What the heck am I not getting??

[Keith361]

I don't know if it's just me or what.
I can go out and shoot at my target at 20 yards and have groups that go from a couple of inches to about a foot, but every time I shoot at one of my dogs toys, like an old soccer ball, I can drill it at unknown distances.

Is this something normal? My target's about 2' square and I've painted a blaze orange spot about 3" at the center for a "spot".

Keith

[beaver#1]

same thing for me,  i think its knowing the distance and just feeling the shot are two totaly different things.

[Pat B]

Aim small, miss small!  For me I can shoot better at a single small object than at at a target butt. I can concentrate better that way. Getting close to the season I will take only one shot at each of my 3 deer targets. A week before the season I will only take one shot a day, sometimes one in the morning and one in the evening.
Try shooting one arrow and retrieving it before you shoot another.
    Pat

[Robhood23]

I am exactly the same way. I can usually hit a tennis ball at 30 with my judo's but put a target up on the range and I am all over the place at the same distance. I think it is just focusing and concentration!!

[blueslfb]

Glad to hear I am not the only one.  I do the same thing.  I was having a heck of a time last night shooting groups and when I was walking back one time I spied a pop can in the woods and drilled it.  I paced off 25 steps.  I can't figure it out either.  Concentration is the name of the game.  I just hope the elk I shoot at has a pop can sized tuff of hair I can aim at.

[Larry247]

You need to clear your mind while your shooting weather it be at dot's or a tuff of grass in the yard.

Its so simple, yet most never grasp the simplicity.

[stringstretcher]

Keith.  Cover the target with something of the same color to make up a big square.  Then put a very very small dot on it, not in the center.  Aim for the dot.  Remember what I did in the range by taking the targets off the bales and then putting a 1 inch dot on it..you will aim smaller. If you can find an old burlap sack, (sort of the color of a deer) you will be amazed at your groups. Hard to focus on a spot when you see multiple colors

[Pat B]

Better yet, crumple the paper and shoot for a shape or shadow like you would on a live animal. I try not to use any artificial focal point to shoot at because the animals I shoot at don't have any.
 Trying to shoot groups is detrimental to my shooting. Once the first arrow is in the target it becomes an artificial focal point. Put 4 or 5 in the butt and you also start worrying(even if it is subliminal) about hitting the other arrows. Stump shooting, which I don't do enough of, is probably the best practice for instinctive shooting because each target is unique and each distance is different. I do shoot at a large foam block most of the year but it is mainly to keep my archery muscles in shape but also to hone my form. Concentration is the key.   Pat

[WESTBROOK]

Try practicing with only 1 or 2 arrows per round. You'll get tired of walking to get your arrows and you'll slow down and concentrate. Works for me.

Eric

[Brian Krebs]

question: is the dog carrying the toys when you shoot?

[SteveB]

No - but the cat might be.  :D  

Steve

[Keith361]

All good stuff guys. I have dropped to only shooting a few arrows at a time.
I've got an old piece of burlap Charlie, I'll give that a shot.

Stump shooting does sound like a better alternative, i.e., more fun, think I need to go back into the woods!

Keith

[Pat B]

Keith, If you have the fundamentals down pat, when it comes to crunch time you WILL put the arrow where it needs to go! Think positive!     Pat

[**DONOTDELETE**]

paper targets are great if your hunting paper targets. Try 3-D targets, stumps, balls, soda bottles anything that will make you pick a small spot or shadows like Pat B said.

[JimE.IV]

I like shooting at a NFAA "Hunter Face"  All black target with a white dot -- I shoot better and it helps me concentrate better.

I find it difficult to shoot a "Field Face". With the primary color being white it has less contrast than the Hunter Face...


Now this is my opinion, take it or leave it.  When I find a target or situation that I find "comfortable" while shooting, vs. one that is not so comfortable; I make a concisous effort to work on the uncomfortable situation MORE!

Again my opinion, but once you have your form elements down, you know how to shoot, you've done before and you've probably done it very well at different points in time...So the question becomes why sometimes and not others?  

You can probably pick apart the form elements that contribute to any problem, but my opinion is all problems (once you know how to shoot) stem from stress, lack of confidence or fatigue (mental and physical)--In short most shooting problems begin in your head.

So I'm of the opinion that the worse thing to do is to hide in your comfort zone. If you don't shoot dots well, make an effort to shoot dots once a week. If you don't shoot well in front of people, invite a group over to watch you shoot once a week or make an effort to shoot in a couple of tournements each year.  

Step outside of comfort zone and face stressful situations head on. It will make you a better archer and Bowhunter -- After all, Bowhunting is facing stressful situation an executing at a specific momement

[kctreeman]

I am the same way. Just can not focus when I shoot at a standard target ring.  I shoot off my deck into the ground at leaves and clover.  Shooting gets much tighter. I have painted my bag target black for some bear practice.  Shooting large black object in the dark should get me ready for the bear hunt. Thought about proping it up agaist a 55 gallon drum.

[James Wrenn]

You just need to learn to shoot for the center of things.The center of a 4ft target and the center of a dog toy are all the same size.If you can hit one you should be able to hit the other.

[chrisg]

We all get stuck with a 'bored mind' and can't hit anything. When that happens you have to do something to wake that 'predator focus' to use a hammy phrase. I also clear the decks and aim at tiny spots, marks etc. Another thing I do is to hang a small piece (size of an egg)of styrofoam from a long string in front of the butt. It drifts and turns in the slightest breeze and keeps your mind focussed. Suddenly you are shooting again! You can also hang a tennis ball from a long piece of elastic, it will bounce around with the same result in your shooting. Candle flames are 'easy' for the same reason, the motion of the flame is easier to focus on.
chrisg

[SteveB]

Originally posted by mysticguido:
paper targets are great if your hunting paper targets. Try 3-D targets, stumps, balls, soda bottles anything that will make you pick a small spot or shadows like Pat B said.

3-D targets, stumps, balls, soda bottles are fine if you are hunting 3-D targets, stumps, balls, soda bottles      :D  

What James said - learn to hit the spot - any spot.

Steve

[James Wrenn]

I see and hear people at 3ds talking all the time about trying not to miss.As long as you shooting trying not to miss you will never shoot as well as you could.You have to shoot to hit not the whole target but that center of the smallest thing you can focus on.Never approach a target with the mindset of trying not to miss.You always shoot for the center be it a 10 or 12 ring or one spine on the side of a pine cone or dimple on that golf ball..A smart guy that used to be on this sight once said "you will never hit sh&& by trying not to miss".