Clays

Sporting Clays is the closest thing to actual field shooting of all shotgun sports. The sport dates back to England in the early 1900’s when trap shooting used live pigeons. With the introduction of clay targets, the sport began to take on the popular form known today. But rather than using standardized distances, target angles and target sizes, sporting clays courses are designed to simulate the hunting of ducks, pheasants and even rabbits. Six different sizes of clay targets give the participant the experience of

Join the National Sporting Clays Association today!

Happy New Year 2026!

Welcome back to another exciting year of sporting clays & related events at the Western Mass Bird Dog Club.

THE SPORTING CLAYS COURSE IS OPEN TO PUBLIC. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A CLUB MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF OUR CLAY COURSE ACTIVITIES.

And it is suitable for all ages and all levels of experience, with a variable mix of targets from the Standard (110mm), to midi (90mm), Battue and Rabbit presentations interchanged throughout our 15 station, 100 target setup.

Sporting Clays will be open every Saturday from May 2nd until Sept 26th 2026, weather permitting.

– Registration is 8:00 – 9:00 am and shooting starting at 9:00 am.
– Cost for 100 targets is $35 for club Members and $40 for Non-members
– We also have season passes for non-club members & with an initial payment of $70 which allows a non-club member to participate at member prices ($35) for the rest of the season.

2026 is promising to be an exciting year at our course, with the return of many regular events as well as some new ones in the works.

These events are already planned:

– Leprechaun Shoot – Saturday March 21st (rain day 28th). This event is open to public, which includes 50 targets & a traditional Irish meal that follows the shoot.
– Side x Side Fun Shoot – Saturday June 27th. This event is open to public, which includes 100 targets & lunch that follows the shoot. More details will be shared shortly.
– NSCA / Piemonte & Mulak Registered Shoot – Sunday September 13th. This event is open to public. This is a registered shoot which includes 100 targets & lunch that follows the shoot.

For more information about our Special Shoots, please visit our Events Page.

We are also planning a Youth Shoot, Sub Gauge Shoot, and few more Fun Shoots. Details and dates are being confirmed and will be posted on the Events page once they are confirmed.

Additionally there will also be a weekday shoot on Tuesdays. The Tuesday Night Shoot will start on July 14th 2026 and will run through September 29th 2026. These Tuesday afternoon shoots is made up of 50 targets ~ FEE: $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers & the start time for this weekly event is 5:30pm.

Once again, wishing you all a Happy New Year & we look forward to seeing you on the course.

Lets break some clays!

For further questions, event ideas, or course information please contact:

Mehmet Mizanoglu: marshmanfog@comcast.net

Dan Fazio: danfazio@yahoo.com

Gordie Forbes: 413-594-6497

Course Rules

- Safety Glasses must be worn at ALL times when on the course, even when you are not shooting. Please remind your squad if someone is not wearing their safety glasses.

- Only shoot from the station that is manned by a trapper.

- All shots must be taken from in the station. Shooting from anywhere else including “next to” or “in front of” is strictly prohibited.

- A shotgun should only be loaded when a shooter is in a station and the target area is deemed safe. All other guns shall be unloaded and placed on a rack.