Musketeers Trap: Parent FAQ

It's a monthly youth trap shooting session for ages 10–21, held on the last Sunday of each month from March through October. It's part of the California Musketeers, a 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).

Richard and Ryan Mabanag chair the Musketeers Trap program and lead Trap at 1:00 PM. Lee & Esther Halverson chair the Musketeers Skeet program and lead Skeet at 3:00 PM. All of them are volunteers. They are NRA trained Shotgun Instructors and Range Safety Officers.

See our leaders

Shooters stand in a line of five stations behind a low "trap house." When the shooter calls "Pull!", a clay target flies out of the house, away from the shooter, at an angle they don't know in advance. A round is 25 targets: five shots from each station, then everyone rotates one station to the right.

Yes. Trap is the easiest shotgun sport to start with. Every target goes away from you, so most shots need little or no lead, and all five stations feel alike. That lets new shooters concentrate on safe handling, a consistent gun mount and watching the target.

Many youth shoot two rounds of Trap and then stay for two rounds of Skeet. See the Musketeer Skeet FAQ for more.

Youth ages 10 through 21.

Shotgun is more physically demanding than rifle, because the guns are heavier and have more recoil. We recommend youth be about 12 years old and 100+ lbs, but every child is different. Talk to us if you're unsure.

No. Youth can start Trap at any time. Even so, we recommend that all youth start with our .22LR Benchrest Rifle program to learn basic firearm handling and marksmanship.

No. Hunter education is not required to participate.

No. Membership isn't required for our youth programs. We do encourage families to join, because DRGC dues pay for the training, firearms, range maintenance, ammunition and targets that make these programs possible. Annual dues are very reasonable for the whole family and you can join online.

No. Musketeer activities are free for youth participants. DRGC covers the cost of the clay targets and provides the ammunition, and USI charges no entry or shoot card fee.

The last Sunday of the month (with a couple exceptions), March through October:

New shooters arrive at 12:45 PM, and shooting starts at 1:00 PM on Trap Field #6. Youth usually shoot two rounds of Trap. They're welcome to stay for two rounds of Skeet at 3:00 PM, or to shoot just one round of either. It's your choice. Each event ends when every shooter has had their turn, usually after 1–2 hours.

No season-long sign-up is needed. Come when you can. Please RSVP by email when you plan to come with new participants, so we can have enough loaner guns and helpers ready.

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.

Yes. Musketeers 5-Stand shoots on the last Sunday of the month from November through February. It's for experienced youth only.

• Sign the USI online safety waiver before you come, one for each parent and one for each youth: unitedsportsmen.com/waiver.
• Arrive by 12:45 PM at USI, 4700 Evora Rd, Concord (off Hwy 4).
• 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 Trap Field #6 by 1:00 PM. Look for the leaders in red Diablo shirts and hats.
• Sign the Musketeers attendance sheet once you're on the field. Every youth signs it every time, new or returning.

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.

Every shooter, every time:

• ALWAYS keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction.
• ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until you're ready to shoot.
• ALWAYS keep your action open and your firearm unloaded until you're ready to shoot. Check it, and check it again.

If you bring your own shotgun, please bring it to the field in a case.

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.

Yes. Younger siblings are welcome to watch, but they must wear appropriate eye and ear protection at all times.

• Eye and ear protection for everyone present, including parents and spectators
• Closed-toe shoes and a baseball cap
• No loose clothing or dangling jewelry
• Your own shotgun in a case, if you have one
• Water and sun protection for an afternoon outdoors

Large earmuffs can get in the way of a proper cheek weld on the stock, so a good pair of in-ear plugs usually works best for shotgun. Younger children often like to wear both plugs and muffs when they're starting out.

No. We provide ammunition in both 12 ga and 20 ga for all youth shooters, including those who bring their own shotgun. If you do bring shells, use target loads with size 8 or 9 birdshot. Hunting/game loads and steel shot usually aren't allowed.

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.

Yes. Please bring it in an appropriate case. Semi-autos and over/unders are the most common. A pump-action works fine for Trap (it's harder in Skeet), so if you already have one, bring it and try it.

Trap targets are moving away from you and are usually broken at about 30–40 yards, so trap calls for a tighter choke than skeet, which keeps the shot pattern dense at that distance.

If your shotgun has changeable chokes, bring your choke wrench and we'll help you set it up on the field. That's one more reason we recommend shotguns with changeable chokes.

See the full Shotgun gear & buying guide

Gun fit matters more than brand or type (see the next question). That said, here's what we recommend:

See the full Shotgun gear & buying guide

If your child's eye doesn't line up with the rib, or the stock is too long or too short, good shooting is very hard. A shooter with shorter arms needs a shorter stock, and a smaller, thinner face needs a higher comb. "Youth size" doesn't automatically mean it fits your child. Some tips:

• It's easier to buy a shorter stock and lengthen it with a recoil pad than to cut one down. Professional fitters often charge $250+ and usually want to cut the stock.
• Likewise, it's easier to start with a lower comb and add a cheek pad.
• Adjustable competition stocks exist for many popular models. They're less convenient if several family members share one gun.
• Try before you buy. Shoot a few guns. When the fit is right, it just feels right.

See the full Shotgun gear & buying guide

A parent or guardian makes the purchase. California requires:

• A Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC), a background check and a 10-day waiting period for every firearm purchase. Check the California DOJ for current FSC requirements.
• Guns bought online or out of state must be shipped to a local licensed dealer (FFL). Contact the dealer first and expect transfer fees.
• Ammunition purchases also require a background check and a small fee. Ammo ordered online must ship to a licensed vendor.

Used guns are a great value. Look at local shops' consignment racks, the Calguns.net forums, and gun shows (all transfers still go through an FFL). Families often shop at Canyon Sports in Martinez and Turner's Outdoorsman. Know what you're looking for before you buy.

See the full Shotgun gear & buying guide

Our youth programs take part in the NRA Marksmanship Qualification Program. Leaders track scores and award qualification patches as shooters reach each level. Youth can start the Trap and/or Skeet courses at any time. Each course of fire culminates in the Distinguished Expert (DE) rating.

When a youth earns a Distinguished Expert rating in Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun, DRGC awards them a personalized club jacket. It's AWESOME!

Yes. Competitive youth shooting teams, events and leagues exist in our region. Ask us for more information.