If you’re looking for a family day out in North Yorkshire that’s a genuine step up from the usual options, clay pigeon shooting might not be the first thing that springs to mind. But for families with older children and teenagers, it’s one of the most engaging, exciting and genuinely memorable activities you can book – and at Straight Shooters near Thirsk, we’ve welcomed hundreds of family groups through our gates.
Here’s everything you need to know before booking a family clay pigeon shooting session.
How Old Do Children Need to Be to Try Clay Pigeon Shooting?
The minimum age for clay pigeon shooting at Straight Shooters is 12 years old. There is no upper age limit, making it a genuinely multi-generational activity – it’s not unusual to see grandparents, parents and teenagers all shooting together on the same visit.
Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout their session. All participants, regardless of age, receive the same full safety briefing from our CPSA qualified instructors before picking up a gun.
Is Clay Pigeon Shooting Safe for Families?
Yes, absolutely. Safety is the absolute priority at Straight Shooters and every session begins with a comprehensive briefing covering safe gun handling, range etiquette and what to expect during the shoot. All necessary safety equipment including ear defenders and eye protection is provided for every member of the group.
Our instructors have decades of combined experience working with shooters of all ages and abilities, including younger participants. They are patient, calm and used to putting nervous first-timers completely at ease before a shot is fired.
Clay pigeon shooting at a registered, supervised ground is a very well regulated activity. No shotgun licence is required for any member of the family when shooting under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
What Happens on a Family Clay Pigeon Shooting Session?
When your family arrives at Straight Shooters, here’s what to expect:
- A warm welcome and introduction to the ground
- A full safety briefing for all participants from a CPSA qualified instructor
- Gun fitting and eye dominance check for each shooter
- Your session on the clay ground with expert guidance throughout
- Tea or coffee included
Everything is provided on the day. There’s no need to bring any equipment, and no prior experience is needed from any member of the family. Our instructors are experienced at working with mixed ability groups and will tailor the session to suit everyone present.
Which Session is Best for a Family Day Out?
Taster Session – £30 per person (approx. 30 minutes) A great option if you’re trying shooting for the first time as a family and want to keep things light. Each person gets 15 clays and cartridges, full instruction and all equipment.
Standard Lesson – £75 per person (approx. 45 minutes) More time on the ground with 25 clays each. Ideal if you want a proper family experience with time to develop your technique.
Standard Lesson – £100 per person (approx. 1 hour) The most popular option for family groups. 50 clays each gives everyone plenty of time to find their rhythm and start hitting targets consistently.
All sessions are booked per person and include gun hire, cartridges, targets, instruction and refreshments.
Why Clay Pigeon Shooting Works So Well as a Family Activity
A few reasons why families tend to have such a good time at Straight Shooters:
It levels the playing field. Unlike many competitive family activities, clay pigeon shooting doesn’t favour the strongest, fastest or most athletic. Technique, focus and concentration matter more than physical ability, which means children can genuinely compete with adults from early on. Nothing beats the look on a teenager’s face when they outscore their parents.
Everyone improves quickly. First-time shooters often surprise themselves with how quickly they start hitting targets. Our instructors are brilliant at identifying what each individual needs to work on and the improvement during a single session can be dramatic. That sense of progression keeps everyone engaged throughout.
It gets everyone off their phones. A clay pigeon shooting session demands full attention from start to finish. For families looking for an activity that genuinely brings everyone into the moment together, it’s hard to beat.
It’s a proper talking point. Long after the session is over, a family clay pigeon shooting day tends to stay in the conversation. It’s the kind of experience that gets retold at family gatherings, not forgotten by the following weekend.
All-Weather – Whatever Yorkshire Decides to Do
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Straight Shooters for a family day out is our all-weather covered facility. Unlike many outdoor shooting grounds across Yorkshire, our covered stands and log burning stove mean your session goes ahead regardless of the forecast.
For families planning a day out in advance, this is genuinely valuable. You can book with confidence knowing a Yorkshire downpour won’t send everyone home disappointed.
Where Are We and How Do We Get There?
Straight Shooters is located at The Old Services, Rainton, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3PZ. We’re easily accessible from across the region:
- York – approximately 25 miles, 25 to 30 minutes via the A19
- Harrogate – approximately 20 miles, around 30 minutes
- Northallerton – approximately 8 miles, around 15 minutes
- Ripon – approximately 12 miles, around 20 minutes
- Middlesbrough – approximately 30 miles, around 35 minutes
Ample free parking is available on site.
Frequently Asked Questions About Family Clay Pigeon Shooting
What age can children start clay pigeon shooting? The minimum age at Straight Shooters is 12 years old. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout.
Do we need a shotgun licence? No. No licence is required for any member of the family when shooting under the supervision of a qualified instructor at a registered shooting ground.
Does my child need to be a certain size or weight? Our instructors will assess gun fit for every participant individually. If a younger or smaller participant isn’t suited to a full-size shotgun our instructors will advise on the day.
How long does a family session last? Depending on the session chosen, between 30 minutes and 1 hour per person. For a family of four all shooting at the same time, allow a couple of hours for the full experience including safety briefing and refreshments.
Do we need to book in advance? Yes. All sessions at Straight Shooters must be pre-booked. Walk-ins cannot be accommodated. Book online or call us on 01845 522234.
Is there somewhere to wait if not everyone is shooting at the same time? Yes. Our covered facility has a comfortable waiting area so family members can watch and cheer on the shooters whatever the weather.
How to Book a Family Clay Pigeon Shooting Day Out
All sessions must be pre-booked either online or by phone. Once your deposit is paid simply get in touch to arrange your preferred date and time.
Straight Shooters Ltd The Old Services, Rainton, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 3PZ Tel: 01845 522234 Email: contact@straightshooters.org.uk
For more information on our beginner sessions visit our Beginners Shooting Lessons page. If you’re travelling from York, find out more on our clay pigeon shooting near York page.