Shooting is a popular sport in many countries. People interested in shooting may enjoy game shooting or competition shooting. Usually, a license is necessary to carry or use a shotgun and another to shoot game.
Game shooting.
In many countries, strict laws govern the times of the year during which birds and animals may be shot.
Shooting seasons.
Periods when shooting is not allowed are called close seasons, and differ for the various species. Periods when shooting is allowed are called open seasons. Without a close season, most species of game would be extinct within a few years. In some areas, called game preserves, shooting is entirely prohibited, except that gamekeepers are allowed to control harmful birds that steal large numbers of eggs and kill young game birds and songbirds.
Shotguns are the traditional guns for shooting game. Hunters use them mainly for shooting at birds in flight.
Competition shooting.
Many people take a keen interest in competition shooting. In full-bore, small-bore, and pistol shooting, a competitor shoots at a paper target, divided into four concentric circles, each of which counts for a different score. From the center out they are: bull’s-eye, 5 points; inner, 4 points; magpie, 3 points; and outer, 2 points. In clay pigeon shooting, a competitor uses a shotgun to shoot at a clay disk as it flies through the air.
Full-bore shooting
includes shooting with any of three kinds of rifles—service rifles, match rifles, and sporting rifles.
Small-bore shooting
can be done outdoors or indoors. Outdoors, competitors shoot at ranges up to 90 meters (295 feet). Indoor ranges are 14 or 23 meters (46 or 75 feet) long. A small-bore rifle may be of any caliber not exceeding 5.5 millimeters (0.22 inch).
Pistol shooting
is rapidly gaining popularity. A 0.22 pistol is any single-shot or semiautomatic pistol that fires 0.22-inch (5.6-millimeter) cartridges. The barrel length, including the cylinder, must not be more than 10 inches (254 millimeters). The pistol’s sights may be adjustable. A free pistol is the same as a 0.22 pistol, but there are no restrictions on the barrel or type of sight.
Clay pigeon shooting, or trapshooting,
competitions normally take place between the game-shooting seasons. A clay pigeon is a circular disk 4 inches (101.5 millimeters) in diameter made of a pitch compound. A trapper operates a spring-loaded mechanical arm, called a trap, that throws the clay “bird” into the air. Competitors take turns shooting. A related sport is called skeet shooting.
See also Firearm; Gun; Trapshooting.
