Why do I stink at shooting spot targets?

[Ulysseys]

I noticed recently when I shoot at a typical 5 spot target at my local range my shooting isn't so great, but when I shoot at a 3D or deer target I'm much more consistent; and not just in getting a "kill" shot but my groups are very consistent.  I guess I'd call myself a gap shooter but it's actually more of a blend of instinctive/point in my periphery.  Anyone else deal with this?

[moebow]

Concentration is a learned thing and it takes practice.  I'd also suggest that the 5 spot is very difficult for most of us bare bow shooters.  I'd recommend the NFAA single spot instead.  Frankly, until you are  in the 240 or higher scoring range (300 round) on the single spot, the 5 spot is more of a distraction than an arrow saver.

Arne

[Ulysseys]

Arne I heard that referenced to a novice compound shooter...that a 5 spot would be too hard to shoot at...is it solely a distraction thing?  That's pretty interesting.  Thanks!

[Terry Green]

When I stump shoot...sometimes I aim 3 inches left of a pine cone...or 3 inches over a mushroom, or right or short of some other target leaf, small shadow etc so I am oblivious to that type of 'distraction' cause there are distractions like that in the woods as well.

Give that a go next time you stump shoot.

[moebow]

I'm not completely sure what you mean by "I heard that referenced to a novice compound shooter...that a 5 spot would be too hard to shoot at..."

The 5 spot makes you aim at different visual references so each shot gives a different sight picture.  This is not as much a problem when using sights but can become one when shooting bare bow.

Also, Line cutters, big boys, fat shafts, etc. can be a problem with a single spot target as the shafts can interfere more (Robin Hoods and deflections) on a single spot target.

Arne

[McDave]

When I stump shoot, I tend to be more accurate than when I shoot at paper targets of any type.  Of course, this is somewhat of a subjective judgement, since nobody is keeping score on pine cones.  But I'm pretty sure I hit pine cones more often than I hit bulls eyes. I believe this is true even though I never know the distance to a pine cone, and I either know the marked distance to a regular target, or have shot the range enough that I have a pretty good idea of how far away a regular target is that we might shoot at an unmarked distance.

I think the reason for this is that I only carry one judo in my quiver, so I only get one shot at a pine cone before I have to go and pick up the arrow.   Plus of course we don't shoot just at pine cones; we shoot at plastic bottles and a lot of other things like Terry mentioned, so that most targets are unique in some way or another, rather than just being another bulls eye.  For those reasons, I think my concentration is ramped up to a higher level than it is when I'm shooting my third arrow at a 45 yard bulls eye target.

However, I think there are good reasons to shoot at both types of targets. I may not have the same level of concentration when I'm shooting my third arrow at a 45 yard bulls eye target, but if the third arrow is more than a normal deviation away from the bulls eye, it gives me a chance to reflect on the reason why, and to increase my awareness of what my body is doing more than I can when all my concentration is focused on a pine cone. I've shot at marked yardage targets at ranges up to 50 yards so much that I can get a lot of the same benefits, and a lot less boredom, than I could shooting at a blank bale at 5 yards and focusing solely on my form. When I'm shooting at a 45 yard bulls eye during my regular morning shoot, I'm thinking a lot more about my form than I am concentrating on hitting the bulls eye.  Which generally means that I don't have very many bad shots that are off the target, but I don't have a whole lot of bulls eyes either.  

I try to ramp up my concentration when I shoot in a tournament and make every shot a pine cone shot.  Sometimes that works and I either win or place in my division, and sometimes it doesn't and I would be better off just focusing on my form like I do every morning.  But I'm pretty sure I wouldn't win any tournaments that way.

[jonsimoneau]

Yes. I shoot targets at the same range a bunch.  If I go out and stump shoot I will often shoot better.  I believe this has to do with the fact that your mind will become bored with shooting the same range all the time, and you can lose focus.  Starting now...since hunting season is nearing, I will stop shooting bag targets and start to only shoot random objects out in the yard or woods.

[Ulysseys]

Terry are you saying to aim off of the target to make the target a distraction?  That's a pretty good idea.       Great stuff as always here, thanks guys.

[overbo]

My take on the 5 spot targets is,

You start at close range and master your sequence and move back a little at a time as you progress. Now, I'm a true believer that mastering the 5 spot target will greatly increase concentration and confidence. Once you learn to keep everything as it was(shooting form) when the arrow is released till impact, you begin to reason why the arrow hits where it dose.

[Diamond Paul]

Five spots are hard for a no-sight shooter.  I don't know any recurve or longbow shooters who choose a 5-spot for the local indoor league.  Good compound shooters do it because they would be out of arrows if they didn't; I never shot more than one arrow at anything under 40 yards when I was shooting wheel bows.  Spot shooting also forces you to be painfully realistic about your level of accuracy, which lots of shooters don't like.  It's easy to blame the spot, but it's usually the archer.

[canshooter]

I checked my records for the last 6 times I shot a 300 round. 272,276,283,279,270,257.

1 of these scores was shot on a 5 spot...bet you cant guess which.

I also find it easier to concentrate on a 3 dimensional target than repeated shots at a 2d target.

[Diamond Paul]

Those are some pretty salty scores with a traditional bow, no sights.  Even the lowest one is pretty good.