Escape to the Country
Virtually Escape To Somerset To Learn About The Sport Of Trap Shooting!
Watch Host Jonnie Irwin get a lesson in trap shooting from a local Olympian in the beautiful Somerset countryside!
Countryside shooting has been a pastime in England since the 18th century, when wealthy landowners enjoyed spending afternoons game shooting on their vast properties. For target practice, sport shooters would shoot clay pigeons to be better prepared on actual hunts. This target practice led to the birth of trap shooting, which is now a competitive sport that is included in the Summer Olympics. Trap shooting does not involve shooting any living animals, and instead tests the accuracy, skill, and adaptability of shooters as they aim for clay targets that resemble pigeons.
On this episode of “Escape to the Country,” host Jonnie Irwin pays a visit to Olympian Edward “Ed” Ling at his home and shooting range in Somerset. Ed won a bronze medal in trap shooting at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and also represented Britain at the 2004 and 2012 Summer Olympic Games. Today, Ed owns and operates an Olympic level shooting range in Somerset with his wife and fellow shooting champion, Abbey Burton, where the couple trains themselves and trap shooters of all levels on their Olympic standard range. Watch as Jonnie Irwin tries his own hand at trap shooting in the below clip!
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Of course, Somerset is home to so much more than shooting ranges. The beautiful county is located in Southwest England and is known as the home to a plethora of interesting caves to explore. Highlights include Cheddar Gorge, where tourists can see stalagmites and stalactites, and the Cathedral Chamber, Witch's Kitchen and Witch's Parlour. When visitors return to town, they can refresh themselves with delicious apple cider before checking out Brunel's SS Great Britain, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and the one of the oldest zoos in the world.
In order to see all these sights that Somerset and the rest of Britain have to offer, gun safety must be practiced both at home and abroad to avoid accidental injuries that could end your life or limit your ability to travel. Accidental shootings account for hundreds to thousands of deaths each year, and we would hate to see that happen to you or a loved one. Here at DABL, we want you to have fun safely, whether you are doing target practice at an indoor range, hunting, or trap shooting. Therefore, we gathered 6 gun safety tips to make sure you can try your hand at trap shooting without putting yourself or a loved one in harm’s way.
1.) Always treat the gun like it’s loaded, and never point the gun at anything you don’t intend to shoot.
2.) Never point the gun at another person, even in jest. It won’t be funny when someone gets shot.
3.) Do not let young children have access to guns, and always supervise minors when handling firearms.
4.) Keep the gun unloaded until ready for use, and immediately unload the gun when you are done. Do not store any loaded guns in your home. If found by a guest or child, a loaded gun could accidentally discharge resulting in injury or death. Don’t rely on the gun’s safety to keep it from firing.
5.) Use clear communication when shooting. At shooting ranges, make sure you are aware of your surroundings and what lies in front of and beyond your target. Sometimes, people have to go onto the range to collect or set up targets, and clear communication is crucial to avoiding accidental shootings. Being aware of your surroundings will also help ensure you don’t get confused or trip, causing the gun to fire at an unintended target by mistake.
6.) Learn the mechanics of your gun from a highly knowledgeable friend or instructor. This person will help you learn the proper way to handle your firearm, and will teach you how to load and unload the gun with the right type of ammunition. They will also show you how to ensure the gun’s barrel is clear of blockages that can cause the weapon to malfunction.
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