Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays Competition Guidelines

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 avocational 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.

Event Guidelines

• There is an annual Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge which is a combination of the three shotgun shooting disciplines of American 16-yard trap, American skeet, and Sporting clays. It is open to 4-H Junior and Senior individuals and teams.
• A county may enter any number of eligible Junior (Grades 6-8) or Senior (Grades 9-12) Division 4-H’ers in the Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge. Participation may be limited to facility accommodations and is available on a first registered, first served basis.
• The State 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge is a 100-target per discipline event for Juniors and Seniors and is a Senior individual and Senior team competition for Master 4-Her status.
• The team event consists of 3-4 members. Team membership must be predetermined at registration prior to shooting. If a county has less than three 4-H’ers they will compete as individuals. Team awards will be determined by the sum of the best 3 scores from a team. Teams for trap, skeet and sporting clays must be the same members shooting all 3 disciplines to be considered for the high overall and team awards.
• Squads –4-H’ers will be in squads of 5 to maximize facility use. County teams may or may not be in the same squad. Squads will typically consist of multiple county members. A Georgia 4-H certified adult volunteer or individual designated by shoot management will serve as a referee and will accompany each squad on a field or sporting clays course.
• All personnel (4-H’ers, trap operators, coaches, scorekeepers/referees and range safety officers) will wear hearing and eye protection at all times while on a field or course.
• 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 a field or course. Flip flops, Crocs and sandals are not allowed. Shoes must be worn while on a shooting field and sporting clays course.
• Counties participating in the state events must provide a minimum of one Georgia 4-H certified volunteer as a referee to pull targets and score and one additional Georgia 4-H certified volunteer to referee for each additional team entered in the event. Referees do not have to be 4-H certified coaches. Refereeing can likely be at the same time that the same county will have participants shooting on a different field or shooting station. In no instance
can a person score for a squad that includes members only from the same county.
• To avoid interference or delays, coaching is not permitted while 4-H’ers are on the field or on a sporting clays station. Coaching is only permitted before and after trap or skeet rounds are completed or between sporting clays stations.

4-H’er (Participant) Responsibility

• All 4-H’ers must have successfully completed a State Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education Program.
• 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.
• Gun actions can be closed with guns loaded ONLY when on the shooting station when it is the 4-H’ers turn to fire. Break action guns may be closed while in a gun rack but must be opened immediately after removing the gun from the rack. All firearm actions must be open when being carried. Firearms must be unloaded (live or spent ammunition) and actions open prior to leaving the shooting station. All participants and referees are responsible for
knowing and following these 4-H rules and guidance and the rules of each National Governing Body (NGB) [the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA), the Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) and the National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA)] for the clay target discipline they are participating in. This includes but is not limited to the 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. 4-H rules and guidance takes precedence over all NGB rules.
• In the event of a malfunction, 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. Following a malfunction, the action shall not be opened by anyone for at least 30 seconds.
• 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 and referee’s responsibility to be familiar with each NGB rules pertaining to announcing, checking, and contesting how targets are scored.
• All shooters shall be responsible to clean up all spent ammunition from the station or field used after all squad members have completed their shooting.

Coaches and Referee Responsibilities

• Observe for proper firearm safety (MAT = Muzzle – controlled in a safe direction, Action open except when about to fire, Trigger – finger off the trigger until about to fire).
• Ensure use of eye and hearing protection by shooters and all others who are on the shooting field or course.
• 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 NGB rules for the discipline being refereed.
• Know how to properly score targets and load targets into the traps if assistance is requested by the shoot or facility management. For trap and skeet, a hit or dead target is recorded as forward slash (/) or X and a missed or lost target is recorded as a zero (0). For sporting clays, a hit or dead target is recorded as a forward slash (/) or back slash (\) and a missed or lost target is recorded as a zero (0). A visible piece of a broken target must be seen by the referee to be scored as a hit or dead target.
• Know and follow the proper procedures for handling and recording a malfunction and how many malfunctions are allowed. This includes having the 4-H’er not move their hands from the trigger or touch the safety or a barrel selector and examining the firearm and ammunition to determine the cause of malfunction. Following a malfunction, the action shall not be opened for at least 30 seconds.
• Pull, observe, record targets and declare “no target” if no target comes out, the target comes out broken or if is an irregular target (ones that does not have normal flight path). All targets declared “no target” shall not be scored and must be re-shot for scoring. Targets shall be promptly pulled as quickly as possible, in a consistent manner, and within one second after a call for the target is made. The call of missed or lost or hit or dead shall be announced by the referee as required by the applicable NGB.
• Inspect all squad members’ ammunition to ensure it complies with Georgia 4-H rules. It is the coach’s or shooter’s responsibility to provide written proof from the manufacturer that the ammunition meets Georgia 4-H requirements. Written proof shall consist of a box labeled with feet per second (FPS) information or a manufacturer’s literature with that information. If a participant is found to have used illegal ammunition, he/she is subject to disqualification from the event.
• A Georgia 4-H certified adult volunteer or shoot management appointed referee shall be required at each field or sporting clays station during competition. The referee must be knowledgeable in the NGB rules they are refereeing and Georgia 4-H Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education (SAFE) program rules for trap, skeet and sporting clays. Referees should be prepared to take the field 45 minutes to 1 hour before their assigned squad is
scheduled to fire. Every effort should be made to have squads beginning shooting as soon as a previously scheduled squad has completed their use of the field.
• A 4-H certified shotgun coach 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. Certified coaches, referees and other adult volunteers must meet the University of Georgia policies for volunteers.

