When i am shooting i have trouble picking a spot on a single colored surface.  If there is a dot or a hole in the target i shoot well.  Then when i shoot the plain black side of the target i have alot of troble picking one small spot on the target and this throws my shoots off.  I relized this last year when trying to shoot a doe that had a perfect slick hide with no tuffs of fur.  I drew up and let down twice because i just could not lock into a good spot.  I have good vision and i think good concentration.  Wondering what you guys think.

Look harder you can always find something.  Sometimes a wrinkle or something, but when the heat is on, it is sometimes difficult so spot.

Mike

Some people imagin a dime or quarter on the target for that very reason.

I try to imagine a glowing dot about the size of a ping pong ball.
John

I was lucky enough to talk with Stacy Grosscup at the first shoot at Denton Hill. He advocated imagining an aspirin on your target. I was doing that for a while but got out of the habit. It's something that takes some effort but it does help.

I have started practicing this way...using a plain burlap bag, or even an area of my bag target that doesn't have a bullseye...mostly at under 15yds...really helps tighten the concentration

Jay Kidwell's book suggests using imagination to visualize a repeatable target on EVERY shot (i.e. a red button, a ball, a dot, a quarter, etc.).  I visualize a mature dandelion placed on my target, because I practice shooting them so much in the summer.  That way, I'm ALWAYS shooting a dandelion - even on a hunt.  (In the book, he explains the details of WHY it's so important.)  It has really helped me "Pick a spot", though on every shot!

thanks guys

I am totally in awe of your control.  You actually drew twice at the doe and let down both times!!  If I start the draw sequence, I'm pretty much committed - that's why I never practice drawing on animals I don't want to shoot.

Whump Sez; Do what Fatman sez; shooting at a plain bag is the best way to train yourself to pick a spot while you are practicing for the real deal. Hunt safe

Being able to pick a spot consistently well is a skill that come from experience and practice, practice, practice. Fortunately, I don't have that problem, as I always pick the spot. Here not long ago I picked the exact spot - SOMEWHERE IN WESTERN JONES COUNTY GEORGIA. I still wonder where that arrow stopped.  Seriously, it is sometimes difficult to pick the spot no matter how hard you practice, and you are to be commended for letting down and not taking a shot you were not comfortable with. That is what ethical hunting is all about.

Beyond a certain distance, and it isn't very far, 15-20 yards perhaps, an animal's hide becomes a uniform surface.  There is no spot to pick, i.e., hair out of place, wrinkle in the skin, etc.  It may be there, but most of us can't see it.  That's why it's important to practice on blank surfaces and visualize a spot, be it an aspirin, orange ping-pong ball or whatever.

Check your PM's

Start shooting a 3d deer target. Then you will learn to aim just behind the shoulder crease. Thats what I did...