awards are as outlined by the Project SAFE Development Committee. Recognition will be given to high individuals and teams in both Junior and Senior divisions.
  • The first place overall senior team and high senior individual will be eligible for Master 4-H'er status and to participate in the recognition of Special Events Winners at State 4-H Congress.  The banquet meal and lodging expenses will be paid for the team and coach; however, travel costs are not covered.
  • The State winning team and high scoring individuals are eligible to compete again during subsequent years.
  • The state winning senior team (overall skeet and trap) at the state 4-H match are eligible to represent Georgia in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Invitational Match.
  • Members of the State Winning (First Place) Team are ineligible to compete as team members in future years. This applies whether or not they compete in a national 4-H SAFE event.  Team members may compete as individuals in contests and may be recognized as State Winners as High Individuals.
  • State Winning High Individuals who are not members of the State Winning (First place) Team are permitted to compete in future years as either individuals or as team members.

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