If you’re holding a shotgun for the first time or preparing for a competitive tournament, working with the right instructor can transform your experience. At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays (EVSC) in Dawsonville, GA, we believe in lessons that are more than just instruction. They are a chance to build confidence, improve skills, and have fun in a safe, supportive environment.
Our instructors are the heart of what makes EVSC special. With years of experience across sporting clays, skeet, and trap shooting, they help everyone from beginners to seasoned shooters elevate their game. Let’s meet them!
👋 Meet the EVSC Instructors
Our professional instructors are here to guide you step by step, whether you’re here for your first visit, a corporate team-building day, or competition prep.
🔹 Tim: The Technician
Tim is one of the few instructors in North Georgia certified in both Skeet and Sporting Clays, making him a top choice for shooters seeking technical precision.
What Makes Tim Great:
Tim is calm, patient, and highly methodical. He’s not just about correcting your form. He explains why a technique works, building long-term skills that stick with you.
Best Fit For:
- Tournament prep
- Technical skill refinement
- Guests ready to master the details of stance, mount, and timing
🔹 Mike: The Encourager
Mike brings decades of shooting and coaching experience to the table. Known for breaking complex movements into easy steps, Mike’s lessons are ideal for families, first-timers, and groups who want a relaxed learning environment.
Why We Love Mike:
Mike’s easygoing personality helps beginners feel comfortable while still delivering big results.
Best Fit For:
- Newcomers to clay shooting
- Youth shooters
- Families or corporate groups looking for a fun, approachable coach
🔹 Ron: The Strategist
Ron focuses on shot placement, choke selection, and course navigation. He’s excellent at spotting small inefficiencies and turning them into strengths.
Why Choose Ron:
If you’re preparing for upland bird season or want to bridge the gap between casual and competitive shooting, Ron will give you the insight you need.
Best Fit For:
- Intermediate shooters
- Hunters preparing for the season
- Guests seeking a strategy-first approach
🔹 George: The Foundation Builder
George specializes in safety, confidence, and helping shooters feel at ease. If you’re learning after a long break or starting fresh, George creates a judgment-free, skills-first environment.
Best Fit For:
- Adult beginners
- Recreational shooters
- Anyone needing to rebuild confidence with firearms
🧠 Why Book a Lesson at Etowah Valley?
At EVSC, instruction isn’t just for beginners. It’s the fastest way to boost confidence and see progress. Here’s why guests choose us:
- Experience You Can Trust: Each instructor has years of hands-on knowledge in skeet, trap, and sporting clays.
- Personalized Coaching: Every shooter is unique, so lessons are tailored to your goals, pace, and comfort level.
- Safe & Supportive Atmosphere: Safety comes first. Our instructors teach proper stance, firearm handling, and range etiquette.
- Perfect for All Skill Levels: From first-timers to tournament shooters, we have a course and lesson plan to match.
🎯 What You’ll Learn During Your Lesson
A lesson at Etowah Valley Sporting Clays is designed to do more than just teach you how to shoot. It’s about building a foundation that makes you confident, safe, and ready to enjoy the sport for years to come.
Your instructor will guide you through:
- Shotgun Mounting & Grip – Learn the correct way to shoulder your shotgun, ensuring comfort and consistency with every shot.
- Footwork & Balance – A proper stance is key to stability and accuracy. Your instructor will walk you through the correct positioning so your body works with the gun — not against it.
- Target Focus & Tracking – Learn how to visually follow clay targets from launch to break, improving your reaction time and hit rate.
- Timing & Trigger Pull – Discover the rhythm that helps you break more clays with confidence.
- Choke Selection & Patterning Basics – Understand how different chokes affect your spread and how to select the right one for different targets.
- Safety Protocols – Learn etiquette while out on the courses, how to carry your shotgun between stations, and why eye and ear protection are mandatory.
- Confidence Drills – Put your new skills to work with guided practice rounds to help you end the day on a high note.
Each lesson is personalized, so whether you’re a first-timer or polishing competition skills, you’ll walk away with actionable techniques you can use on your next visit.
🧢 What to Bring
- Eye & ear protection (rent or buy in our lodge)
- Target-load ammunition (sizes 7.5, 8, or 9)
- Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
- Closed-toe shoes (required on the course)
- Your shotgun, or rent one from us
📸 Add Photography to Capture Your Lesson
Your first lesson is a memory worth keeping, and we make it easy to do just that. EVSC offers professional photography services you can add on to your lesson or group outing.
Our photographer will:
- Capture action shots of you breaking clays and learning new skills
- Take group photos with your instructor, perfect for sharing with family or on social media
- Highlight the scenic beauty of our North Georgia location, including our lodge, pavilion, and sporting clays courses
Adding photography is a great option for:
- Corporate groups who want to showcase team-building activities
- Families who want to remember a special day together
- Individuals who want high-quality images of their progress
📅 Note: Photography services must be booked in advance and are separate from lesson pricing. Be sure to ask about availability when scheduling your lesson.
👥 Lessons for Everyone
- First-Timers: Learn safe handling, etiquette, and how to feel comfortable on the range.
- Intermediate Shooters: Improve consistency and timing across our four courses.
- Competitive Athletes: Fine-tune precision and mental focus ahead of tournaments.
- Corporate Groups: Add a unique, skill-building activity to your next retreat.
📍 Plan Your Visit to Dawsonville
Located just an hour north of Atlanta, EVSC is a convenient destination for corporate events, day trips, and weekend outings. After your lesson, stick around to enjoy our lodge, pavilion, or explore the scenic North Georgia countryside.
👣 Next Steps
Booking a lesson is simple:
- Visit etowahvalleysportingclays.com and click the Instructors tab
- Review profiles and pick your preferred coach
- Call us at (706) 265-1611 or email evscevents@gmail.com to schedule
- Book early! We recommend reserving at least 1–2 weeks ahead, especially during spring and fall
🏁 Final Thoughts
A lesson at Etowah Valley Sporting Clays is more than just practice. It’s an experience that builds skills, confidence, and memories. If you’re coming here solo, with a friend, or with your whole team, our instructors make sure you leave better than you arrived.
Pair your lesson with event photography to create keepsakes you can share with family, friends, or even on social media.
📍 Location: 619 Sporting Hill Dr., Dawsonville, GA
📞 Phone: (706) 265-1611
📧 Email: evscevents@gmail.com
🌐 Website: etowahvalleysportingclays.com
