If you are interested in target archery and want to perfect your aim, one of the best ways is to practice at home. Archery targets are a vital part of archery techniques. They are required in competitions and practice to hone and perfect shooting skills. But many people overlook the basics about them, such as what best archery target one should choose.
However, there are ways that you can make your own targets at home with a few basic materials.
How to Make a DIY Archery Targets
The process of constructing a DIY archery target can be carried out by anybody with some basic knowledge of assembling household tools. The first step for building your own DIY archery target is to consider two things before starting: the Frame and backstop. These two components are essential for the best archery targets.
The Frame is a rigid device that provides the target’s balance and shape. Wood is known as the most common material for frames, but you’ll often see PVC pipe or metal used in place of wood to create a solid frame for your target.
Backstops are the material into which the arrow is shot. They catch the arrow once it is done. You will spend more time hunting down your arrows than shooting them. Backstops are usually made of spongy material. They will help disperse the pressure from the fired arrow and slow down the projectile’s momentum. Common backstops include straw, cardboard, cloth, and carpet, as well as plastic and foam.
Many of the designs can be easily adapted, so you should swap out any material. This is especially true with the backstop material. You can save money by having extra material.
Cardboard Targets For Archery
If you’re looking for inexpensive materials to shoot up, few materials are cheaper than a cardboard box. You can usually find boxes from stores or from someone who has just moved. The best arrow type for this target is bullet points. The estimated cost for this is 20$ to 40$.
Material Required
- 30 kg Cuboid shaped box
- Extra cardboard boxes for template
- Packing tape
- Glue
Process
You will use any cardboard container for your Frame. You don’t have to use the exact dimensions of the cardboard box, but they should be close enough to the measurements. Once you have your Frame made, measure the face of the box and cut at least 18 or more templates depending on the box to stuff the interior of the cardboard box. This is to glue these templates inside the box on both sides to make a double-sided shooting target.
Bind these templates together with packing tape and apply liquid glue on one side to place them inside the box. Allow the glue inside the box to dry for a few hours. This will allow the cardboard to double as a frame and a backstop.
Tape any cardboard scraps or extra sheets together to add a little structural integrity to make a small cardboard bar. It will extend from one set to another stacked cardboard set.
Strength and Weaknesses
Although cardboard is inexpensive and often available for free if one knows where to look, it also comes low quality. This target won’t last more than a week of continuous use.
Hay Archery Targets
A bale of Hay is an excellent choice for solid backing material that can double as a frame. A bunch of herbaceous plant species have been compressed together to make Hay. All you gotta do is attach the target because they already have a solid shape.
Hay is both a food source and a home for critters, making this problem even more difficult. Hay should not be stored outside if possible. This is especially important when it rains. Animals will use the Hay as a cover, and it may also rot from moisture.
The estimated cost of this target, depending on the hay, would be anywhere from 10$ to 100$.
Materials Required
- One pallet
- Three hay bales
- A tarp
- String
- Knife
Process
Maybe saying the word construction for hay targets is exaggerating. You can buy one or more bales of hay and then put them together as you wish.
To prevent Hay from falling apart through your shots, the rain, and animals, it is a good idea to cover the bales with plastic. Use any plastic tarp you have to cover them.
Hay is made up of loose material that has been compressed. It’s not surprising that when you shoot an arrow at it, it begins to separate.
Attach the target to the string. Make a hole in each target and attach the string to it using a knot.
Strength and Weaknesses
A hay target has one major drawback: if you use only Hay, the Hay will spread, and you’ll be able to shoot arrows through it. The Hay can also sometimes damage your arrows.
Carpet Archery Targets
This DIY archery target is known for its longevity. It lasts even longer than a store-bought target archery bag. The greatest drawback of this design is the carpet is expensive.
You can still use carpets of low quality, so if you are aware that a carpet depot is disposing of stalks, you can take it off their hands.
The average cost of a carpet archery target is between 50$ -80$.
Materials Required
- 2″ by 12″ 6-foot-long wood
- 36″ 4 threaded dowel rods
- 8 washers and nuts
- 2″ by 11″ lots of strips of carpet
Process
Start by cutting the 2″ by 12″ 6-foot-long wood in half.
Drill four holes into each corner of each board. Make sure that they are in the same place on each board. This is because you will be connecting the threaded dowel rods through the holes on each board.
As the base for your target, place one piece of wood on the ground. To serve as feet for your target, push the dowel rods through the holes in the board. Attach washers and nuts at the ends of each dowel rod.
For the next step, cut any carpet into 2″ by 11” pieces. These carpet strips will be stacked on top of the baseboard. Please ensure the stack is as high as possible as it will shrink slightly when compressed in the next step.
Then, take the other board and insert the dowels into the holes that you have drilled. Push the wood as far down as possible on the carpet stack. Next, take the rest of your washers & nuts and place them on top of the dowels. Twist them as low as possible.
This should be compressed to the maximum extent possible. If you feel the need to use the top board to compress more, do so.
Now you have your target. However, you can make it even more attractive by laying the target face down on the ground, then stepping on it. This should help you even out your carpets.
Strength and Weaknesses
The main problem is the time required to cut the carpet into pieces. Although it’s easy to do, it can be time-consuming. You can still use carpets of low quality, so if you are aware that a carpet depot is disposing of stalks, you can take it off their hands.
