Lee Halverson
Chair, Musketeers Skeet
MUSKETEER SERIES • SHOTGUN
Musketeers Skeet: Youth Shotgun, Ages 10–21
Musketeers Skeet is the Diablo Rod & Gun Club's monthly youth skeet program, a fast, rewarding next step in shotgun sports that beginners can start right away too. In skeet, clay targets cross in front of the shooter from two houses, the High House and the Low House, along the same flight path every time. Shooters move around a half-circle of eight stations, and the challenge is learning the right lead, or how far ahead of each target to swing. That makes skeet a little harder to pick up than trap, where targets simply go away from you. Many of our youth shoot Musketeers Trap at 1:00 PM and then stay for Skeet.
We shoot on the last Sunday of each month from March through October, starting at 3:00 PM on Skeet Field #4 and/or #5 at United Sportsmen, Inc. (USI) in Concord. Experienced volunteer coaches lead every session. Youth-size loaner shotguns are available, and participation is free: the club provides the targets and ammunition, and no membership is required.
Musketeers Skeet is part of the California Musketeers youth shooting program, recognized by the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) and the National Rifle Association (NRA), and funded and run by the Diablo Rod & Gun Club (DRGC).
Part of the California Musketeers youth shooting program.
AT A GLANCE
At a Glance
- Who
- Youth ages 10–21; we recommend about 12 years and 100+ lbs for shotgun. A parent or guardian must be present (not a drop-off activity).
- When
- Last Sunday of the month, March–October, 3:00 PM
- New shooters
- Arrive by 2:45 PM for check-in and the USI safety orientation
- Where
- Skeet Field #4 and/or #5, United Sportsmen, Inc., 4700 Evora Rd, Concord, CA (off Hwy 4)
- Led by
- Lee & Esther Halverson, Chairs Musketeers Skeet
- Bring
- Eye and ear protection, closed-toe shoes, a cap; your own shotgun in a case, if you have one
- Loaners
- 12 ga and 20 ga, semi-auto and over/under; ammo provided
- Cost
- Free for youth; no USI entry fee, and DRGC membership isn't required
- Before you come
- Sign the USI online safety waiver, one for each parent and each youth
SEASON CALENDAR
2027 Season Dates
- March 21
- April 25
- May 30
- June 27
- July 25
- August 29
- September 26
- October 24
Please check the Diablo event calendar before each session and confirm with your leader, because last-minute changes don't always make it onto the calendar.
TWO SHOTGUN SPORTS
Skeet vs. Trap
| Feature | Trap | Skeet |
|---|---|---|
| Target direction | Going away from the shooter | Crossing in front of the shooter |
| Target houses | One, in front of the line | Two (High House and Low House), at each end of the field |
| Angle | Varies, and the shooter doesn't know it in advance | Fixed and known; the same flight path every time |
| Stations | 5, in a straight line | 8: seven in a half-circle, plus Station 8 in the middle |
| Targets per round | 25 singles | 25, mixing singles and doubles |
| Main skill | Reading the angle quickly, with little lead | Learning the lead (aiming ahead) for each station |
| Difficulty to start | Easiest | A little harder, but still beginner-friendly |
| Typical choke | Tighter (Modified/Full) | Open (Skeet/Improved Cylinder) |
| Pump-action shotguns | Work fine | Hard to pump fast enough for doubles |
| Musketeer time | 1:00 PM, Trap Field #6 | 3:00 PM, Skeet Field #4 and/or #5 |
Both are beginner sports. Trap is a slightly easier start, and Skeet teaches the swing-through-and-lead skills that carry over to every shotgun sport. Shoot one, or try both on the same afternoon. It's your choice.
YOUR FIRST VISIT
What Happens on Our First Day?
- Sign the USI online safety waiver before you come, one for each parent and one for each youth: unitedsportsmen.com/waiver.
- Arrive by 2:45 PM at USI, 4700 Evora Rd, Concord (off Hwy 4). If you're joining Trap first, arrive by 12:45 PM instead.
- Sign in at the USI Shotgun clubhouse window. Give your last name so staff can verify your waiver, and tell them you're new for Musketeers Shotgun.
- Complete the USI safety orientation with a Range Safety Officer (RSO) to get your USI shoot card.
- Walk out to the Skeet field by 3:00 PM. Look for Lee in a red Diablo shirt and hat, on Skeet Field #4 or #5.
- Sign the Musketeers attendance sheet once you're on the field. Every youth signs it every time, new or returning.
What is the USI waiver and shoot card?
