Ideas About Hunting Targets

onehorse · 12-19-2007, 09:05 PM

I was wonder what you folks think about using blank targets that are about the size of the side of the animal that you are hunting instead of a bull's eye. After all, animals don't have nice round rings or solid black circles on their sides. Here's my idea: after sighting in with traditrional targets, you start using a sheet or carboard that approximates the broad side of your game. You aim where the lungs or heart or whatever you prefer as a killing shot would be on the side of your game. Of course, if you have the time, you could draw or paint the whole animal, or you could buy these commercially. The point is to have a more realistic target and force yourself to practice picking a spot rather than shooting at the whole animal. Anyway, what do you think?

burd1959 · 12-20-2007, 04:08 PM

i think ive killed more paper plates than the average person and when at 100 yards with my 870 using fedral slugs i can put 5 out of 5 in it so a deer gets real big from there

samuel · 12-20-2007, 04:21 PM

I think it is great that you are shooting at simulated targets of the game you are going to hunt.When you draw them or buy them you can staple them to a cardboard box and that will allow you to shoot at them several times.Practice,practice,practice. sam.

Midas · 12-20-2007, 04:30 PM

I use those animal targets, myself, they are excellent practice.

OldTimer · 12-20-2007, 05:07 PM

Hm-m-m, hunting targets...I don't know, it just doesn't seem sporting. They just kind of sit there. Unless you don't staple the bottom of the target and it's breezy, then it gets kind of interesting!

Like burd1959, I've been fond of poking holes in paper plates out to 100 yds, too.
I've also used blank squares of unmarked butcher's paper or cardboard. It really drives home that lesson about "picking a spot" for shot-placement. Try shooting a group with iron sights sometime, and DON'T use a spotting scope or a binocular. Even on a "measured" or fixed rifle range target, it's humbling the first few go 'rounds...

ArkansasHunter · 12-20-2007, 05:29 PM

I use paper plates with a black dot in the center I draw the size of a quarter (.25cents)
I don't target practise with my rifles, the only time I shoot is when I sight in my rifles.
I've never found it nesasiary and It works for me.
Now with a 22 I will plink and shoot targets.
A.H

forestgleaner · 12-30-2007, 04:08 PM

have to worry about you guys at a picnic, and no I won't hold the paperplates for you.

rasterman77 · 12-30-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArkansasHunter

I use paper plates with a black dot in the center I draw the size of a quarter (.25cents)
I don't target practise with my rifles, the only time I shoot is when I sight in my rifles.
I've never found it nesasiary and It works for me.
Now with a 22 I will plink and shoot targets.
A.H

Great idea, cheap, size of vitals and you could put them all over for a "range of ranges".
Wish I didn't have to practice.. wait, I love shooting!

two-70 · 12-30-2007, 06:05 PM

sounds like a swell plan to me

rasterman77 · 12-31-2007, 01:08 PM

I found a site (tagetz.com) that you can print out unique and fun targets that change things up a bit. I love the Osama target.

12-19-2007, 09:05 PM	#1
onehorse Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 8	Ideas About Hunting Targets I was wonder what you folks think about using blank targets that are about the size of the side of the animal that you are hunting instead of a bull's eye. After all, animals don't have nice round rings or solid black circles on their sides. Here's my idea: after sighting in with traditrional targets, you start using a sheet or carboard that approximates the broad side of your game. You aim where the lungs or heart or whatever you prefer as a killing shot would be on the side of your game. Of course, if you have the time, you could draw or paint the whole animal, or you could buy these commercially. The point is to have a more realistic target and force yourself to practice picking a spot rather than shooting at the whole animal. Anyway, what do you think?

12-20-2007, 04:30 PM	#4
Midas Troll B' Gone Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Posts: 3,791 Images: 2 Blog Entries: 6	I use those animal targets, myself, they are excellent practice. __________________ "Recoil lasts for a second, gravity lasts forever"

12-20-2007, 05:07 PM	#5
OldTimer Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 135	Hm-m-m, hunting targets...I don't know, it just doesn't seem sporting. They just kind of sit there. Unless you don't staple the bottom of the target and it's breezy, then it gets kind of interesting! Like burd1959, I've been fond of poking holes in paper plates out to 100 yds, too. I've also used blank squares of unmarked butcher's paper or cardboard. It really drives home that lesson about "picking a spot" for shot-placement. Try shooting a group with iron sights sometime, and DON'T use a spotting scope or a binocular. Even on a "measured" or fixed rifle range target, it's humbling the first few go 'rounds... __________________ I support PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals George...

12-30-2007, 06:05 PM	#9
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	sounds like a swell plan to me __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

12-31-2007, 01:08 PM	#10
rasterman77 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 298	I found a site (tagetz.com) that you can print out unique and fun targets that change things up a bit. I love the Osama target. __________________ 2 things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, I'm not sure about the former. Einstein

12-20-2007, 04:08 PM	#2
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 606	i think ive killed more paper plates than the average person and when at 100 yards with my 870 using fedral slugs i can put 5 out of 5 in it so a deer gets real big from there

12-20-2007, 04:21 PM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I think it is great that you are shooting at simulated targets of the game you are going to hunt.When you draw them or buy them you can staple them to a cardboard box and that will allow you to shoot at them several times.Practice,practice,practice. sam.

12-20-2007, 05:29 PM	#6
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,684	I use paper plates with a black dot in the center I draw the size of a quarter (.25cents) I don't target practise with my rifles, the only time I shoot is when I sight in my rifles. I've never found it nesasiary and It works for me. Now with a 22 I will plink and shoot targets. A.H

12-30-2007, 04:08 PM	#7
forestgleaner Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 167	have to worry about you guys at a picnic, and no I won't hold the paperplates for you.