Sporting Clays School at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, NY

Sharpen your skills. Break more targets. Shoot with confidence.

0 out of 5 Customer Rating

Sporting Clays School at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, NY

Sharpen your skills. Break more targets. Shoot with confidence.

0 out of 5 Customer Rating
Type: 1-Day School
$849
Per Person
Have Questions? 
Live Chat is Available

Sporting Clays School at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, NY


Phone icon866-531-6213 Email iconschools@orvis.com
$1698
Per Person
Have Questions? 
Live Chat is Available

Sporting Clays School at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds, NY


Phone icon866-531-6213 Email iconschools@orvis.com
Item #10P82233

The Story

Whether you’re new to sporting clays or focused on improving your scores, the Orvis Sandanona Sporting Clays School delivers a structured, results-driven experience designed to elevate your performance.

Why Train at Sandanona
Set in the heart of New York’s Hudson Valley, Sandanona is one of the most historic and respected shooting grounds in the country. Our facility offers:

  • Two premier sporting clays courses
  • Full-service retail store
  • Dedicated education and conference space
  • Private hunting preserve
  • This environment allows you to train, practice, and refine your shooting in a setting purpose-built for progression.

World-Class Instruction
Train under a team of accredited, professional coaches led by Paula Moore—multi-time NSCA All-American, Team USA member, and World Side-by-Side Champion.
Our instructors focus on individualized coaching to ensure every shooter receives targeted feedback and experiences measurable improvement.

What You’ll Learn
Each school is designed to build a complete shooting system—from fundamentals to advanced execution:

  • Shotgun safety and handling
  • Gun fit and eye dominance
  • Stance, balance, and footwork
  • Proper gun mount and timing
  • Target reading and break points
  • Sporting clays etiquette and terminology

You’ll also gain hands-on experience with a full range of clay target presentations:

  • Going-away targets
  • Crossing targets
  • Incomers
  • Springing Teal
  • Rabbit Targets

Built for All Skill Levels

  • New shooters develop a strong, confident foundation
  • Experienced shooters refine technique and improve consistency
  • Hunters translate clays performance directly to the field
  • Every session is engineered to deliver repeatable results on the course.

What’s Included

  • Professional instruction
  • Targets and ammunition
  • Gourmet lunch
  • Complimentary use of Orvis shotguns

Reserve Your Spot
Class sizes are intentionally limited to maintain a high level of personalized instruction. Secure your place and take your shooting to the next level.

Sporting Clays School at Orvis Sandanona Shooting Grounds:

  • Shotgun safety and handling
  • Gun fit and eye dominance
  • Stance, balance, and footwork
  • Proper gun mount and timing
  • Target reading and break points
  • Sporting clays etiquette and terminology
  • School cost includes use of shotgun, ammo and lunch

When students arrive, they will receive a discount coupon for merchandise purchases available at Sandanona Retail Store (excluding gun sales, other restrictions apply).

Age Requirement:

All students must be 12 years or older to attend. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For students between the ages of 12-14 please reference the FAQs tab.

Click the BOOK NOW button to view availability and to place your reservation.


Cancellation Policy & Fees:
If the reservation is cancelled 60+ days from your school date, Orvis will offer a full refund back to the original method of payment, or the reservation can be transferred to another available school. If the reservation is cancelled 30-60 days from the date of the school, the customer will have a choice between a refund of 50% or transferring the reservation to another available school. On cancellations 29 days or less there is no refund and no transfer. There will be no refund extended to students who do not attend their scheduled school and do not notify the school within the timeframes listed in this policy. Any reservation that has been transferred to a different date cannot be later cancelled without 100% payment penalty.

For questions please contact Orvis School & Reservations (toll free) 866-531-6213.

Written Deposit Policy

100% of school tuition is due at time of purchase.

Orvis is pleased to offer our travel customers access to two valuable services: Global Rescue travel membership and IMG Signature Travel Insurance℠.

Learn More

Both 1 & 2 Day Schools offer small class sizes – a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.

1-Day Sporting Clays School Overview

8:00AM Registration: Meet students, obtain shooting experience and individual expectations/goals for the day. Students will be tested for eye dominance and fit with an appropriate gun for the school or if a student has their own gun, check the fit. Discuss gun safety and handling, go over the Itinerary. Coffee and donuts provided.
9:30AM Proceed to the instruction area where students will be introduced to Basic Fundamentals; Stance, posture, gun mount and head position. Students will learn about Break points, Visual pick-up points and Hold points.
11:00AM Students will head to the Sporting Clays course to learn the rules and etiquette of Sporting Clays, while implementing the Basic Fundamentals learned earlier.
12:15PM Lunch at the Sandanona Bistro with Instructors and Trappers.
1:00PM Return to the Sporting Clays course where students will learn techniques to shoot basic target presentations: Going away, Incomers, Teal, Crossers and Rabbits.
4:00PM Return to the clubhouse to discuss Gear and Products available.  Discuss next steps in the learning process with the instructor.
5:00PM End of Program.
 

