Prairie State Wire

Youth aged 10 to 17 have the opportunity to participate in a wingshooting clinic on Saturday, April 5, at the James Orlandini Foundation site in Springfield. The event is aimed at beginners or novices interested in learning or improving their shotgun shooting skills.

The clinic will commence with a shotgun safety presentation at 11:00 a.m., followed by an orientation session conducted by certified instructors from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) or the National Sporting Clays Association. Participants will then engage in field practice, shooting clay targets until approximately 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

"The clinic is designed for youth ages 10 to 17 and their parents or guardians interested in learning to shoot or improving their ability to shoot a shotgun at moving clay targets," organizers stated. They emphasized that participants will not only learn safety and handling but also discover the enjoyment of shooting clay targets.

The event is sponsored by the James Orlandini Foundation, the Illinois Conservation Foundation, and IDNR. These organizations contribute volunteers and funding for materials such as clay targets and shotshells.

Further information on registration can be found on the IDNR website under the 2025 wingshooting calendar.