Spring Shoot Season Is Here: Is Your Trap Setup Ready?

There's a particular feeling that comes with the first warm days of March — the kind that makes you want to break out the shotgun, call up your squad, and get some targets in the air. Spring is the unofficial starting gun for trap shooting season across the country. Whether you're a seasoned competitor, a club manager, a hunter brushing off the off-season rust, or someone curious about the sport for the first time, the question is the same: Is your trap setup actually ready?

At Shotgun Gear LLC, spring is our busiest time of year — and for good reason. Machines that sat through a cold winter need attention. Events are getting booked. New shooters are discovering the sport. And clubs are scrambling to make sure their equipment is dialed in before the season kicks off. This guide will walk you through everything you need to think about before the first clay flies.

Why Spring Is the Most Important Time of Year for Trap Shooters

Shooting season doesn't wait. NSCA and NSSA-registered events start filling the calendar in March and April, corporate shoot events are being locked in, and sporting clay courses across the country are opening their gates. If you're running a club, managing a private course, or planning any kind of trap shooting event — spring preparation isn't optional, it's the difference between a smooth season and an expensive headache.

The good news: getting ready doesn't have to be complicated. It comes down to three things — your equipment, your targets, and your plan.

Step 1: Get Your Promatic Trap Machine Serviced

If your Promatic trap machine has been sitting since late fall, it needs more than a visual inspection before you put it back into rotation. Mechanical wear, environmental exposure, and months of inactivity can affect everything from throwing consistency to overall machine reliability.

Here's what a proper spring service inspection should cover:

• Lubrication of all moving components
• Inspection of the throwing arm and oscillation mechanisms
• Belt and tension checks
• Electrical system and control panel review
• Target loading and feeding system check
• Overall structural inspection for wear or damage from the off-season

At Shotgun Gear, we offer professional Promatic trap machine service and maintenance for machines of all kinds — sporting, trap, and skeet — new and old alike. Our team will inspect, service, and make honest recommendations about what your machine needs going into the season. We also offer annual preventive maintenance programs designed to keep you out of costly emergency repairs and mid-season breakdowns.

Contact us to talk about your options before the season gets away from you.

Step 2: Don't Have the Equipment? Rent It.

Not every shoot requires owning machines. Whether you're planning a corporate event, a charity fundraiser, a wedding party shoot, or a one-day tournament, renting a professional-grade trap setup is often the smartest and most cost-effective option available.

Shotgun Gear operates a fleet of over 60 Promatic machines available for rental across the continental United States. We handle delivery, setup, and on-site support — what we like to call a "shoot in a trailer." You focus on your event; we'll handle the equipment.

Our rental fleet is a great fit for:

• Corporate and team-building events
• Charity and fundraiser shoots
• Wedding and private party experiences
• Club-hosted tournaments and registered events
• Sporting clays events that need additional or specialty machines

Spring books fast. If you have an event on the calendar between now and fall, reach out early to secure your rental dates.

Step 3: Ready to Own? Here's What You Should Know About Buying a Promatic Machine

If you're a club, a private landowner, or a serious shooter who's finally ready to invest in your own trap machine, spring is an excellent time to make that move. Having your equipment in place before the season ramps up means more shooting time, more flexibility, and more value out of your investment right away.

As a Promatic Diamond Dealer, Shotgun Gear sells the full line of Promatic machines — from compact, portable options for private use to high-volume machines built for busy sporting clays courses and registered competitions. We also carry a selection of used and demo machines for buyers who want professional-grade equipment at a reduced investment.

When choosing a machine, a few key factors to think through:

• Volume — How many shooters will it serve per day or per event?
• Target type — Are you throwing standard clays, midi, mini, rabbit, or specialty targets?
• Oscillation needs — Do you need fixed angles, or variable target presentation?
• Power source — Electric, gas, or solar-capable?
• Portability vs. permanent installation — Will the machine move, or does it have a dedicated station?

The right machine depends entirely on your specific setup and goals — and that's a conversation we genuinely enjoy having. Contact us for a no-pressure quote, and we'll help you find the right fit.

A Word From Our Team

"Spring is when the sport comes alive again — and we love being part of that energy. Whether it's getting a club's machines dialed in before their first registered shoot, dropping a rental fleet at a fundraiser, or helping someone find their first machine, this is what we do. We've been in this industry our whole lives, and there's nothing better than the first clays of the season."

— Cyrus & Ashleigh Alexander, Owners, Shotgun Gear LLC

Ashleigh brings a lifetime of competitive shooting experience to everything Shotgun Gear does — including a 3-time National Championship, 3-time World Championship, and 5-time US Open title. When our team makes a recommendation about equipment or course setup, it comes from real experience at the highest levels of the sport.

Bonus: Is It Time to Rethink Your Course Layout?

Spring is also the ideal time to evaluate your course design. A new season is the natural reset point — and if you've been wanting to add stations, reconfigure your 5-stand, expand to a full sporting clays course, or improve target variety for your shooters, now is the time to plan it.

Shotgun Gear has worked with gun clubs and private landowners all over the country on course design and installation. From small private layouts to full-scale sporting clays operations, we bring real-world competitive shooting knowledge to every project. If you're thinking about a course update this spring or summer, let's talk early — planning and logistics take time, and the best projects start with the right conversation.

Spring Season Readiness Checklist

Before the season kicks into full gear, run through this quick checklist:

• Schedule a professional service inspection for your Promatic machines
• Confirm your target supply and loading systems are functioning correctly
• Book your rental equipment early if you have events on the calendar
• Review your course layout and identify any improvements for the new season
• Ensure your target setter or event planning support is lined up
• Check your Google Business Profile and event listings are up to date (clubs)
• Contact Shotgun Gear if you have any questions about equipment, events, or course design

Ready to Get Your Season Started?

Whether you need your Promatic machine serviced, want to rent equipment for an upcoming event, are ready to purchase, or just need advice — Shotgun Gear is here to help. As a Promatic Diamond Dealer with a team that lives and breathes this sport, we're ready to make your spring season the best one yet.

Contact Shotgun Gear today — we look forward to seeing you on the course.