This section of our web guide highlights shooting sports, which test accuracy, precision, and speed, whether for competition or recreation.
The shooting sports cover a wide range of activities using a variety of weapons.
These sports have evolved from ancient hunting and warfare practices to modern recreational and competitive activities. The roots of shooting sports can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where archery and spear-throwing were essential skills in hunting and warfare. Archery, one of the oldest forms of shooting, dates back to around 20,000 BC when it was not only a survival skill but a form of entertainment and competition in ancient Egypt and Assyria.
With the advent of firearms in the 13th century, shooting sports expanded to include this new technology. The earliest recorded shooting match occurred in Eichstätt, Bavaria, in 1477, where competitors used matchlock rifles. By the 16th century, target shooting with rifles became popular in Europe, particularly in the Germanic countries. As the technology of firearms evolved, various shooting disciplines were developed.
Shooting sports can be broadly categorized according to the type of weapon used and the nature of the competition.
Archery involves shooting arrows at a target using a bow and arrows. It includes disciplines like target archery, field archery, and 3D archery. Crossbows are a form of archery using a crossbow. Competition crossbows often involve shooting at stationary or moving targets.
Shooting disciplines using a shotgun include trap, skeet, and sporting clays, each involving shooting clay targets launched into the air at varying angles and speeds.
Handgun competitions encompass disciplines like precision pistol shooting, practical shooting, and cowboy action shooting.
Rifle competitions include small-bore and high-power rifle shooting, biathlon, and silhouette shooting. Competitors shoot at targets at various distances, often from different positions. A unique type of rifle competition involves shooting with firearms loaded from the muzzle, emphasizing the use of traditional firearm technology, including flintlocks, percussion cap rifles, and modern in-line muzzleloaders. A typical muzzleloader consists of a barrel, stock, lock mechanism, and sights. The ammunition includes black powder, a projectile (bullet or shot), and a primer or ignition source.
While less common in civilian competitions, machine gun shooting involves firing at targets with fully automatic firearms.
Another niche shooting sport is one in which competitors use slingshots to hit targets, often focusing on accuracy and speed.
Besides the weapon used, competitive shooting disciplines are also defined by the manner in which the contest is conducted, as well as the objectives.
For example, practical shooting tests for speed and accuracy in dynamic courses designed to simulate real-life scenarios. Precision shooting focuses on hitting targets with extreme accuracy. This includes bullseye shooting, bench-rest shooting, and long-range rifle competitions.
Clay target shooting involves shooting at clay targets launched into the air. Trap, skeet, and sporting clays are the primary disciplines in this category.
In silhouette shooting competitions, contestants shoot at metal targets shaped like animals at varying distances. This discipline tests long-range marksmanship.
Biathlon combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Competitors ski between shooting stations and must hit targets with a .22 caliber rifle.
Recreational shooting offers a more relaxed approach to the sport, allowing enthusiasts to enjoy shooting without the pressures of competition. For example, gun owners often practice with handguns or rifles at indoor gun ranges. While gun ranges might also be used in competitive shooting, gun owners often simply enjoy target shooting at the range. Field shooting is similar, only in outdoor settings, often at natural or simulated targets. This can include informal target shoots using a temporary or natural backstop. Plinking is a casual form of recreational shooting where someone shoots at informal targets, like cans, bottles, or steel plates. Road signs might be used as targets in many areas, but I'm pretty sure that's illegal everywhere.
As with several other Sports & Recreation categories, we have elected to include some shooting sports in different categories where we concluded they were more relevant. For example, you will find Paintball as a subcategory of Combat Sports, and Hunting is a subcategory of Outdoors.
Other than these, topics related to shooting sports, including those not mentioned above, are appropriate for this category, or its subcategories. Retail sites should be submitted to the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category, however.
Categories
Air GunsArchery | FirearmsSlingshot |
Recommended Resources
The non-profit membership organization is located in Ashland, Oregon. It offers both firearm and archery shooting opportunities, including rifle ranges of 50, 100, 200, 240, 300, and 340 yard targets each day, 600 yard targets at scheduled shoots, and 50 yard enclosed bays for pistols and rifles, as well as pistol caliber only bays, a law enforcement and training instructor bay, a covered archery sight-in area, two target archery walk-through courses, and 3-D archery target shoots.
https://ashlandgunclub.clubexpress.com/
Located in Wellow, Somerset, England, just south of Bath, Bath Shooting Ground offers a variety of shooting activities, including clay pigeon shooting and archery. The facility provides expert tuition for both beginners and experienced shooters, follows the latest safety guidelines, and offers equipment rentals. It is a member of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association. Directions, an overview of its programs, and group activity days, including online bookings, are available.
https://bathshootingground.co.uk/
Champion Archery & Shooting Club
The Champion Archery & Shooting Club is located in Kirkland, Washington, where they offer a range of activities suitable for all ages and skill levels, including a professional-level archery range with expert coaching, an Olympic air gun shooting range, archery tag, laser games, trap and skeet shooting, and seminars on gun safety, self-defense, hunting knowledge, and other topics which are highlighted here. Membership information, online bookings, and contact data are posted.
https://www.championarcheryshootingclub.com/
Iron Horse Gun and Archery Club
Founded in 1947, the Iron Horse Gun and Archery Club is dedicated to the sports of shooting and archery. Its facility includes target practice areas that offer varying distances to the target. Affiliated with the National Rifle Association (NRA), Iron Horse is an outdoor range in Sicklerville, Camden County, New Jersey. The primary use of the club is for individual shooting by its members and their guests, although there are ongoing organized shooting activities and events.
https://ironhorsegunclub.com/
KGAC is a private, members-only club located in the Bow Valley of Alberta, Canada. Visitors are welcome if accompanied by a member. Since 1954, KGAC has provided safe, family-friendly shooting sports and archery activities, including various courses like the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and dynamic handgun and rifle sessions. Lease hours and rules are stated, and a calendar of events, course information and details, leagues, and annual events are noted, with membership information.
https://www.kgac.ca/
NewZengland Clay Shooting & Archery Services
Offering clay shooting and archery activities in Canterbury, New Zealand, near Methven and the Mt. Hutt Ski Area, NewZengland provides outdoor activities for individuals, groups, and corporate team-building events. Their services are fully mobile, which means they can set up activities at various locations, rain or shine. Besides clay shooting and archery, the business also offers opportunities for the use of air rifles, knife throwing, axe throwing, and mini Olympics.
https://www.newzengland.co.nz/
Triangle Shooting Academy is a large indoor shooting range, retail store, and training facility in Raleigh, North Carolina, offering a wide range of services, including more than thirty different classes for people of all skill levels, from beginners to advanced shooters. They also provide private instruction, range rentals, and special events. The facility includes an archery range, as well as gun ranges that can accommodate anything up to, but excluding 50 BMG.
https://www.triangleshootingacademy.com/
Youth Shooting Sports Alliance
YSSA is an organization designed to introduce young people to shooting sports and hunting safely and responsibly. Founded in 2007 as an offshoot of the National 4-H Youth Shooting Sports program, YSSA provides equipment loans, program supplies, and support to youth shooting programs (including archery) across the country. It also provides leadership in the development and promotion of family-friendly ranges. This video introduces the organization and its programs.
https://www.youthshootingsa.com/