2-Day Sporting Clays School Overview - 

DAY ONE
8:00AM Registration: Meet students, obtain shooting experience and individual expectations/goals for the day. Students will be tested for eye dominance and fit with an appropriate gun for the school or if a student has their own gun, check the fit. Discuss gun safety and handling, go over the Itinerary. Coffee and donuts provided.
9:30AM Proceed to the instruction area where students will be introduced to Basic Fundamentals; Stance, posture, gun mount and head position. Students will learn about Break points, Visual pick-up points and Hold points.
11:00AM Students will head to the Sporting Clays course to learn the rules and etiquette of Sporting Clays, while implementing the Basic Fundamentals learned earlier.
12:15PM Lunch at the Sandanona Bistro with Instructors and Trappers.
1:00PM Return to the Sporting Clays course where students will learn techniques to shoot basic target presentations: Going away, Incomers, Teal, Crossers and Rabbits.
4:00PM Return to the clubhouse to discuss Gear and Products available.  Discuss next steps in the learning process with the instructor.
5:00PM End of Program.
DAY TWO
8:00AM Assemble in the Sandanona Bistro for a recap of Day one and address any questions students may have.
9:00AM Return to Instruction area to build on fundamentals learned the previous day.
10:30AM Head out to the Sporting Clays course.
12:15PM Lunch at the Sandanona Bistro with Instructors and Trappers.
1:00PM Return to the Sporting Clays course.
3:00PM *Introduction to Helice.
4:00PM Return to Clubhouse to review products/shotguns and discuss next steps in the learning process with the instructor.
5:00PM Program concludes.
* Optional

If you want to learn more, please contact:

Orvis School & Reservations

Toll Free: 866-531-6213 Mon-Fri 8 AM - 5 PM
schools@orvis.com

1-Day Schools For 2026
January 10 Saturday
February 7 Saturday
March 7 Saturday
  22 Sunday
April 4 Saturday
  18 Saturday
  19 Sunday
May 2 Saturday
  9 Saturday
  30 Saturday
June 6 Saturday
  7 Sunday
July 5 Sunday
  25 Saturday
  26 Sunday
August 1 Saturday
  16 Sunday
  22 Saturday
  23 Sunday
September 5 Saturday
  6 Sunday
October 3 Saturday
  10 Saturday
  25 Sunday
November 14 Saturday
  15 Sunday
  21 Saturday
  22 Sunday
  28 Saturday
December 6 Sunday
2-Day Schools For 2026
March 14-15 Saturday/Sunday
April 25-26 Saturday/Sunday
May 16-17 Saturday/Sunday
June 13-14 Saturday/Sunday
July 11-12 Saturday/Sunday
August 8-9 Saturday/Sunday
September 26-27 Saturday/Sunday
October 17-18 Saturday/Sunday
November 7-8 Saturday/Sunday
December 12-13 Saturday/Sunday

Is there an age requirement for this school?

Yes, students must be 12 years or older to attend. Students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.


Please note: some students between the ages of 12 - 14 may not be able to handle 6 hours of shooting. Instead, we recommend scheduling Private Instruction (length of time can be customized, starting at an hour) by calling the Sandanona Clubhouse directly at 845-677-9701.

Sandanona is open from 9 AM – 5 PM, 7 days a week.


What is the best time of year to attend?

There is no “best time” to learn how to shoot sporting clays.


How much time is spent on the sporting clays course versus the classroom?

In the morning, students will meet for orientation, review gun safety, and watch the Orvis Instinctive Shooting video (approximately 40-50 minutes). The remainder of the school is spent on the sporting clays course.


If attending the 2-day school, there is time set aside for the gun fitting on the second day.


What time does school start and end and what will we be doing during the day?

School starts at 8:45 AM and ends at 4 PM. See itinerary tab for course program


What is included in the price of the school?

Cost includes all instruction, lunch, and the use of shotguns including ammo. Eye and ear protection are also required and will be made available.


Can I bring my own shotgun?

Yes, but not required. We are a sporting traditions course - if you bring your own gun, barrels need to be at least 26” long, and we do not shoot tactical or home defense-style guns, or guns with pistol grips.


What should I wear and what do I need to bring?

Students will need to bring a hat, sunscreen, rain gear, and water-resistant boots (or hiking boots). Dress for the weather. During warmer months, we recommend light-weight, breathable, moisture-wicking clothing. For cooler months we recommend dressing in layers with use of a vest and jacket. For clothing recommendations email us at schools@orvis.com.

The Pro Shop will have clothing items available for purchase.


Is lodging included?

No. Lodging arrangements are made separately by the students. See Lodging tab for recommendations nearby.


Are meals included?

Lunch is the only meal included in the cost of the school.


How many people will be in the class?

The school accommodates a class size of 8 students- a 4:1 student-to-instructor ratio.


Are there opportunities to book guided hunts after the school?

Yes, learn more about Orvis Endorsed Guides in New York.


Do we stop school because of weather?

No, unless there are dangerous conditions. We ask that students bring rain gear. Orvis strongly recommends purchasing Travel Insurance to cover trip cancellation and interruption, coverage for missed connections, lost and delayed baggage, emergency medical and dental, and more.


Is this class for intermediate wingshooters?

Yes, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.


What is the cancellation policy?

See SPECS above for full Cancellation Policy & Fees.


Will I be able to attend the same class as my friends and family, even though I am an intermediate and they are a beginner?

Yes. In wingshooting, we adjust our instruction to the individual student’s level.


What is the nearest big city?

  • New York, NY- 2 hrs. 25 min (86 miles)
  • Philadelphia, PA- 3 hrs. 25 min (180 miles)
  • Boston, MA – 3 hrs. 39 min (168 miles)

What is the nearest Airport?

  • Albany, International Airport (NY)- 1 hr. 25 min (86 miles)
  • Bradley International Airport (CT)- 1 hr. 41 min (71 miles)
  • Westchester County Airport (NY)- 1 hr. (63 miles)
  • Stewart International Airport (NY)- 51 min (45 miles)

Where is the school located?

Sandanona Shooting Grounds
3047 Sharon Turnpike
Millbrook, New York 12545

Onsite Activities

  • Sporting clays
  • Private wingshooting instruction

Area Activities

  • Antiquing
  • Golf
  • Horseback riding
  • Hiking
  • Hudson River kayaking
  • Rail Trail
  • Wineries
  • Spa
  • Tennis
  • Tour the historic homes of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the Vanderbilts
  • Dine at and tour the Culinary Institute of America