Clay shooting - with a twist

Te Kopuru looks to be abuzz with gunfire

With around 30,000 clay targets to be shot this weekend at the Marua Sporting Clays club, Te Kopuru looks to be abuzz with gunfire. But these clay targets have a difference. The targets which will be used are made to replicate animals which hunters will shoot for in the appropriate seasons.

The Marua Club is hosting game shooting's North Island, New Zealand and Aussie Trans-Tasman Competitions, and are expecting around 120 competitors - with some coming from as far away as New Caledonia and Samoa.

Club president of Marua Sporting Clays Brent Lawrence said the sport offered shooters a chance to keep their eye in all year round.

"We're set up in a paddock [and] the targets simulate game you might find in the field," Mr Lawrence said about the competitions, which will take place at the club on Redhill Cemetery Road in Te Kopuru.

"Those who are hunters can practise their game shooting so when hunting season comes around their eye is a little more in so to speak. And it's just another option from the traditional options of trap and skeet.

"There are half a dozen hardcore locals who will chase the season in New Zealand - which is part of the reason we offered to host this event, is so we could raise the awareness [of it] up here."

While Mr Lawrence says it will be a hard task for the half of a dozen locals shooting to win, it is just the beginning of the season for Kiwi game shooters.

He said tomorrow was the North Island Championships, which would be shot over 100 rounds, with Saturday and Sunday being the national championships, shot over 200 rounds.

Also taking place on Saturday was the Trans-Tasman battle which would see the five best Kiwis and Australians shooting off over 25 rounds to claim bragging rights.

While very few Northlanders were shooting, it was by choice and there were three game shooting clubs available in Northland - the Marua Sporting Clays, as well as a Maungaturoto and Kaitaia club.

"Word of mouth is usually [how people find out], most people will know someone who knows some and says 'come have a crack at this'."

He said members of the public were welcome to check it out, with food and drink being available.

"If it piques someone's interest, then come have a look," he said.

"Earmuffs will be recommended so protect yourself," Mr Lawrence said, adding that the club was easy to spot when driving down Redhill Cemetery Road.