Michael Ray Forehand in his book "Advanced Competition Shotgunning" wrote that the "Live Bird" traps are 31 yards from the shooter.
Not necessarily. If you run five straight from the closest peg you then move back, making the distance farther. This continues each time you run five straight.
When the bird is released "if" the shooter is fast he will get his first shot at the bird six feet from the trap. That would be 33 yards. If he misses the second shot would most likely be around 40 yards.
With your 33 yard assessment you assume the bird is going straight away from the shooter. While that often is the case it is not always. Pigeons may go, and often do, in any direction when leaving the trap, including towards the shooter. I've seen them missed at ten yards.
