Blank target (pick a spot)

[RecurveRookie]

I threw a blank piece of burlap over my target bag today and tried to "pick a spot".  Sometimes right on the money, sometimes not.  Will this help me shoot an animal that doesn't have a bullseye drawn on it (haha)? I don't have a 3d target.....yet.  Opinions, please.

[KSdan]

Button technique is the way to go for me. Jay Kidwell's book, "Instinctive Archery Insights."  After 25 years of trad, I still can not "pick a spot" on a live animal.

[Plumber]

I got a pice of material an painted 50 2x2 squares on it an when you step back at 15 yds it almost looks like they are moveing .hone in on one of them an shoot it.its good pratice to try to block out all the other squares an just focus on one.it helped me alot

[rwbowman]

I shoot a dog food bag, stuffed with drop cloth, then wrapped in burlap for my practice. I drew an 'elbow' outline on it. For me it does help in shot placement, trying to pick out a dark or light colored fiber, much like a deer's hairs.

 

[Bowwild]

I shoot all kinds of targets. Sometimes I shoot blank butts, 3-D target, flat picture targets, and I'll even put an orange dot in the middle of the kill.  Doesn't matter, I "aim small to hit small" (positive feedback is very important so missing is left out of my vocabulary).

I think there is strong merit to putting an artificial aiming dot in the middle of what you want to hit. You can visualize this spot on live animals, sometimes better than you can concentrate on a shadow, crease, or "hair".

My signature line is the lesser of the Gospels that I believe in. (The greater Gospel has 52 books).

[reddogge]

Most animals aren't a blank slate though. All have color variations, creases, folds in the hide, or tufts of hair that make an aiming point. Likewise a blank target with some arrow holes make an aiming point.

[NothingHappenedToday]

After shooting at targets with little orange dots for a long time, I had a rude awakening when I shot at a 3D deer for the first time. Could not get focused in on a spot. I thought that I was a good shot, but found out that I really needed that aiming point to be accurate (unless there's a weird breed of deer out there with little orange dots over their vitals!).

Right now, I'm concentrating on squirrel hunting, so during my practice sessions I'm only shooting at squirrel sizes targets without aim points.  On the plus side, I'm getting really good at hitting the small targets. On the minus side, I've noticed that now when shooting at a scored target, my shots aren't as accurate. I guess I have a hard time focusing when the target is bigger. Amazing how much of a mental game trad archery really is.

[mcgroundstalker]

I kinda like to imagine a little fly on my target and try to hit it between the wings...   :rolleyes:   ... Become The Arrow works for me too... Guess I use a combo-style of many great archers...

... mike ...     ...

[Gen273]

I have also always struggled to pick a spot on an animal. Think that be because I am a little color blind. So I try to imagine a orange dot where I want to hit and then I just shoot the dot.

[Mr. fingers]

I had the same thing happen to me as nothing happening today. i was shooting a tennis ball  most of the summer. then when I pulled out the Glendale buck I could not focus on a spot . I went into full panic and had to basically start all over.

[wtpops]

Originally posted by Bowwild:
I shoot all kinds of targets. Sometimes I shoot blank butts, 3-D target, flat picture targets, and I'll even put an orange dot in the middle of the kill.  Doesn't matter, I "aim small to hit small" (positive feedback is very important so missing is left out of my vocabulary).

I think there is strong merit to putting an artificial aiming dot in the middle of what you want to hit. You can visualize this spot on live animals, sometimes better than you can concentrate on a shadow, crease, or "hair".

My signature line is the lesser of the Gospels that I believe in. (The greater Gospel has 52 books).

x2  even in low light you can visualize that orange dot...works for me

[TSP]

For practice purposes you'll undoubtedly benefit from putting a spot on your target, but shots at animals are much different than those on targets.  Game arrives without notice and moves unpredictably, often at unknown ranges. They don't care to wait for you to get into perfect position to take a shot and the unexpected nature of the shooting opportunity combined with adrenaline adds to the difficulty.  It's probably easier to cope with these challenges for instinctive shooters, but with any style efficiency in creating and maintaining your shot makes a difference.  The more automatic it becomes (no concious thinking about form or aiming the arrow shaft itself) the more likely you'll make the shot.  That, and staying within reasonable ranges.

[normf]

There was a cartoon of 2 deer and one had a bullseye on him. The other buck said to him" Bummer of a birthmark Harry."

[RecurveRookie]

I tried the burlap thing again today, mixed results again.  Then I took off the burlap and it was easier to hit when I had a spot to look at.  I think the blank burlap is good practice though.  Im gonna make a silhouette outta cardboard, or get a 3d target.  Thanks for the input everyone!

[Lowrider]

Have seriously thought about setting up a feeder to draw them in and shoot them with a paint ball gun a week or two before opening day. I always pick a spot but with the adrenelin rush it is hard for me to stay concentrated on it. Funny the gimmicks we think of while sitting in a tree.

[Plumber]

how far are you standing away from the target?

[RecurveRookie]

Distance of 20 yds for now, I'm also getting used to heavier limbs.  I will get back to 30 yds when I'm ready.  I guess I got spoiled seeing a nice bullseye in my sight picture, I gotta fix that.

[RecurveRookie]

I REALLY like that paintball idea!! Good one!

[lpcjon2]

When you can make a target to resemble what your hunting.A sheet with a marker or even cardboard and a marker can make you a realistic animal target.Get an old couch cushion and a piece of cardboard and have at it.This is what I do with most of mine.

 

[John146]

You have half the battle won. You have used orange dots. Do what one of the guys said - visualize the orange dot on the target. This is what Chuck Adams does when he shoots. I know he is not a tarditional guy although he started that way but the principle is the same. You put the dot where you want to hit in your minds eye and then focus on it. Some may say imagine the orange dot is there. Whatever way if you "see" it you can focus on it.