Tricks To Pick A Spot

[D.E.B]

Istarted shooting at a tennis ball hanging on a string and have hitting been it well, or close enough to move it at 20 yds and SOMETIMES 30. I bought a 3d buck and i am having a hard time focusing on the area i want to hit well enough to get the accuracy i have aiming at the ball. if i put something on the buck like a small piece of tape to aim at will it help me to pick a spot on that buck after using it for a while then removing it or will it become a crutch and do more harm than good? Any help appricated       DUSTY

[ncsaknech1ydh]

Hi Dusty, this is just my opinion, but years ago when I first started with archery gear I spent the summer shooting at one of those 24" or so offical targets with a yellow center, next ring red, next blue, etc... I was drilling the center shot after shot all summer, in those early days before I got wise and really started enjoying archery I was shooting a compound, hence the drilling the center ring time after time!!!  
When fall rolled around and I got a few shots at deer, I bet I didn't get within 5 foot of the deer when loosing an arrow, luckly I did'nt wound any deer either. After that I started shooting at a big old sandpile behind my house, I would draw a deer sized target in the sand pile and then pick a spot in the vitals and spent the next summer like that (I doubt if they even made 3D targets in those days, at least I didn't have one...Ha!) Anyway that fall, 1985, I drilled the first buck that came my way.

Yes, I do believe that tennis balls or dots or spots become a HUGE cruch, just my opinion. I just got a new broadhead block a week or so ago, and the first thing I did as I do anytime I get a new block is painted the whole thing brown with a spray paint can covering those goofy spots and dots!!

I go to the extreme in that on my evening practice sessions I time it out whenever I can so that the last 10 minutes or so it is getting pretty much dark, and all I can see is the outling of my 3D deer or block, and no way can I see a physical spot on those targets in that light, so it forces me to pick an imaginary spot within those forms in the dark, and I can shoot everybit as good in those conditions as I can in broad day light, you need to force yourself to pick an imaginary spot withing a same colored live animal or same colored target, it won't happen over night though, and pulling it off in near dark conditions will take several months, but it will make you that much better in good light. Hope that helps, again, just my opinion. DK.

[Cecil]

I think of a dot being on the target before I shoot and I focus on that dot. J Kid. talks about it in his book he uses a button. it takes a little getting use to but you are always focusing on the same thing dont matter what the target is.

[reddogge]

At our effective bowhunting ranges you can pick up little tufts of hair or creases in the coat or a a spot a couple inches back of the front leg to use as an aiming point.  I don't imagine anything but use an actual spot I picked up on the animal as my spot.  Animal coats are far from smooth.

Yesterday playing golf at my brother in laws club while looking for his ball a semi tame doe was feeding not 15 yards from us.  I practiced drawing down on her several times and used the shading in her coat and ribs to pick my spot.

[Randal Blanchette]

My take is to use both a 3D target and other aids to keep your mind open. For instance, not too many people have the money to buy a mechanical 3D target range that moves targets so you get a realistic scene of a spooked deer. But I bet if you used a string tied to a basketball and swung that from a branch then you'd have something interesting to shoot at. I like to mix up the targets. Shooting at leaves, stumps, dixie cups, 3D's, block targets, actual pie plates, etc. Keeps my mind and skills razor edged. That is my .02 anyway.

[Pete McMiller]

One of the things that Howard Hill promoted was to pick a spot on "everything" you look at.  It forces your mind to concentrate.  Whenever I see a deer on a TV hunting show, for example, I concentrate on picking the spot I would shoot at if I was the shooter.  I am finding, the more I pick spots on everything I look at the easier it is.  Doesn't make a difference if it is a letter on someones license plate while I drive or an acorn on the ground, it all works.

[cbCrow]

I wear glasses and everytime my prescription changes I bascally have to start my fixiation all over. What fixiation is, sit in your yard or comfortable spot and observe,looking for the smallest detail in a object. Do this from a distance not close(10+')  and as you get it in your sight slowly point your right hand and index finger at the object. I know this sounds crazy but I swear when I was taught this 20+ years ago I saw a great deal of improvement as it gets your mind into the game! Use what you learn from this and adapt it to your shooting.  

[D.E.B]

thanks for the advice guys i can pick the spot before i draw but near the end of the draw and anchor i tend to lose it. i am thinking i need a lot of practice on my concentration and focus im goin to work at it right now!

[mparks]

I have this problem when I shoot at cardboard silhouettes on our club's broadhead course.  If there is no prior hole or other spot to focus on than I try to visualize the "X" that my broadhead will make if I put it in the perfect spot.  Also a good technique to encourage a complete follow through of the shot.

The Jay Kidwell technique to visualize a button works pretty well for me as well.  Jay recommends carrying around a button(or similar object) to help to visualize super-imposing the button on the intended target.  I used to keep a bottle cap in the center console of my truck and picture that on the target.