How to Set Up a Basic Skeet Course

Skeet shooting has been a popular pastime since the 1700s. Shooting skeet began as practice for bird hunting, but it soon became a sport itself. Originally, live birds and sometimes hats were used as targets. Years later, clay discs replaced the birds and hats, becoming the more humane, cost-effective kind of target. Today, sportsmen join skeet shooting clubs and courses to enjoy the sport; however, with an open tract of land, some careful measuring and a passion for the sport, you can make and enjoy your own basic skeet course.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 skeet traps
  • 7 flagged markers
  • Measuring wheel
  • Spray paint
  • Stake
  • Supply of clay discs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use the measuring wheel to measure a 42-yard line. Mark the beginning and end of the distance with a flagged marker. The flagged markers will later be used to indicate shooting stations.

    • 2

      Find the center of the line and mark it with the stake. This is the skeet course's center point. Use the measuring wheel to make a 21-yard line extending perpendicular from the center of the 42-yard line. Mark the end of the 21-yard line with a flagged marker.

    • 3

      Create a half-circle with the rest of the flagged markers. Place two markers evenly spaced on an arc between the beginning of the 42-yard line and the end of the 21-yard. Place the other two markers evenly spaced along an arc between the end of the 42-yard line and the end of the 21-yard line. Each of the markers along the half-circle should be 21 yards from the center point; this will give the course its half-circle shape and seven stations.

    • 4

      Each of the markers indicates a station from where a person can shoot. At the two stations on either end of the half-circle -- the two stations at either end of the original 42-yard line -- place a skeet trap, the machine that will throw the clay discs.

    • 5

      Load the skeet traps with clay discs, and then enjoy practicing shooting skeet from any of the seven shooting stations.