When closing down the trap, skeet, or 5-stand houses at the end of a shoot or league night, properly filling and securing the automatic throwers is critical for keeping the machines in good working order and ensuring they are ready for the next group of shooters. The Club relys on its members filling the house as one of the ways to keep the shooting costs down. With the ability to shoot when you desire, comes the responsiblity to understand and prepare the equipment for the next group of shooter.
Here is a standard checklist and best practice guide for filling and closing down target houses.
1. Safety First (Crucial Step)
Before anyone puts their hands inside a trap or skeet house to load targets, the machine must be rendered safe.
- Disarm/Uncock: Flip the toggle switch to the “Disarm” or “Release” position to safely fire the throwing arm forward without launching a target.
- Power Off: Once the arm is uncocked, turn the main power switch to OFF.
⚠️ Never load targets into a machine while the throwing arm is cocked or the power is switched on. One accidental trip of the arm can cause severe injury.
2. Filling the Carousels
Once the machine is fully powered down and safe, you can replenish the target supply so it’s ready for the next shooter.
- Inspect for Debris: Check the bottom of the carousel and the launch plate for any broken target pieces, dust, or moisture. Wipe or clear it out before loading fresh birds.
- Load Evenly: Fill the columns of the carousel. Avoid overfilling past the maximum height line recommended by the manufacturer (usually leaving about an inch of clearance at the top of the rods) to prevent targets from binding or tipping over.
- Check Target Quality: Discard any cracked or chipped targets as you load them. Damaged targets will almost certainly break on the throwing plate, causing jams for the next group of shooters.
Post-Shutdown Log
| Item | Requirement | Verification |
| Arm Status | Fired / Relaxed (No Tension) | Verified ☐ |
| Power Status | Disconnected / Isolated | Verified ☐ |
| Target Status | Carousels filled / No broken birds | Verified ☐ |
| House Status | Ports closed / Doors double-locked | Verified ☐ |
💡Shooter Reminder: If a machine experienced throwing errors, frequent breakage, or electrical issues during the shift, do not leave it for the next shooters. Note the field/house number and report it immediately to the Club Management.
