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All Posts By

Etowah Valley Staff

Sep 10
3

Why September Is the Best Time to Visit Etowah Valley Sporting Clays

By | Skeet Shooting, Uncategorized

Cooler Weather, Fall Weekends & Clays & Feathers Are Just Around the Corner

September has a way of changing everything.

The mornings become cooler. The leaves begin to hint at changing colors. Football weekends return. Families settle back into routines. And for many outdoor enthusiasts, excitement starts building for hunting season.

It’s also one of the best times of the year to visit Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia.

Whether planning a family outing, reconnecting with friends after a busy summer, preparing for bird season, or simply looking for a relaxing weekend outdoors, September offers the perfect combination of comfortable weather, beautiful scenery, and exciting opportunities.

And with Clays & Feathers returning in October, now is the ideal time to sharpen skills and enjoy time on the course before the season begins. Read More

Sep 08
3

Why Sporting Clays Is the Ultimate Client Appreciation Event

By | Sporting Clays, Uncategorized

A Better Way to Build Relationships, Reward Clients & Host Memorable Corporate Events

Every company wants to strengthen relationships, with clients, employees, business partners, and the community.

But here’s the challenge: Most client appreciation events look exactly the same.

Dinner reservations. Conference rooms.Golf tournaments. Hotel banquet halls.

While those events certainly have their place, many businesses are looking for something more engaging, an experience that encourages genuine conversation, builds stronger relationships, and leaves a lasting impression.

That’s where Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia offers something different.

Located in the foothills of North Georgia, just a short drive from Atlanta, Cumming, Alpharetta, Gainesville, and surrounding communities, EVSC provides a unique outdoor setting where business relationships grow naturally through shared experiences.

Whether planning a client appreciation event, executive retreat, employee recognition day, fundraiser, networking event, or corporate team-building experience, EVSC offers an unforgettable destination that guests will remember long after the day is over. Read More

Sep 03
3

Sporting Clays Etiquette: The Complete Guide for First-Time Guests

By | Sporting Clays, Uncategorized

Everything Every Beginner Should Know Before Visiting a Sporting Clays Course

Walking onto a sporting clays course for the first time can feel exciting, and maybe even a little intimidating.

What should be brought? When should guests arrive? Is there a certain order everyone follows? What happens at each station? What if someone has never participated before?

The good news is this: everyone was new once.

At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia, first-time guests are welcomed every week. Families, corporate groups, couples, bird hunters preparing for the season, and people simply looking for a new outdoor hobby all have one thing in common—they started exactly where every beginner starts.

This guide covers the basic etiquette, expectations, and best practices that help everyone enjoy a safe, relaxed, and memorable day outdoors. Read More

Sep 01
3

The Best Outdoor Activities Near Dahlonega, Dawsonville & North Georgia

By | Clay Shooting, Sporting Clays, Uncategorized

Looking for the best outdoor activities near Dahlonega, Dawsonville, and North Georgia? Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway, hosting family from out of town, organizing a corporate retreat, or simply searching for something different to do outside, North Georgia offers no shortage of unforgettable experiences.

From scenic mountain views and waterfalls to wineries, shopping, and one of Georgia’s premier sporting clays destinations, there’s something for every age and interest.

Here’s how to plan a day that combines adventure, fresh air, and lasting memories. Read More

Aug 27
1

7 Common Hunting Mistakes Sporting Clays Can Help Fix Before the Season Starts

By | Clay Shooting, Clays and Feathers, Skeet Shooting

Male guest discarding shells after breaking clays on Etowah Valley Sporting Clays's Blue Course.Missed Again? It Might Not Be Your Shotgun.

Every hunter remembers the one that got away. The dove that darted across the field. The quail that flushed unexpectedly. The pheasant that seemed to disappear just as quickly as it appeared. Most hunters blame their equipment.

The truth? More often than not, it’s a habit, not the shotgun. The good news is that many of the most common hunting mistakes can be corrected before opening day through regular practice on a sporting clays course.

At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia, hunters from across North Georgia use our courses to sharpen their wingshooting skills before dove, quail, pheasant, and upland bird seasons begin. And once October arrives, many continue that experience with our popular Clays & Feathers program at the neighboring Etowah Valley Game Preserve, where sporting clays and upland bird hunting come together in one unforgettable outing.

