When it comes to healthy outdoor activities, there’s nothing like a day of clay shooting. The combination of fresh air, sunshine and exercise is just what the doctor ordered. And then there’s the stress relief of smashing targets into tiny little bits. Benefits for the body and mind. Celebrate the end of a long winter indoors by heading to the range with some of the latest clay-breaking gear.
WILD HARE DELUXE COMPETITION RANGE BACKPACK
For hands-free transportation of everything you’d need for a day of shooting, there is the Wild Hare Deluxe Competition Range Backpack. Made of quilted, reinforced fabric for protection and durability, the backpack has comfortable shoulder straps, a padded waist belt and back pads. The large main compartment has internal organizer pockets and external MOLLE attachments, and side pockets will accommodate shooting glasses, choke tubes and other accessories. There is also an insulated drink holder, an internal compartment for a hydration bladder (not included) and a separate pocket containing a waterproof rain cover. The lower ammo compartment will hold 8 boxes of 12-gauge shells.
Dimensions: 19" (w) x 21" (h) x 9½" (d).
Weight: 5 pounds. Color: Black.
Price: $130.
PYRAMEX VENTURE GEAR AMPBT ELECTRONIC BLUETOOTH EARMUFF
If you want to hear the sound of the trap but aren’t fond of the damage gunfire can do to your hearing, Pyramex offers its Venture Gear AmpBT Electronic Bluetooth Earmuff. Using 4 microphones, the earmuff amplifies sounds that you want to hear, and then uses Rapid Noise Suppression technology to compress harmful sounds (exceeding 85 dB) to safe levels. The AmpBT earmuff, which has a Noise Reduction Rating of 26 dB, also offers Bluetooth connectivity and has an AUX input. There is an easy on-off/volume-control switch and a cushioned headband and rubberized ear cups for comfort. The earmuff is powered by 2 AAA batteries (included) and shuts off automatically after 4 hours.
Colors: Desert Tan (shown), Urban Gray and Black.
Price: $120.
KEVIN’S ENGLISH CANVAS GUN SLIP
Shooters who like to tote their guns in style will appreciate Kevin’s English Canvas Gun Slip. This traditional case has a canvas exterior with English saddle leather trim and a merino wool interior. It will hold guns with up to 30” barrels. There is a leather carrying handle, a removable shoulder strap and a cinch strap with solid-brass buckle.
Color: Olive.
Overall length: 50".
Price: $129.
DO ALL OUTDOORS CLAY CANNON
For more casual shooting sessions, the Do All Outdoors Clay Cannon is one of the most fun clay pigeon launchers to come along in years. Made of plastic, this handheld device will throw mini, midi and standard targets in a variety of ways—from singles to stacked or nested clays to birds sitting side by side. The spring-powered Clay Cannon weighs less than 5 pounds and is easy to operate: Just cock the throwing arm, engage the safety, “load” the device with a target, click off the safety, aim and pull the trigger. It’s like a gun that shoots clays. Literally.
Colors: black & gray and gray & orange.
Price: $80.
WHITE FLYER BLACKOUT TARGETS
Replacing the company’s Biodegradable targets for trap, skeet or sporting clays, White Flyer’s BLACKOUT targets are made with an “improved black composition” and held to the same performance requirements as standard pitch targets. They are said to function in both hand-set and automatic traps. Targets are available in a variety of color schemes. For example, the Sporter 108mm—designed specifically for the longer throwing distances and faster speeds of sporting clays (versus trap and skeet)—comes in all black, all orange, and with an orange dome (shown). The Midi 90mm comes in all black and all orange.
Price: $10 for 90 targets, $15 for 135.
BERETTA DT11 MICRO-SUEDE VEST
A shooting vest has to be comfortable and allow a full range of motion, and Beretta’s DT11 Micro-suede Vest fills the bill. With soft micro-suede on both front shoulders, elastic inserts on the sides and a mesh back for ventilation, the vest offers all-day comfort even in warm weather. Expandable front pockets hold shells, an inner security pocket holds valuables, and pockets inside each shoulder hold recoil reducers (not included). There is also a rear pocket for hulls or other gear and snap tabs for earmuffs or a towel. Colors: Dark Olive (shown), Navy, and Black & Gray. Sizes: S through XXXL. Price: $129.