My local range doesn't allow shooting steel under 200 yds., so for practice I made up some paper targets that are black with a white animal. This seemed to make sense since my front bead shows up better against a white target. In a match, are the critters always painted black?

Straight out of the NRA Rulebook: -
4. TARGETS
• 4.1
Silhouettes may be painted any color, preferably to contrast against the existing background or light conditions as determined by Tournament Officials.

“Traditionally” white or black to contrast with background. I have seen blue, red, orange and green… All the animals in a bank have to be the same color.

Your have the right idea though. Paper doesn’t lie.

Ok, thanks guys. I'll stay with white for practice.