USI requires a signed safety waiver and a shoot card for everyone using any of its ranges (Shotgun, Public, Multi-Purpose Range and Action Pistol). The online waiver starts the process, and the RSO safety talk finishes it with your card. Each parent and each child needs their own card and must show it at every visit.
PARENTS
Not a Drop-Off Activity
Yes. This is NOT a drop-off activity, and a parent or guardian must be present for the whole session. In shotgun, parents usually don't shoot or coach. Depending on group size, we do ask parents to help with general safety supervision and keeping score.
PHOTO GALLERY
Musketeer Skeet in Action
Photos of our young shooters on the skeet field. Click any photo to enlarge.
PARENT FAQ
Questions Parents Ask Most
What is skeet shooting?
A skeet field has two target houses. The High House is on the left and launches targets from about 10 feet up. The Low House is on the right and launches them from about 3 feet. Targets from both houses fly the same fixed path every time and cross in front of the shooter. Shooters move through eight stations: seven around a half-circle between the houses, plus Station 8 in the middle. A round is 25 targets, mixing singles (one target) and doubles (one from each house at the same time).
What does "learning the leads" mean?
A crossing target is moving sideways, so the shooter has to swing the gun and fire slightly ahead of it. That distance is the lead. In skeet, each station has its own lead: small at the end stations, largest near the middle of the half-circle. Since targets follow the same path every time, youth learn these leads quickly with coaching, and the skill carries over to every other shotgun sport.
Is skeet OK for beginners?
Yes. Skeet is a beginner sport, and youth can start it on their very first visit. It's a little harder to pick up than trap, because trap targets go away from you and need little lead. If your child has never fired a shotgun, starting with Trap at 1:00 PM and then staying for Skeet is a great first afternoon. That's not required, though.
Is my child big enough for shotgun?
Shotgun is more physically demanding than rifle, because the guns are heavier and have more recoil. Skeet also asks shooters to swing the gun smoothly across the field. We recommend youth be about 12 years old and 100+ lbs, but every child is different. Talk to us if you're unsure.
Do we need our own shotgun?
No. We have loaner shotguns in 12 ga and 20 ga, in both semi-auto and over/under. We don't have a left-handed loaner, but most left-handed youth can shoot a right-handed shotgun without much difficulty. If you're new to firearms, we recommend shooting with us and trying a few different guns before you buy.
What if the weather is bad or a session is canceled?
We normally cancel for inclement weather. You can call the USI Shotgun Clubhouse office to ask about current conditions, and the Activity Chair may email active families about last-minute schedule changes. Always check the Diablo event calendar, and confirm with your leader before you drive out, because last-minute changes don't always make it onto the calendar.
KEEP EXPLORING
Go Deeper
Parent FAQ
Musketeers Skeet Parent FAQ
The complete list of questions parents ask, from the first visit to buying a shotgun.
Read more
Gear guide
Shotgun Gear & Buying Guide
Loaners, chokes, what shotgun to buy, gun fit and buying in California.
Read more
Sibling program
Musketeer Trap
Shoot Trap at 1:00 PM on the same Sunday afternoon.
Read more
MUSKETEERS YOUTH PROGRAMS
Other Diablo Musketeers Youth Programs
| Program | When | Where | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardball .22LR Benchrest Rifle & Pistol | 2nd Saturday, 1–5 PM | Multi-Purpose Range (MPR) | Year-round |
| Archery | 3rd Sunday, 1:00 PM | Archery range | Year-round |
| Trap | Last Sunday, about 1:00 PM | Trap Field #6 | March–October |
| Skeet | Last Sunday, about 3:00 PM | Skeet Field #4 and/or #5 | March–October |
| 5-Stand | Last Sunday | Shotgun 5-Stand range | November–February (experienced youth) |
See the Diablo event calendar for dates.
MUSKETEERS SHOTGUN
The Musketeers Shotgun Family
Snapshots of our Musketeers shotgun shooters and leaders.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Meet the Shotgun Leaders
All of our leaders are volunteers. They are NRA-trained Shotgun Instructors and Range Safety Officers.
Musketeers Skeet
Esther Halverson
Chair, Musketeers Skeet (RSO)
Zack Halverson
Musketeers Shotgun
Email the Skeet chairs: [email protected] · [email protected]
Musketeers Trap
Photo coming soon
Richard Mabanag
Chair, Musketeers Trap
Photo coming soon
Ryan Mabanag
Chair, Musketeers Trap
Email the Trap chairs: [email protected] · [email protected]