Will CPSA rebrand drop ‘pigeon’ in a sop to antis?

Lots of us cut our teeth on clay pigeons (read how to start clay pigeon shooting here ) but that staple of the shooting world might be about to undergo a dramatic rebrand. Some say it’s future-proofing while others say it’s crazy. The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA) is asking its members whether they should drop the ‘pigeon’ part of the name, in order not to upset those who dislike fieldsports. 

Tom Payne, a keen pigeon shooter and coach, told Shooting Times he believes it’s a classic example of pandering to the minority, which will result in pigeon shooting losing its identity. He also questioned where the whole thing ends — for example, what will the ‘bolting bunny’ now be called and likewise the ‘springing teal’? 

Others say those who dislike fieldsports have suggested that people who shoot pheasants should switch to clays, and feel this proposal fans those flames. 

The CPSA — which has been in existence for almost 100 years — would change its name to the Clay Target Shooting Association. The proposal states: “Looking forward, we are keen to modernise our sport’s brand image in order to help attract new shooters, members, and sponsors from outside the sport.

“We propose this change not to forget our heritage and history but to build on it and develop our sport for the future. There will be a cost, but this would not be an overnight change, rather a gradual, phased, managed change to Clay Target Shooting Association (CTSA).” The CPSA admits this would cost money but it believes the change could be worth it in defending itself against anti-shooting legislation. 

CPSA members can vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the name change at bit.ly/clayname

We would, of course, love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as to what we might call those bolting bunnies. Tom Payne says he will have to rethink seriously about how he adapts his advice for shooting bolting rabbits: “Stick the bead just in front of the snout and shoot where its front legs would be