skeet range on a sunny day

skeet

Skeet began as a variation on short-range trapshooting that provided a greater variety of shooting angles. Originally, the trap and shooting stations were on a circle with a 25-yard radius (reduced to 20 yards in 1923). The modern semi-circular form with two traps originated around 1925; it takes less space and provides the same types of shots as the circle did, as well as affording a safe area for spectators.

Drawing of a skeet range

International Rules

The rules of the International Shooting Sports Federation are slightly different.

Shooting stations 1 through 7 are 0.9 meter square, essentially the same as 3 feet square.
Shooting station 8 is 1.85 m by 0.9 m, essentially the same as 3 feet by 6 feet.
The radius of the circle is 19.2 m, essentially the same as 21 yards.
The distance from trap house through the center point to the shooting boundary is 40.3 ± 0.1 m, essentially the same as (1 + 21 + 22 = ) 44 yards.

The differences are

Target distance marker is 65 to 67 m from the trap house, not (1+ 21 + 22 + 16 =) 60 yards (54.9 meters).
In the National Skeet Shooting Association range two sides of stations 1 and 7 are parallel to the base chord, so they align with the sides of the trap houses. In the international rules these stations are turned 16.6 degrees so that they have two sides parallel to the radius and, like the other stations, face the center point.

comparing alternative positions of station one

Resources

Website of the National Skeet Shooting Association: