Carroll County Gun Club

Carroll County Gun Club operates a full trap shooting facility off Liberty Road (Route 26), about 1/4 mile east of Route 97 in Eldersburg, Maryland. The club sits on the border between Carroll County and Howard County, accessible to shooters across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The facility includes:

• •9 trap machines (singles, doubles, wobble trap)
• •Pattern board for sight-in work
• •Covered shooting deck
• •Air-conditioned clubhouse (open during all events and practice)
• •Public access—beginners through experienced shooters welcome

Trap simulates flushed gamebirds. The sport dates back to 1793 in England and arrived in the U.S. in 1831 via Cincinnati's Sportsmen's Club. Early shooters used live birds released from holes covered with silk top hats. Clay targets replaced live birds around the Civil War. By the 1880s, Cincinnati's George Ligowsky developed the clay targets used today.

Practice round gift cards available for purchase

• •Important: No gun rentals. Shooters provide their own shotguns. Rifles and pistols are not permitted.

CCGC's largest annual event. Registration opens at 9:00 AM, shoots start at 10:00 AM sharp. Registration closes at 2:00 PM. A practice trap runs 9:30 AM - 4 PM.

Winter League Fees: - Adult target fee: $20 - Junior target fee: $10 - Lewis: $7 - Purse: $3 - Rolling 50 straight pot: $2 (80/20 payout, rolls until hit) - Mystery ball score: $1 (100% payout, rolls until hit)

Yardage System: Shooters receive a league yardage card at first shoot. During weeks 1-3, returning shooters get 2 yards off their previous ending yardage. No more reductions after week 3. Previous winners and runner-ups are ineligible for reductions. New shooters without prior league experience start at 20 yards temporary. You must attend at least 6 shoots the previous year to qualify for a reduction.

Trophies & Payouts: Year-end yardage group trophies awarded by starting handicap, not ending yardage. Must shoot at least 8 weeks to qualify. Overall Lewis features a guaranteed $1,000 pot (you don't have to play Lewis during the season to be eligible).

CCGC hosts multiple ATA (Amateur Trap Association) shoots throughout the year.

• •Free State Shoot — Sunday, April 12, 2026
• •100 singles, 100 handicaps, 50 pair doubles

• •Memorial Shoot — Sunday, May 3, 2026
• •100 singles, 100 handicaps, 50 pair doubles

• •President Shoot — Sunday, July 19, 2026
• •100 singles, 100 handicaps, 50 pair doubles

• •Start time: 10:00 AM

ATA Event Costs: - 100 targets: $30 adults / $20 juniors (no options, no Jr Gold) - Lewis 1st 100: $15 - Daily ATA fee: $4 - Daily state association fee: $3 - MSAA maintenance fee: 1¢ per target

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 2026 — Sign-up 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM - $14 per event (50 singles / 50 handicap / 25 pair doubles) - $3 ATA/MSSA fees - Enter 1, 2, or all three events

1. Eye and ear protection required (mandatory) 2. Maximum loads: 3 Drams (DE) / 1250 fps 3. Maximum shot: 1 1/8 ounces of lead 4. Shot size #7.5 or smaller (no #6 or larger) 5. All uncased guns open and unloaded except on trap field 6. Guns pointed downrange at all times 7. Loading only permitted in shooting position 8. No rifles or pistols allowed

All club members serve as safety officers. Shooters must correct violations immediately or leave the range.