Photo coming soon
Richard Mabanag
Chair, Musketeers Trap
MUSKETEER SERIES • SHOTGUN
Musketeers Trap: Youth Shotgun, Ages 10–21
Musketeers Trap is the Diablo Rod & Gun Club's monthly youth trap program, and it's the easiest place for a young shooter to start with a shotgun. In trap, every clay target flies away from the shooter from a single house in front of the line, at an angle the shooter doesn't know in advance. New shooters can focus on safe gun handling, a consistent gun mount and keeping their eyes on the target, instead of working out big leads.
We shoot on the last Sunday of each month from March through October, starting at 1:00 PM usually on Trap Field #6 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 Trap 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, 1:00 PM
- New shooters
- Arrive by 12:45 PM for check-in and the USI safety orientation
- Where
- Trap Field #6, United Sportsmen, Inc., 4700 Evora Rd, Concord, CA (off Hwy 4)
- Led by
- Richard & Ryan Mabanag, Chairs Musketeers Trap
- 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.
NEW TO SHOTGUN?
Why Start With Trap?
Trap is the gentlest way into shotgun sports. Targets leave from one spot and go away from you, so most shots need little or no lead. You shoot a short line of five stations, five shots at each, and every station feels alike. Once a youth is comfortable in trap, many stay for Musketeers Skeet at 3:00 PM the same afternoon to take on the crossing targets.
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 (two targets at once) |
| 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 |
| 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 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.
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 Trap in Action
Photos of our young shooters on the trap field. Click any photo to enlarge.
PARENT FAQ
Questions Parents Ask Most
What is trap shooting?
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.
Is trap good for beginners?
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.
Is my child big enough for shotgun?
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.
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.
Do we have to be Diablo Rod & Gun Club members?
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.
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 Trap 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 Skeet
Shoot Skeet at 3:00 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 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 Trap
Photo coming soon
Ryan Mabanag
Chair, Musketeers Trap
Email the Trap chairs: [email protected] · [email protected]
Musketeers Skeet
Lee Halverson
Chair, Musketeers Skeet
Esther Halverson
Chair, Musketeers Skeet (RSO)
Zack Halverson
Musketeers Shotgun
Email the Skeet chairs: [email protected] · [email protected]