EP 333 Cyle Foley - A Passion for Sporting Clays and Competitive Shooting Sports

This episode of DSC’s Campfires with Larry Weishuhn features an engaging conversation with shotgun expert and instructor Cyle Foley, who shares his journey into the world of sporting clays and competitive shooting. Foley explains how a casual invitation to a charity shoot in 2015 sparked a deep passion that led him to become a certified instructor at the Dallas Gun Club and serve on the Texas State Board for the sport. The discussion centers on practical advice for newcomers to shotgun sports, emphasizing that the right firearm depends on the shooter’s level of commitment. Foley highlights the importance of gun fit, noting that a properly fitted shotgun improves accuracy, reduces felt recoil, and allows for more natural movement and target acquisition. He often recommends semi-automatic shotguns—especially for beginners and youth shooters—because of their reduced recoil, simplicity, and versatility. Foley also draws a clear distinction between instruction and coaching: instruction focuses on mechanics and technique, while coaching dives deeper into mindset, strategy, and self-correction. He stresses that mastering fundamentals like mechanics and vision can dramatically improve performance, and that even a short session with a qualified instructor can accelerate progress significantly. The conversation touches on the dynamics of teaching, particularly within families, where Foley notes that children often respond better to outside instructors than to parents. He also reflects on how mental focus, life stress, and age affect learning and performance, with younger shooters often progressing more quickly due to fewer distractions. Beyond technique, Foley highlights the camaraderie and travel opportunities within the sporting clays community, describing unique shooting environments across the country and the strong relationships built through the sport. He also discusses equipment choices for youth shooters, recommending 12-gauge shotguns in many cases due to cost efficiency and adaptability, while cautioning against assumptions about recoil and smaller gauges like .410. The episode concludes with a look at Wing & Clay Life magazine, a publication Foley is involved with, which aims to bring storytelling, authenticity, and high-quality writing back into the shotgun and hunting media space—capturing not just the hunt, but the full experience surrounding it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices