Not everyone is a skilled hunter and there is no shame in not being able to hunt. However, if you’re an avid trap shooter, you will find it rather hard to resist trying out and getting hold of some of the latest trap shooting and hunting equipment and accessories available. After all, a good way to become a better shot is to make sure you have the right tools!
On that note, the Fowl Play Automatic Clay Pigeon Trap Thrower from Do-All Outdoors is one of the most popular models in the trap shooting niche.
So in this article, we will be examining the key details about this trap thrower, focusing on the assembly part of it, loading targets, and timing, as well as the various issues associated with it and how you can fix them. We’ll also help determine if you need additional tools or accessories with this thrower before we provide a verdict as to whether it’s a worthy investment overall.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is an Automatic Trap Thrower?
- 2 Fowl Play Auto Trap Thrower: Product Overview
- 3 Assembling the Thrower
- 4 Construction
- 5 Loading Clays
- 6 The Need for Additional Accessories
- 7 Common Issues and How to Resolve It
- 8 Why Buy an Automatic Trap Thrower
- 9 A Buying Guide to Automatic Clay Throwers
- 10 Conclusion
What is an Automatic Trap Thrower?
It all begins with a shotgun; an incredibly popular firearm that is used globally in a variety of situations- from recreational sports to law enforcement.
With a history that dates back hundreds of years, the shotgun has been one of the most preferred close-quarters combat weapons, even among hunters and shooting enthusiasts.
Trap shooting as a sport has a history that dates back to the invention of the shotgun. Historically, live captive birds were used as targets but over the centuries, societal mores regarding the morality of firing at live birds changed, and the sport shifted towards using clay replicas as the targets.
In an attempt to imitate the natural flight pattern of how birds startle out of their hides in a covered bush or meadow, shooters developed throwers or launches that could provide the much-needed lift and speed.
Nowadays, clay pigeon shooting is a well-recognized Olympic sport and a popular pastime for many people all over the world, which explains where trap throwers derive from.
Fowl Play Auto Trap Thrower: Product Overview
With the market flooded with all sorts of hand throwers, manually triggered and semi-automatic throwers, the Fowl Play Auto Trap Thrower stands out as a super means to get started in the trap shooting sport and take your experience to the next level.
We, however, came across both friendly and not-so-friendly reviews from previous buyers when we were searching for this model. Things were a bit daunting at first, so we decided to give it a shot and put an end to this whole debate “ Is the Fowl Play Clay Pigeon Thrower worth the money?”
On the bright side, the whole thing is easy to set up and use and includes everything you need to get started. It features a capacity of 25 targets, a recycle time of 2.5 seconds, and a 5-35 degree adjustment angle for different throwing planes of at least 55 yards.
The Automatic Trap Trower also comes with a built-in target feeder, so you don’t have to worry about reloading your unit. All you need to do is set it up, pull the trigger, and let it do its job. The targets will be flawlessly transferred to the launching arm by the slick feeder tray.
In terms of construction, this unit has been made from the highest quality materials, including aircraft aluminum and armor. The Fowl Play automatic trap is also designed to accommodate many extension cords as it features a 12-foot pedal release cord. It also comes with ground spikes.
There is also the safety ring with high visibility that serves as a visual cue for the throwing path so that you can work with the thrower securely. It works with a wobbler and any wireless remote control. And it operates on a 12 Volts deep cycle battery although this is not included in the kit.
Major Highlights and Features
- Angle Adjustment of 5-35 degree
- Recycle time of 2.5 seconds
- Pedal release cord: 12’ foot
- Flawless 25-clay target feeder
- Throws targets over 55 yards
- Safety pins to combat unintended launches
- Timing adjustments via customizable limit switch
- Ground spikes for maximum hold and minimum vibration
The Play Automatic Trap Thrower is also great for experienced trap shooters who want to improve their hunting skills. With its adjustable throwing arm, you can always change the angle and distance of your shots, giving you a more challenging target to aim at.
So whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the Do-All Fowl Play auto clay pigeon thrower is a great way to fine-tune your trap shooting skills. However, we can’t afford to give a blind eye to the flip side of it. So, here’s a more detailed review.
Assembling the Thrower
Let’s begin by assembling. Reading from previous buyers’ reviews, the assembly process of this unit is quite a challenge, probably due to the unclear or rather incomplete instructions in the manual guide. You are likely to spend some time wondering what piece goes where when setting up.
That said, you can still be able to manage the task and get the trap thrower working thanks to YouTube videos. It turns out that the setup itself is not as hard, but incomplete instructions made it so. The guidelines provided are rather limited and the entire process could have been great if they were more specific.
Aside from the assembly, this trap thrower performs flawlessly. You can fire over a thousand clays even when starting out and this unit will hardly skip a beat. It never broke a clay and is designed to cycle all of the clays down through the last lone target.
Fowl Play launches targets flawlessly and boasts excellent overall performance, even though some have reported issues with the last targets in the stack.
Construction
Coming down to construction, Do-All Outdoors promises to deliver this unit in good condition with all parts needed.
The whole thing comes pre-adjusted for the most part and functions like a champ. In fact, you’re bound to be impressed by the sturdy construction of this model. Nothing flimsy in terms of built quality or finish, and it should comfortably last many seasons.
We also love the compact size of this unit; remove the clay stacker part and this unit will easily fit just about anywhere. The stacker rods are easy to remove and replace for transportation.
Overall, as far as construction and built quality go, the Fowl Play Automatic Trap Thrower is the best value, solid unit to practice shooting compared to all other options out there.
Loading Clays
Some reported that this thrower sometimes misleads the targets. This, however, isn’t a deal breaker, considering that misloads are pretty common with high-end models as well. Besides, you can get around this by simply releasing some of the spring tension.
When loading, you just need to plug the unit into the stated 12V deep cycle battery, which can keep it running for hours. The performance of this model when it comes to loading clays is outstanding and will most likely match your expectations.
It is designed to accommodate a total of 50 clay targets, which are launched every 2.5 seconds. The delivery of these clays is automatic and the timing is consistent. The kit also comes with a comfortable foot pedal, which is pretty useful in practice.
The shooting angles, according to the manufacturers, range from 5 to 35 degrees. The product shoots clays at the same angle as far as we can tell, so you might want to consider using a wobble kit to overcome this issue.
Moreover, the fact that this thrower launches clays in a variety of directions means that you can effectively improve your shooting skills. Overall, the Fowl Play trap automatic trap is an indispensable accessory, great for both fun and challenging outdoor moments of clay shooting.
The Need for Additional Accessories
As good as it is, this Fowl Play trap thrower come does not without additional accessories such as the extension cord, clay birds, battery, and battery clamps. You might also want to buy a wobbler along with these extras. Thankfully, Do-All Outdoor has a reputation for getting back to customers in case of any defects or damaged components.
WARNING: This item can expose you to lead, which according to the State of California can harm your reproductive system and even cause cancer.
Common Issues and How to Resolve It
Easy set-up, user-friendly, and absolutely sturdy! We would have granted this unit a five-star rating but as mentioned, we can’t afford to give a blind eye to the flip side of it. First, the clamps to the deep cycle battery- which are traded separately- are not properly designed and may easily fall off while shooting.
The functionality switch button could also be improved as it gets very loose and needs to be re-adjusted now and then. Sometimes, this can make you lose interest in the game. Other users reported that the On/Off switch does not flip to a normal top/bottom position. As such, you may end up launching clays accidentally thinking that it was in the proper position.
Numerous reviews have it that this unit mysteriously cracks the last 2 or 3 clay targets. It can be a tricky situation, but with time, you’ll realize that it happens when the spring is hooked extra tight. So the secrete to launching intact targets is to reduce the spring tension. The surface hardness also plays a significant role in the efficiency of the device.
Also, the white safety ring/tube featured in this unit twists like a garden hose and sags at the gloss part of the thrower, which could inconvenience. Another issue is that the plastic top of the clay loader is thin. It is a wobbly plastic that will sooner or later break.
