Sporting Clays Ranges in Ohio

Ohio punches above its weight in clay target sports, and central Ohio is the centre of it — the Cardinal Center alone is one of the largest shotgun facilities in the country. Both venues below are open to the public and within easy reach of Columbus. Details were last verified in July 2026 — hours change seasonally, so call ahead.

The Cardinal Center is one of the biggest shotgun venues in the United States: two complete sporting clays courses (16 shooting cabanas each, on automated Promatic machines), a 5-Stand, 20 skeet fields, and Ohio's largest trap facility at 52 houses. One course is set for the everyday shooter and the second for tournament shots. It sits right off I-71 — about an hour from Columbus and two from Cleveland or Cincinnati — and has 400+ campsites, so it's a genuine weekend destination. Sporting clays typically run Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00am–5:00pm; call (419) 253-0208 to confirm.

Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club is a public facility with a challenging sporting clays course that gets redesigned several times a year, so it stays interesting if it's your regular ground. You don't need an appointment during business hours — Monday–Saturday 8:00am–5:00pm, with Sunday by appointment (noon–5:00pm).

New to the sport or your scores? See what sporting clays is and how scoring works before your first round, and browse Pennsylvania and Georgia or every state in the range directory.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I shoot sporting clays in Ohio?

The two best-known public sporting clays venues in Ohio are the Cardinal Center in Marengo — one of the largest shotgun facilities in the country, with two sporting clays courses, a 5-Stand, 20 skeet fields, and 52 trap houses — and Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club in Bucyrus, whose course is reset several times a year.

Is the Cardinal Center open to the public?

Yes. The Cardinal Center in Marengo is open to the public for clay target shooting. Its sporting clays courses typically run Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. It is located at 616 State Route 61, right off I-71, about an hour north of Columbus. Call the sporting clays department at (419) 253-0208 to confirm hours before you go.

Do you need a reservation to shoot sporting clays in Ohio?

Not usually. Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club in Bucyrus takes walk-ups during business hours with no appointment (Sunday is by appointment). The Cardinal Center is also open to the public on its posted sporting clays days. Booking ahead is still wise for large groups or during registered shoots.