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● USACTL 2026 Spring Season — Record participation nationwide ● Mason Smithey (Wapakoneta) — 25 Straight · Coaches Award Winner ● Beretta 688 competition series — New for 2026 ● USA Shooting Youth Nationals — Registration open · Fall 2026
Never done this before? Perfect. You're in the right place.

Your Family's Guide to
Clay Target Sports

Maybe your kid came home from a friend's house talking about trap shooting. Maybe you saw a sign at the county fair. Maybe you have no idea what sporting clays even is. That's completely fine — this page is written for exactly you. We'll walk you through everything, step by step, with no assumptions and no jargon.

The short version: clay target sports are safe, inclusive, surprisingly affordable to start, and one of the most character-building youth sports in America. Thousands of families just like yours joined last year. Here's how they did it.

Show Me How to Start → What Does It Cost?

Pick Your Discipline

🎯
Trap
The most common USACTL discipline. Shooters stand 16 yards behind a house that throws clay targets away from the shooter. 5 shooting positions, 25 targets per round. Great starting point for beginners.
Best for Beginners
🌿
Sporting Clays
Called the "golf of shooting sports." Courses feature 10–15 stations with different target presentations mimicking real game birds. Every course is different. Requires versatility and range judgment.
Most Varied
💨
Skeet
Two houses — high and low — throw targets that cross in the center of a semicircular field. Shooters rotate through 8 stations. Known for fast crossing birds and developing quick gun-mount skills.
Most Technical

5 Steps to Join a USACTL Team

1
Find a Team in Your State
Visit usactl.com and use the Team Finder tool. USACTL operates in all 50 states through state-level leagues. Search by zip code to find the closest team. Many high schools have their own team — check with your school's activities office too.
💡 Tip: No team at your school? You can often join as an individual participant through a nearby community or gun club team.
2
Contact the Team Coach
USACTL team pages list the head coach's contact info. Reach out by email or phone. Most coaches are incredibly welcoming to new participants regardless of experience. Ask about tryout dates, practice schedules, and what the first session looks like.
💡 Most coaches will let you attend a practice first — just to watch and try — before you commit to anything.
3
Get Your Safety Certification
All USACTL participants complete a mandatory safety course before their first competition. The course covers safe gun handling, range etiquette, and basic shooting technique. It typically takes 2–3 hours and is available online or in-person through USACTL.
💡 This is non-negotiable and protects everyone on the range. Parents often complete it alongside their kids.
4
Gear Up (Minimal to Start)
You don't need to own a shotgun to start. Most teams have loaner guns for beginners during practice. The absolute minimum you need from day one is hearing protection and eye protection. Everything else comes later.
💡 See our Gear Guide and the Cost Breakdown below before spending a dime.
5
Register and Compete
USACTL has spring and fall seasons. Register online through your state league portal. League fees vary by state but typically run $25–$75 per season per athlete. Your first competition round will be one of the best days you've ever had.
💡 The spring season typically runs February–May. Fall runs September–November. Both culminate in state and national championships.

About USACTL

USA Clay Target League — the largest youth clay target sports organization in the world

100K+
Athlete Members
4,500+
Teams Nationwide
50
States Active
99%
Safety Record

USACTL is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, fun, and inclusive environment for student athletes to participate in trap, skeet, and sporting clays. Founded in Minnesota, it has expanded to become the world's largest youth clay target program.

Visit USACTL.com →
🗓️ Season Calendar
Spring SeasonFeb – May
State ChampionshipsMay – Jun
Fall SeasonSep – Nov
NationalsJul / Dec
📍 Other Paths In
  • • 4-H Shooting Sports — Community-based, open to all ages
  • • NSCA Youth — National Sporting Clays Association youth program
  • • USA Shooting Junior Olympic — Path to national and Olympic competition
  • • Local Gun Clubs — Most welcome juniors with adult supervision

What Gear Do You Need?

