LEARN TO SHOOT

We open our club to the public every Friday evening from 4-7pm (daylight permitting) and, contrary to common belief, you do NOT require a licence or membership to learn to shoot clay targets. You don’t even need to book – just turn up. The Mornington Clay Target Club welcomes new shooters aged 12-and-over to come along and have a go at clay target shooting.

Our practice and introduction sessions are held every Friday evening except Good Friday and other inconvenient dates (see the front page of the website under Important Notices). The purpose of these evenings is for current members to hone their skills before the upcoming weekend’s competitions, as well as for new shooters to come along and try the sport. On Friday evenings, the Mornington Clay Target Club will provide all of the equipment necessary to those learning to shoot (under the strictest of supervision). We have several firearms set aside for the specific purpose of teaching new shooters who are yet to purchase the necessary equipment. Sorry would-be thieves, but these guns are not stored at the club.

The Mornington Clay Target Club has more than ample experienced shooters willing to give up their time on Friday evenings and assist new shooters with entry into the sport.

Former National Coach Bill Iles giving some beginners and other onlookers a lesson or two

Juniors (between the ages of 12 & 18) are particularly encouraged to participate, however they must be accompanied to the club by a parent or guardian. We go to a lot of effort to makes juniors welcome so please don’t hesitate to bring your young ones along. On Friday nights, we will usually set up a whole trap layout solely for the juniors (ie. it throws easier targets). One or several experienced shooters will also be at the trap to guide the juniors through the process. Parents & guardians, please be aware that if we cannot verify the age of your child / ward then they will not be permitted to participate.

It is a common, and incorrect, myth that one must have a firearms licence to learn to shoot clay targets. New shooters are in fact welcome to simply turn up on a Friday afternoons even without licences and/or club memberships. New shooters will however be asked to (a) sign the visitors book, and (b) verify their age to a senior member of the club if they are a young teenager. Unlicenced shooters are allowed a maximum of three (3) practice sessions before a shooting licence is required.

Simply turn up to the club, head into the club house and let whoever is behind the desk (normally Russell) that you’d like to try clay target shooting. By law, only persons over the age of 12 are able to participate in clay target shooting, and every unlicenced shooter MUST be personally accompanied whilst shooting by a person in possession of a full Category A Longarms Licence or above (we’ve got plenty of generous members willing to teach / supervise so don’t worry).

The cost of practice shooting (and of learning to shoot also) is generally $7 per 25 targets, plus $8 per box of ammunition (25 shells) if you are unable to bring your own.

We usually hold a BBQ after shooting has ceased so even if you’re not directly involved in the shooting turn up, have a sausage & drink and enjoy the company.

By law, all shooters must:

-	have a 0.00 blood alcohol level to operate a firearm, and
-	not be under the influence of prohibited drugs, and
-	not be under the influence of prescription drugs for psychological purposes, and
-	be of sound mind and body (manageable physical disabilities are acceptable), and
-	not have a criminal record related to violence or firearm offences, and
-	not suffer from a medical condition, such as epilepsy or acute hypotension, which may lead to a temporary loss of consciousness and / or control.

If the Mornington Clay Target Club so much as suspects that a new (or even current) shooter does not satisfy ANY of the criteria above, he / she will not be permitted to participate and may be asked to leave the club grounds.

If you’ve any questions then please don’t hesitate to send our club president Lance Cazaly an email at (lcazaly@tpg.com.au) or alternatively give one of us a phone call using the big blue Contact Us link at the top of the page.