Georgia 4-H Ammunition Requirements

• 4-H’ers will supply a shotgun and shotshells. Shotshells must meet the following specifications:
• 1 1/8 oz. or 32 gram shot loads cannot exceed 1290 feet per second (FPS).
• 1 oz. or 28 gram shot loads cannot exceed 1325 FPS.
• 7/8 oz. or 24 gram shot loads cannot exceed 1350 FPS.
• Shot size must be 7 ½ or smaller and not exceed 1 1/8 oz. or 32 grams. Shells will be factory loads. NO RELOADS WILL BE ALLOWED. 4-H’ers are responsible for bringing enough shotshells for all rounds, to include: shots re-fired to establish a score, replacement of defective ammunition and tie breakers if necessary.

American Trap

• The course of fire for Junior and Senior competition will consist of 4-25 target sub-events for a total of 100 targets consisting of five targets for score 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 load meeting the requirements of Georgia 4-H may be used. Firearms with release triggers are NOT permitted.
• For additional rules, refer to the official ATA Rule Book. A copy may be downloaded at: https://shootata.com/portals/0/pdf/Rulebook.pdf. Note: 4-H rules take precedence over other rules. 

American Skeet

• The course of fire for Junior and 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.
• 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 load and speed meeting the requirements of Georgia 4-H may be used. Firearms with release triggers are NOT permitted.
• For additional rules, refer to the NSSA rule book. A copy may be downloaded at: https://mynssa.nssa-nsca.org/rule-book/. Note: 4-H rules take precedence over other rules.

Sporting Clays

• The course of fire for the competition will be a 100 target course for Junior and Seniors and will be established under the guidelines of the NSCA. The course will be set by the management of the facility hosting the event.
• Each squad member will take turns (rotate) firing first as they proceed from station to station. For example, the first shooter who shoots first at a station will shoot last at the next station and the second shooter at a station will shoot first at the next station.
• Any shotgun 12 gauge or smaller firing a shot load meeting the requirements of Georgia 4-H may be used. Firearms with release triggers are NOT permitted.
• Shoot offs for awards will be conducted if necessary.
• For additional rules, refer to the NSCA rule Book. A copy may be downloaded at  https://nsca.nssa-nsca.org/rule-book/  Note: 4-H rules take precedence over other rules.

Shoot Offs/ Tie Breakers

• Shoot offs for awards will be conducted in the following sequence: Individual Skeet, Individual Trap, Individual Sporting Clays, High Overall Individual and High Overall Team.
• For Skeet Individual, shoot offs will be miss and out doubles on station 4. Each 4-Her will shoot one pair of doubles at station 4 with the high house target first. In the event of a continued tie, 4-H’ers will continue at station 4 shooting low house first and alternating between the high or low house target to shoot first in a true pair as necessary until the tie is broken. Best score of the two targets at the station breaks the tie. Shoot management has
the right to add additional stations to break ties if necessary.
• For Trap Individual, shoot offs will be miss and out conducted at the 27 yard line by shooting 1 target from station 3. Best of one target of the round breaks the tie. Shoot management has the right to add additional stations to break ties if necessary.
• For Sporting Clays, Individual ties will be broken by predetermined stations.
• For High Overall Individual, shoot offs will be conducted by using a combination of skeet, trap and sporting clays targets. Each 4-H’er will shoot 1 pair of skeet targets on station 4, two single trap targets on station 3 from the 27 yard line, and one true pair of targets from a sporting clays presentation determined by shoot management for a total of 6 targets. The greatest number of hits from the total 6 targets will be used to break the tie. If a tie
continues, the process will be repeated until ties are broken. Shoot management has the right to add additional stations to break ties if necessary.
• For High Overall Teams, shoot offs will be conducted by using a combination of skeet, trap and sporting clays targets. Each 4-H’er used to determine the combined team score (three 4-H’ers) will shoot one pair of skeet targets from station 4, two single trap targets from station3 at the 27 yard line and one true pair of targets from a sporting clays presentation determined by shoot management. The team placement will be determined by the combined score for the team (18 targets). If a tie remains, the process will be repeated until ties are broken. Shoot management has the right to add additional stations to break ties if necessary.

Awards and Recognition

• State 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge: 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 from the State 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge 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 Senior team (overall trap, skeet and sporting clays) at the State 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge may be eligible to represent Georgia in the 4-H National Shooting Sports Invitational Match.
• Members of the State Winning (First Place) Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge 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 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge winners as High Individuals.
• State 4-H Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Challenge 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.