Top Ten Reasons Why Men Shoot Sporting Clays

    I'm sure the topic of why men shoot sporting clays has been discussed before.  I'm also sure women wonder why men do anything they do.  I didn't include women in this article because it's impossible for men to talk for women, let alone figure them out.  This discussion could apply to many other activities like golf, fishing, hunting, or even stamp collecting.  Some of the items on my list could overlap with others, but here it goes.

1. Genetic-  Does the male Y chromosome contain a gene that makes us competitive? As I mentioned in an earlier post, in early times, some men were better hunter-gatherers than they were crop tenders, or herders. 
2. Risk Taking-  This item may relate to number 1, but I felt it should be considered separately.  Shooting sports are dangerous if not done carefully. 
3. Exercise-  Walking between stations is good exercise, unless you have a friend who has a golf cart.  It is not a lot of exercise getting in and out of a cart.  Ha.

4. Competition- Men receive personal satisfaction, a "high", showing their prowess in the presence of other shooters.
5. Family-  Many men were introduced to shooting by a family member and relish the memories of these people and events.
6. Social -  Shooting sporting clays provides men an opportunity to meet others and make strong, lasting relationships.
7. Mental Release (Relaxation)-  Every man needs a way to escape the pressures of work, family life, or political realities.  I have noticed that breaking targets may relieve aggressive feelings in men.  Nobody cares if you totally kill or destroy the target.
8. Problem Solving-  Sporting clays provides a myriad of challenges of which gun, which ammunition, which positioning techniques, or which mental posturing works best.  Shooters either consciously or subconsciously work on these challenges each time they shoot.  I have to admit these challenges keep me coming back to the course each week.
9. Self-Esteem-  Sporting clays provides a man with an opportunity to "stand out" and be noticed.  Being physically fit and healthy probably could make the shooter better, but it is not as essential as in other competitive sports.  (I say that because I do look in the mirror.)  Sporting clays is also more age independent than other sports.  Men admire older men who can still shoot well.
10. Discipline-  Shooting sporting clays (successfully) requires that a shooter uses the same techniques over and over, plans, plots, and tests.  Mental discipline is equally important.  Have you ever had to shoot a round quickly to get home for an appointment?  You usually don't have a good day.

    I hope you like this list and it is different from others that you have read.  It was very difficult to define precisely the differences between each of the ten categories.  Perhaps I could sum it all up and say sporting clays is fun and these ten categories define having fun for men.  Have I left out some important ideas that you have?  How would you rank them?

“If you're not making mistakes, you're not taking risks, and that means you're not going anywhere. The key is to make mistakes faster than the competition, so you have more changes to learn and win.”
 John W. Holt