Lastly, if you’re planning to use the wireless controller, then be ready to readjust the wire to the foot pedal (and this might involve cutting), which is not precisely great, should the controller stop working.
Why Buy an Automatic Trap Thrower
The main reason behind buying a trap thrower isn’t really to replicate the intricate details of certain clay shooting disciplines, instead, it is a great way for shooters to practice their aim and possibly do better in a competitive event. With time, you may even earn club points and become a great part of the service club members.
The mere convenience associated with an automatic thrower is yet another justification for purchasing one. You don’t need someone to operate an automatic thrower or reload it every now and then. All you need to do is pick up your gun, pull the trigger on the thrower, and the clay pigeon will fly through the air in a matter of seconds.
Additionally, shooters are searching for their own trap throwers to avoid paying range fees and discover a practical way to train more and shoot clay targets closer to home. This ultimately saves on time, gas, and money, and as a result, the cost of purchasing a thrower can be easily recovered from the numerous savings made in the long run.
Last but not least, purchasing a trap thrower offers a degree of privacy that is not possible at a dedicated clay target shooting range. So, if you are a novice and would like to perfect your aim without having to endure the odd stares of more experienced shooters, a trap thrower can be a fantastic tool that delivers privacy and a self-sufficient means to enjoy some great practice.
A Buying Guide to Automatic Clay Throwers
Deciding on the best target thrower can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. In this section, we’ll walk you through a simple buyer’s guide to help you determine what features matter most to you.
Although they might be pricey, an automatic target thrower can be a great way to add value to your property. The point here is to make sure you receive the most value for your money; you don’t want to end up overspending on features you won’t use.
Below are some of the few things to keep in mind when buying an automatic clay target thrower. Note that these are just features and factors to help ease your decision-making process; not really pointers about specific companies or brand names.
The features and other aspects that will increase your comfort with your purchase are the focus of these recommendations rather than any particular company.
Quality
When purchasing an automatic trap thrower, quality is one of the most important things that need close attention. The overall quality and built structure of the product entail more than just the aesthetic appeal. It also dictates how well it functions and how long it can last.
If it’s not high quality, it won’t last very long and therefore will be a waste of money. Be sure to choose something that will last a considerable time without malfunctions what so ever or breaking down on you.
Since not all items are created equal, consider doing your research to determine which brands are reliable and which are not worth the investment. Reading reviews shared by people who have used the product can be a great approach to gauging quality.
Material
Another important aspect you need to pay close attention to is the material. A reliable trap thrower should be durable, long-lasting, and made of high-quality components.
This way, you will be confident in your equipment, which can remarkably improve your performance and even stand a chance to redeem club points area when you head to your local shooting range. For enhanced durability, make sure the components featured in the unit are easy to clean and maintain, and that they’re easy and safe for use. This will help keep unwanted chemicals at bay.
Performance and Ease of Use
The overall performance and ease of use is also essential aspect to factor in. How the unit performs will greatly influence your work as well as how safe it is safe for use. If you’re planning on using it daily, then make sure it’s made of high-quality materials and can last long enough.
Also, if the model in question is too complicated or lacks clear instructions, then it may not be of much help. You don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how it works. Opt for something simple enough that even starts can use.
Conclusion
So, is the Do-All Fowl Play automatic trap a worthy investment? Well, it turns out that the answer is yes. We don’t know who figured out the stars but this is an excellent thrower and certainly a worthy investment.
This unit also serves great when used alongside a wobble kit, and even much better when you add a remote. Plus, it does not ruin clays unnecessarily. Despite the vague instructions and a flimsy button, you’re bound to be impressed by pretty much everything in this fowl play auto trap from do all outdoors.
In fact, some happy trap shooting enthusiasts stated that even a 10-year-old could put the whole thing together in fifteen minutes, without struggle.
Lightweight yet made rugged and solid. The Do-All Outdoors Fowl might break or miss loads 2 out of 50 but sometimes even the most expensive pro models will do that. You will hardly go wrong with the outdoors fowl play automatic trap thrower.
