TRAP SHOOTING

Buckhorn Gun Club — Trap Shooting in Mebane, North Carolina

A Traditional Trap Shooting Club in Central North Carolina

Buckhorn Gun Club, also listed as Buckhorn Rifle & Pistol Club, is located in Mebane, North Carolina, making it a convenient clay target shooting destination for folks coming from Burlington, Durham, Chapel Hill, Greensboro, and the surrounding central NC area. While the club has multiple shooting facilities, the visitor-friendly activity to focus on here is trap shooting.

According to the club listing, Buckhorn has 4 trap fields equipped with Pat-Traps and ERAD voice release. Trap is listed as Member/Public, meaning it is one of the shotgun activities available during public/open shooting times. Rifle and pistol access is listed differently as Member/Guest, so visitors should understand that the public-facing opportunity is centered on clay target shotgun shooting rather than general walk-in rifle or pistol range use.

What Is Trap Shooting?

Trap shooting is a shotgun sport where clay targets are launched from a trap house positioned in front of the shooter. The targets generally fly away from the shooter at varying angles, and the goal is to break the clay in the air before it gets too far downrange.

Compared with skeet, where targets cross from side to side, trap focuses more on outgoing targets and quick reaction. It is a great sport for practicing focus, timing, follow-through, and consistency. It is easy enough for a new shooter to understand, but challenging enough that experienced shooters can spend years improving their scores.

What Makes Trap Shooting at Buckhorn Special

Buckhorn’s biggest clay target strength is its 4 trap fields, which gives the club a strong setup for regular trap shooting, open shooting, and organized events. The fields are equipped with Pat-Traps, which are widely used automatic trap machines designed to throw consistent clay targets for trap shooters.

The club also uses ERAD voice release, meaning the target can be launched automatically when the shooter calls “pull.” That helps keep the round moving smoothly and gives shooters a more natural rhythm because they do not have to wait on a manual puller.

Another important detail is that new shooters are welcome, and instruction is available. That makes Buckhorn approachable for someone who wants to learn trap shooting but does not yet know the rules, rotation, or safety procedures. Instead of walking in cold, new shooters can ask questions, get guidance, and ease into the sport.

The club also has 1 lighted field, which helps support evening shooting opportunities, especially during Wednesday night open shooting.

Operating Season & Hours

Buckhorn’s listed open shooting schedule is:

Wednesday nights
Saturday at 1:00 PM
Sunday at 1:00 PM

These are the key times for visitors because trap is listed as Member/Public, and new shooters are welcome during open shooting. The club appears to operate year-round, but availability can still depend on weather, holidays, registered shoots, club events, and maintenance.

Because Buckhorn is a traditional club rather than a commercial walk-in attraction, it’s best to confirm the schedule before driving out, especially if you are traveling from outside the Mebane area.

Prices for Trap Shooting

The available listing does not clearly publish current trap target fees or guest pricing, so visitors should confirm costs directly before going.

Guests should be prepared for a traditional clay-target fee structure, which may include a price per round, a target fee, or possible guest/non-member fees.

A few key things are clearly listed:

No credit cards accepted
No ammunition sales
No gun rentals
No pro shop

So bring cash, bring your own shotgun, bring your own shells, and come prepared with eye and ear protection.

How to Come Shoot or Spectate

Visitors can come during the listed open shooting times: Wednesday nights, Saturdays at 1:00 PM, and Sundays at 1:00 PM. Since trap is listed as Member/Public, non-members may be able to participate during those open shooting periods.

If you are new, arrive early, introduce yourself, and ask about instruction or range procedures before stepping onto the trap field. Trap has a specific shooting order, station rotation, safety routine, and scoring rhythm, so it’s better to learn the process from someone experienced instead of guessing.

Spectators should stay behind the shooting area and should still bring hearing protection. Clay target shooting is loud, and safety rules apply even if you are only watching.

What Visitors Need to Know Before Going

Buckhorn Gun Club is best understood as a traditional shooting club with public clay target opportunities. It is not a tourist-style range where everything is rented or provided for you.

Helpful things to know:

4 trap fields
Pat-Traps and ERAD voice release
Trap listed as Member/Public
Rifle and pistol listed as Member/Guest
New shooters welcome
Instruction available
1 lighted field
Food available on registered shoot days
No pro shop
No ammunition sales
No gun rentals
No credit cards accepted
Bring your own shotgun, shells, eye protection, and ear protection
Bring cash
Confirm hours before going

Buckhorn is a good fit for folks who want a real club-style trap shooting experience — straightforward, traditional, and focused on learning the sport, breaking clays, and enjoying a friendly shooting environment.