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BY KEVIN WELBORN
Sporting clays is often referred to as “golf with a shotgun” with its comparative rotation through a meandering course that presents a variety of different shots, terrain and, in some cases, beautiful landscapes and scenery. That is certainly the case at Joshua Creek Ranch in Boerne which boasts two of the most scenic sporting clays courses in the country.
In the last 10 years, sporting clays has grown in popularity and participation and not just amongst avid shotgunners. “We have seen a steady increase over the last several years in the number of clays shooters of all different ages and skill levels,” said Kevin Welborn, Director at Joshua Creek Ranch. “From beginners looking for some occasional ‘lead therapy’ to bird hunters preparing for wingshooting season to competitive shooters fine tuning their shots for Nationals. Thousands of clays shooters visit our courses every year,” he added.
Unlike golf which can take years of lessons, practice and playing to get to a point beyond frustration, pretty much anyone can at least attempt to shoot sporting clays, even if they have never fired a shotgun. “Just aim, pull and shoot! That’s pretty much all there is to it,” Welborn jokingly declared.
All kidding aside, sporting clays is pretty simple and a lot of fun for just about anyone. Whether you are shooting in a group, a pair, or even solo (which is an option with the automatic traps at Joshua Creek Ranch), the process is the same no matter where you shoot. When it is your turn, you step into the station, load your shotgun, aim safely toward the target shooting zone. Once you and your shotgun are in the ready position, you call “pull” to your trapper. The traps will throw two clay targets either consecutively or simultaneously depending on the presentation preferred. Each clay target is considered a “dead bird” if any part of it is broken. Your score is reflected by the total number of “dead birds” at the end of your round. The number of targets in a round is the shooter’s discretion.
The simplicity of sporting clays shooting appeals to groups and organizations who may have historically hosted golf tournaments for corporate events and fundraisers. Joshua Creek Ranch is the venue of choice for more than 30 sporting clays events each year – usually corporate or non-profit fundraisers and fun shoots ranging from 100 up to 500 shooters. “We host shoots for many of the biggest companies and well-known charitable organizations in south Texas. We can accommodate hundreds of guests on our clays courses and at our indoor/outdoor dining and event venues,” Welborn said.
A typical sporting clays shoot fundraiser begins with registration/check-in and a safety briefing followed by a 100-target round of sporting clays, then a lunch (or dinner) buffet and culminates with a live auction and/ or raffle with proceeds benefitting the host non-profit organization. “With our fun & challenging courses combined with a beautiful Texas Hill Country landscape, chef-prepared food and world-class amenities, Joshua Creek Ranch really is the perfect venue for these type of events,” Welborn continued. “We have seen some organizations raise over a hundred-thousand dollars at our venue in a one-day event.”
For anyone looking to get started shooting sporting clays, Joshua Creek Ranch is the place to go. Not only are the clays courses open year-round, but shooting instructions are available with professional guides and the pro shop features shotguns (to rent or purchase), ammo, hearing, and vision protection and just about any other apparel or accessory desired. “You can literally show up with no experience or equipment and we can get you outfitted and ready to shoot,” Welborn added.
In addition to its two scenic sporting clays courses, Joshua Creek Ranch also has a wobble trap for “warm-up” shooting and a Huntsman triple-trap “flurry” machine which is great for side games. The Ranch recently purchased a NEW Driven Clays Shooting trap machine that simulates the high-flying action wingshooters typically associate with European-Style Pheasant Drives, Decoyed Mallard Duck Hunts and even Grouse Hunts. With 6 Promatic Matrix throwers featuring various random flushes and flight patterns of live birds, shooters can sharpen their skills and increase proficiencies with high overhead shots, fast crossers and more at strategically selected scenic bluffs around the property.
Joshua Creek Ranch opened in 1990 along the pristine banks of the Guadalupe River north of Boerne.For more than 30 years, this Texas Hill Country Sporting Resort has offered world-class wingshooting, fly-fishing, deer & turkey hunting and shooting sports (like sporting clays) – all complemented by luxury lodging, fine dining and warm Texas hospitality.
Joshua Creek Ranch
132 Cravey Rd.
Boerne, TX 78006
830-537-5090
info@joshuacreek.com
//SA