Here are seven mistakes we see most often, and how sporting clays can help fix them. Read More

Aug 25
2

Couples Are Choosing Sporting Clays in North Georgia

By | Clay Shooting, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays

Sporting clay equipment lined up ready to go on Etowah Valley Sporting Clays Blue Course.Dinner Is Great… But You’ll Probably Remember This Date Even More.

How many times have you asked the same question? “What do you want to do tonight?”

One of you says dinner. The other suggests a movie. Maybe you’ve tried bowling, mini golf, or another night at your favorite restaurant. They’re all fun… But after a while, they start to feel the same.

More couples are looking for experiences instead of just another reservation. That’s one reason sporting clays has become one of North Georgia’s most unique and memorable date ideas.

At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia, couples are discovering that spending a few hours outdoors, laughing together, learning something new, and cheering each other on creates memories that last far longer than dessert.

Why Sporting Clays Makes a Great Date

Read More

Aug 11
1

More Women Than Ever Are Discovering Sporting Clays – Here’s Why They Love It

By | Clay Shooting, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays

3 Women smiling on Etowah Valley Sporting Clays blue course in Dawsonville, GA.Looking for a Hobby That’s Equal Parts Fun, Challenging, and Empowering?

If you’ve been searching for a new hobby, an excuse to spend more time outdoors, or an activity that helps you unplug from the everyday routine, you’re not alone.

More women than ever are discovering sporting clays, and it’s easy to see why.

It combines fresh air, confidence-building, friendly competition, and time with family or friends into one unforgettable experience.

At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia, we’ve welcomed first-time guests, mothers and daughters, sisters, coworkers, girlfriends, and competitive athletes alike.

One thing they all have in common? Many arrive feeling a little nervous. Most leave wondering why they didn’t try it sooner.

Read More

Aug 06
3

Why Every Bird Hunter Should Shoot Sporting Clays Before Dove Season

By | Clay Shooting, Clays and Feathers, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays

Don’t Wait Until Opening Day to Dust Off Your Shotgun

The alarm goes off before sunrise.

Coffee’s brewing. The truck is packed. You meet your hunting buddies at the field, excitement running high because opening day has finally arrived.

Then it happens. The first dove flies overhead. You shoulder your shotgun, call your shot… and watch the bird fly away untouched.

Sound familiar?

If you’ve ever walked away from opening day wishing you had practiced beforehand, you’re not alone. Every year, hunters across Georgia realize the same thing: bird hunting is one of the few sports where many people expect to perform well without practicing first.

Large corporate group outing at Etowah Valley Sporting Clays Read More

Jul 21
5

Chokes, Cleaning & Course Strategy: A Practical Guide to Getting More Out of Your Sporting Clays Experience

By | Rules and Safety, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays, Uncategorized

One of the Most Common Questions We Hear at EVSC…

“What choke should I be using?”

Whether you’re brand new to sporting clays or have been enjoying the sport for years, understanding choke selection can make a noticeable difference in your experience.

The truth is, there isn’t one perfect choke for every target presentation.

Just like golfers use different clubs for different situations, sporting clays enthusiasts use different chokes depending on target distance, speed, and course conditions.

At Etowah Valley Sporting Clays in Dawsonville, Georgia, we regularly help guests understand their equipment, improve their setup, and gain confidence before stepping onto the course.

Let’s break down what chokes do, when to use them, how to maintain your equipment, and how to find the setup that’s right for you. Read More

Jul 09
5

From Dawsonville to the National Stage: How the Etowah Valley Mambas Are Building Champions On and Off the Course

By | Clay Shooting, Skeet Shooting, Sporting Clays

A group photo of the 2026 Etowah Valley Mambas sporting clays team in front of the EVSC lodge in Dawsonville, GA.Four Mambas. Hundreds of Competitors. One Incredible Week.

When people hear the name Etowah Valley Mambas, they often think of a local youth sporting clays team.

What many don’t realize is that these young athletes are competing, and succeeding, on some of the biggest stages in the country.

During the 2026 NSCA Georgia State Championship and North American FITASC Championship, held June 17–21 at Big Red Oak Plantation in Gay, Georgia, four members of the Etowah Valley Mambas represented North Georgia among 527 competitors from across the United States.

Competing against experienced adult shooters, Master Class competitors, professional athletes, and some of the nation’s best junior talent, the Mambas once again proved that dedication, discipline, and hard work can take you anywhere.

And for many of these young athletes, this is only the beginning. Read More