Archery Target Backstop?

[WapitiTalk1]

So, what are some ideas for an archery target backstop? I have a Rhinehart target (the big one) I shoot at, placed down below my house in the woods (I think they're about 20" X 20")? I'd like to fabricate some type of backstop, wider than the target, that'll catch or at least slow down a wandering shot, high, low, or to the sides. What do you cats use for a target backstop? Thanks. RJ

[Tigger]

I know a guy around here makes them (called The Shield from bupsports.com). The other thing you can do is find a manufacturer who throws away a lot of the same size of cardboard. My brother made a target out of that and it worked really good. He laid them all flat and put ratcheting straps on them and he could adjust the tension to whatever he wanted.

[Njdiverdan]

Hang a piece of indoor / outdoor carpet. You want to just hang it from the top with the sides and bottom loose so when the arrow hits it, it gives. Arrow may go through but will be greatly slowed down.

-dan

[WapitiTalk1]

I like the carpet idea, hadn't thought of that. I checked on The Shield you spoke of Tigger.. Dang pricey but it looks like the real deal.

[vertical limit]

My local archery range uses old conveyor belting. Be sure not to get the super thick stuff or you won't be getting your field tips back haha. I have seen many people have to unscrew their arrows to get them back (the field tip stays in the belting). I have just always used bales of straw. They are cheap and not a big deal if left out in the weather. My current bales are 3 years old and work great.

[foxvalley]

+2 on the carpet.Cheap, and works great.

[longbowelk]

another optio would be to put a couple of post in the ground and then hang a wood crosspiece with 2 eyebolts in it. Then go get a rubber horse stall mat from Tractor supply and hang from the eyebolts. would be a pretty permanent backstop. I also saw somewhere somebody had built a little shed with doors that closed to protect the traget but he did that more in his backyard to hide the target from guest.

[Lefty]

I have a wheat field
My neighbors hang carpet

[WapitiTalk1]

Got the frame built. Gonna figure out how to strategically hang some pieces of carpet to slow down errant arrows over the weekend.

[Mukbowhunt]

Looking good. A couple of eye bolts and a couple carabiners on some nylon rope and you should be set.

[WapitiTalk1]

Attractive? No. Functional? We'll see. Thinking the 3 layers of carpet should slow down miss fires.

[GobbleFarmer]

Is the carpet fastened tight? Everything I have heard is you want to leave it loose so that it gives and the arrows don't go through and tear the fletching off. Food for thought.

[WapitiTalk1]

Ya Gobble, fastened on top of each section, but loose from there on down. I've heard the same thing about having the "give" in the carpet to make it work correctly. If this setup fails, I'll move on to multiple layers of foam around the target. Thanks for the observation.

[GobbleFarmer]

OH, OK, I thought it was fastened down lower as well. That's cool let us know how it turns out. I have to be accurate because there is a goat pasture behind my "archery range" . That's why I don't shoot my compound anymore, that and my neighbors crossbow is super fast, accurate and long range.

[chipick]

I have a burlap bag with some old blankets in it. I have been shooting into it for a few years just needs a bit of fluffing every now and again, but it don't look as nice as your setup

[Indian Summer]

I thought you were talking outdoors. I have two 4 by 4 posts in the ground with a 2 by 4 across the top mounted with joist hangers and a piece of regular indoor carpet flopped over the top... so doubled.

But I have another really good system too. It can be placed in between the carpet layers... or just set up behind your targets with no frame or anything. If you put it between the carpets it will stop anything. Everyone has seen what is called Dryvit exterior finish. It looks like stucco. They attach a high density foam board to the sheeting of a building and then apply the textured finish in the color of your choice. No matter where you live there is a company that sells the supplies to contractors. That foam board comes in many sizes and thicknesses and.... it's not very expensive at all. I have blocks that are about 2 feet wide, probably 4 feet tall... and 18 inches thick. They have lasted so long I can't remember exactly what they cost but it was like $10 each. They look like Styrofoam but are much denser and stop field points dead. Totally waterproof so it's ok to leave them outside too.

I used to work next to a company called Exterior Products which is how I discovered the stuff. Pressed my finger into a piece and a light bulb came on. Gave it a try and have been using it ever since.

[WapitiTalk1]

IS, my setup is for outside use... I just built it inside. Now, gotta grab one of the neighbors boys to help me pack it down over the bank

Target is emplaced down over the bank, at a turn in the quad trail (this is about 30 yards away). Got a bit of brush trimming to do after 40 yards but will have a shooting lane out to a bit over 60, same as last year. Man, this WA under brush grows quick once spring hits.

[Elkonthebrain]

Looks good. I might have to build something like that.

[WapitiTalk1]

Thanks Ed. Will let you know how it works out.

[poisonarrow]

I piled up some dirt as a backstop, and have gone to shooting only at the dirt. I pin a small white something to the dirt bank and shoot away. You can shoot both broadheads and field points, they pull out easily and the thing lasts forever, I mean forever!