Links

Good places to learn more.

Hand-picked resources for new and returning trap shooters. Start with safety, then work down the list.

Safety

Read these first. Every trap line runs on the same few safety habits.

ATA Official RulebookThe Amateur Trapshooting Association's rules. The Safety section covers one shell at a time, open actions and eye and ear protection. Long PDF.shootata.com
Intro to Registered Trapshooting (ATA booklet)A short, plain gun-safety section from the sport's governing body, plus a friendly walk-through of the sport.shootata.com
Trap shooting etiquette, Lee Kay Public Shooting RangeUtah's wildlife agency lists the do's and don'ts of a trap line in plain words. Not Oregon, but the habits are the same.wildlife.utah.gov
Hunter and Bowhunter Safety Education (ODFW)Oregon's firearm safety course. It is a hunting program, but a good foundation for anyone handling a gun.myodfw.com

What to expect on your first day.

How to start trap shooting (our guide)How a round works, what to bring, the safety rules and your first round, step by step.sandyshotgunclub.com
Master the Basics of Trap Shooting (NSSF Let's Go Shooting)The shooting industry's own beginner page: what a first trap session looks like and the basic kit.letsgoshooting.org
Trap Shooting: A Beginner's Guide (Outdoor Life)A thorough magazine guide: gauge, loads, where to hold the gun, how fast the targets fly.outdoorlife.com
How to Shoot Trap (Remington)A short walk-through from an ammunition maker.remington.com
Trapshooting Overview (ATA)The governing body's one-page summary of the sport.shootata.com

Once you have a few rounds in, these help you break more targets.

Trap Shooting Tips with the Bartholow Brothers (Browning)Hold points for each post, and why to pattern your gun.browning.com
The Big Five Wingshooting Mistakes (Ducks Unlimited)Written for bird hunters, but lifting your head and staring at the bead cost trap shooters targets too.ducks.org
How to Determine Eye Dominance for Shooting (Orvis)A two-minute test to find your dominant eye.orvis.com
Credentialed ATA CoachingThe ATA's page on coaches with ATA credentials, for when you want real lessons.shootata.com

You need less than you think: a 12 or 20 gauge, target loads, eye and ear protection.

Trap Shooting: A Beginner's Guide (Outdoor Life)Gauge, how heavy a load, and what shot size to buy.outdoorlife.com
Trap Shooting Tips with the Bartholow Brothers (Browning)Choosing a choke for trap.browning.com
ATA Official Rulebook: guns and ammunitionThe limits: 12 gauge or smaller, no more than 1⅛ ounces of shot, nothing bigger than No. 7½.shootata.com

For when you want to shoot a registered round or a tournament.

Trapshooting Terminology (ATA)The ATA's glossary of trap terms.shootata.com
Intro to Registered Trapshooting (ATA booklet)Classification, handicap yardage and squadding, in plain language.shootata.com
Youth Shooting (ATA)The ATA's youth page, including AIM, its official youth program.shootata.com
The Parent's Guide to AIMYouth age categories and how a young shooter joins.aim4ata.com
2026 ATA State and Provincial ShootsDates and hosts for every state shoot, Oregon's included.shootata.com

Shooting & archery ranges (ODFW)Oregon's map of shooting ranges around the state.myodfw.com