Full Gear Reviews →

Good news: clay target sports are one of the most accessible competitive sports you can enter. You don't need to own anything to try it — most USACTL teams have loaner guns. Here's what you'll eventually need:

🔊
Hearing Protection REQUIRED
Electronic ear muffs (recommended) or foam earplugs. Get proper NRR-rated protection. Peltor, Howard Leight, or Walker's are popular brands starting around $15–$100.
👓
Shooting Glasses REQUIRED
ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses with a lens tint for clay target contrast. Yellow or orange tints are popular. Decot, Randolph, and Wiley X are trusted brands.
🔫
Shotgun GET AFTER FIRST SEASON
Start with a loaner. When ready to buy: 12 or 20 gauge for youth. Over/under (O/U) is preferred for competition. Budget $400–$2,000+ depending on model.
🎒
Shell Pouch or Vest OPTIONAL
A simple shell pouch or trap vest to carry your shells and extra chokes. Under $30 for basics. Very convenient at a real meet.
🧴
Gun Cleaning Kit ONCE YOU OWN A GUN
Basic bore brush, patches, and CLP (cleaner/lube/protectant). Clean after every 3–5 range sessions. Otis and Hoppe's make solid starter kits for $20–$40.
Pro tip for parents: Don't buy a shotgun until your child has completed at least one full season with a team loaner. This way you know the sport will stick, you'll understand what the coach recommends, and the athlete's body will tell you if 12ga or 20ga is better for their size.
Youth Shotgun Fit Tips
  • ✓ Length of Pull (LOP) should allow the trigger finger to be on the trigger with slight elbow bend
  • ✓ Youth models typically have a 12–13" LOP vs adult 14–14.5"
  • ✓ 20 gauge is lighter and reduces recoil for smaller athletes
  • ✓ Over/under (O/U) is the gold standard for competition — two shots, two barrels
  • ✓ Have a gunsmith fit the stock to your athlete before their first season with a new gun
See Full Gear Reviews →

Cost Breakdown

Clay target sports can be as affordable or as premium as you want. Here's an honest look at what it costs to get a youth athlete into their first USACTL season and beyond.

Item Notes Cost Range
USACTL Season Registration Per athlete per season. Varies by state. $25 – $75
Hearing Protection Required. Electronic muffs are best. $15 – $100
Shooting Glasses Required. Safety-rated lenses. $20 – $80
Shotgun Shell Ammo ~100–200 shells per week at practice. Typically #7.5 or #8 target loads. $10 – $15/box
Target/Range Fees Per round (25 targets). Many clubs offer team discounts. $5 – $15/round
Entry-Level Shotgun Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Beretta A300. Great starters. $350 – $600
Mid-Range O/U Shotgun Browning CX, Beretta A300 Outlander. Better for competition. $600 – $1,400
Competition O/U Shotgun Browning Citori, Beretta 686/688. Long-term investment. $1,400 – $3,500+
Shell Pouch / Vest Optional but convenient. $15 – $60
Season Total (First Year, Basic) League fees + ear/eye protection + loaner gun + 8 weeks of ammo + range fees ~$200 – $400

Prices approximate and market-dependent. Ammo costs vary significantly by region and supply. Many teams have scholarship and loaner programs — always ask.

💰 Keep It Cheap to Start

Your kid does not need a $3,000 shotgun to have an incredible first season. USACTL was built around accessibility. Many state champions have started with a $400 pump gun and a pair of foam earplugs.

🤝 Financial Assistance
  • → USACTL Scholarship Fund — merit and need-based awards
  • → NRA Youth Programs — equipment grants available
  • → State Wildlife Agencies — many offer youth shooting stipends
  • → Team Loaner Programs — ask your local coach
  • → 4-H Shooting Sports — often heavily subsidized
📦 Starter Kit (Under $100)
  • ✓ Howard Leight Impact Sport ear muffs — ~$45
  • ✓ Pyramex safety glasses (orange tint) — ~$12
  • ✓ Canvas shell bag — ~$18
  • ✓ 1 box of Federal Top Gun 7.5 ammo — ~$14
Total: ~$89 to walk onto the line for your first day