Beginners Guide WHAT IS HELICE?

For the origins of Hélice we must look to the sport of live pigeon shooting. Although still popular in many parts of the world, competitions using live birds have been banned in much of Europe, including Monte Carlo which was a major center of the sport. The search for an alternative led to the invention of winged targets that simulate the fast and erratic flight of a pigeon leaving the trap box. It soon developed into an important competitive sport in its own right.

This exciting form of artificial target shooting is becoming more and more popular, especially in Europe and the United States of America. Also known as ZZ & Electrocibles, this discipline attracts a nucleus of dedicated shooters, whilst offering an alternative to those wishing to have a try at something distinctly different.

First imagine a field. You are standing on a designated spot. 26 metres away, arranged in a semi-circle, stand five green boxes, each the size of an average computer screen. 25 metres beyond that, in another semi-circle, is a low white wooden fence.

Right let's go back to the green boxes. Hidden from view, behind a flap on each box, sits a plastic disc about the size of a small ashtray. Attached to this disc is a pair of plastic wings - this comprises the Helice target! But that's not all, these discs are spinning at umpteen revolutions per minute.

Now let's return to our designated spot. Turn around and look back

Imagine yourself holding a double-barreled 12-bore shotgun. Ready yourself, put the gun to your shoulder, and shout "Pull". Suddenly one of the flaps drops down, and a spinning 'clay' flies into the air. If it is a calm day, the target will spin in erratic flight; but if there is any sort of a wind, the clay will be swiftly be borne away from you, sometimes low, sometimes high…….sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right. All you have to do is shoot the wings off before the target reaches the low wooden fence!

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