[water_runner]

Just wondering if anyone has ever made their own archery target, and if so what did you use and how did they last? I have tried layered cardboard and a feed bag full of plastic pieces, but neither of these held up very long. I was looking at rigid foam insulation the other night and thought that might work if I layered it back to back. I also have a pile of marine styrofoam laying around and I know that will blow into pieces in no time, but I thought about wrapping it in multiple feed bags? I figure this won't last very long though. Anyways, looking for opinions/ideas on what has worked for others. I am shooting a 70lb bow and the arrows like to run to the fletchings even at the range.

 

[ArcheryAddiction]

I spent a few hours making a target out of layered foam like you say, And it was a huge wasted of time lol, it stopped the arrows pretty good but have fun pulling the arrow out Im shooting 70 lbs also and it was hell. So next I made one out of 2 x10 sides and bottom. its about 4x4, then i left the top half open. I then screwed a pice of real heavy canvas that is used at the paper mill to roll out paper, to both sides of the box. Next I filled it full of plastic ALOT of plastic and anything else i could fins clothes and blankets anything at all. And after every shooting session witch is usually 40 arrows a night I put more in as much as it will take. It is holding up very well so far

 

[HUNT247]

Lots of layers of carpet will stop an arrow pretty good.

 

[mu'in]

A quick easy cheap target...
Co-op feed bag (55 cents), Fill with folded newspapers(stacked so u can shoot between layers), wrap tight with Duck tape

 

[wiggy]

Lots of layers of carpet will stop an arrow pretty good.

Yes that is just what I was going to tell you.I have 10 targets made this way.I have 1 big one (about 3 feet x 4 feet)then the rest are animals made out of plywood with a box in the middle with layered carpet.The big one I just redid after 4 years of of shooting and the rest are 3 years old.works great and very easy to pull arrow out.I find the in door out door carpet the best.I have tried the long shaggy rug but it does not spot the arrow as well and even sometimes it will go though.

 

[SlickTrick]

I made one that was 4'X4'x12"

Used utility studs for the face and back squares, and another to use as a spacer.

Got some old carpet to seal the front, back, and sides.

Old plywood to seal the bottom.

In the top, I stuffed silage bags, that I got from a local farmer, till it was full.

Fire a few shots at it. If the arrows penetrate too far, add more wrap to it.

 

[water_runner]

Wow, thanks for the responses.

For those that use layered carpet. Is that carpet layered top to bottom or front to back? My guess would be top to bottom, but I thought I would check.

I am liking the wooden sides with some type of filler. Bow-Man, by silage bags is that the same as the stuff farmers use to wrap large hay bails to store them outside? I think I can get my hands on some of that. Maybe use some of that and some clothes like nbduckhunter stated.

I am kicking myself for throwing out a pile of carpet this spring that was stored in the old basement. I could have made a pile of layered carpet targets. Loads of old green indoor outdoor carpet too wiggy!

 

[SlickTrick]

Bow-Man, by silage bags is that the same as the stuff farmers use to wrap large hay bails to store them outside?

Yep, makes round bails look like marshmallows.

They stink a bit, so you may want to hose them off and let em dry if your using it inside.

Another alternative, is go to a marina when its time to put the boats back in the water, or a shipping receiving department. The shrink wrap would work great!

 

[Bowtech]

Shrink wrap, grocery bags, etc all make good targets when stuffed into a feed bags, or better yet a fur bag (bigger).

I have made one other butt using Tentest (fiber board), all you'll ever need. Make sure you don't get the external grade as it has a tar in it which is not good. Get the indoor grade. 2x6" on top and bottom, threaded rod on both sides and cut your tentest 6" by however long you want. Lasts a long time and when you shoot out the center just take those affect pieces out and replace. I like this one as you can shoot broadhead into in which you can't with the plastic bags. Good for tuning up for the season. You can make a stand for it or leave one end of the threaded rods long and drive them in the ground or make your bottom 2x6 longer drill a couple holes on the wings and stake it.

 

[Hunter94]

Great suggestions everyone. I have used the feed bag packed tight with sobeys bags and other plastic for years and just wrap with another feed bag once that one rots out. They work great for field points. For broadheads, I have a cheap solution. Just about the end of the summer (when you are looking to start tuning for broadheads) go to a garden center and buy a large bale of peat moss. They are usually on sale at this time of the year. They will take a broadhead nicely and are easy to pull out of. After each session, a couple of strips of duct tape to close up the holes in the plastic make the target as good as new. Finally, when the season is over you use the peat moss in the garden or flower bed. It works well for me.

 

[SlickTrick]

Great suggestions everyone. I have used the feed bag packed tight with sobeys bags and other plastic for years and just wrap with another feed bag once that one rots out. They work great for field points. For broadheads, I have a cheap solution. Just about the end of the summer (when you are looking to start tuning for broadheads) go to a garden center and buy a large bale of peat moss. They are usually on sale at this time of the year. They will take a broadhead nicely and are easy to pull out of. After each session, a couple of strips of duct tape to close up the holes in the plastic make the target as good as new. Finally, when the season is over you use the peat moss in the garden or flower bed. It works well for me.

Wow!, that is a great idea. Never thought of that one. (peat moss bag that is)

 

[takin'time]

Back in the day when I was young and foolish and used a compound bow......
or a real bow with training wheels.
I had a BIG bale of hay rolled to the edge of my lawn it stopped 10000's of arrows and lasted ( no BS) decades!!

 

[SlickTrick]

How does that tentest stuff handle outside in the weather?

Do you shoot this in the winter as well?

Tarp it up to keep it dry?

 

[Bowtech]

If you want your tentest target to last indefinitely then you should cover it. I shoot at mine year round and it has been left out in rain and snow some but it will shorten the lifespan and need replacing earlier.

 

[Mister November]

Just wondering if anyone has ever made their own archery target, and if so what did you use and how did they last? I have tried layered cardboard and a feed bag full of plastic pieces, but neither of these held up very long. I was looking at rigid foam insulation the other night and thought that might work if I layered it back to back. I also have a pile of marine styrofoam laying around and I know that will blow into pieces in no time, but I thought about wrapping it in multiple feed bags? I figure this won't last very long though. Anyways, looking for opinions/ideas on what has worked for others. I am shooting a 70lb bow and the arrows like to run to the fletchings even at the range.

here is a good explanation of how to build a good simple target

making a simple target

just scroll down to the bottom

 

[hvywght]

A cheap target I use is a bag of rags you get at auto parts/hardware store.I think they're about 10 bucks,packed really tight and stopped my 70lb. with no problem.

 

[Bowhunter]

I have made a few archery targets and the best I have seen so far is screen stuffed into a burlap bag. Now... that is if you access to scrap pieces, I would avoid trying to buy enough for the job, but I used to work at a screen door factory, so I had an ample supply. The arrows will only penetrate the target enough to hold them and removal can be done with one finger. I should also mention that this works only with field tips, broadheads will get caught up in the screen inside the target.
BH

 

[newtothehunt]

I don't know if it is available to you, but a bail of hay and a bit of spray paint always worked my friend who likes archery. the arrow pulls right out, it doesn't fall apart, its good stuff