How to Make Archery Targets

There is a wide range of archery targets available for sale; buying one can be expensive, while making one yourself can be quite simple.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cording
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Heavy-duty Glues
• Old Carpets
• Wire Clothes Hangers
• Excelsior
• Archery Targets
• Foam Padding
• Tarps
• 2x4 Wooden Boards

1. Gather together some old rugs, corrugated cardboard cartons, and foam padding. You don't need all three materials, but you will need at least two of them. If you have old targets, you can disassemble them and recycle some of those materials.

2. Cut out (or choose from what you already have) a template size for your target. Three feet is a good general diameter.

3. Cut the cardboard, rug, and/or foam to the size of the template.

4. Layer the materials on top of each other like a sandwich, rotating from one to the other. Pile it up 6 to 10 inches tall.

5. Put a good dose of heavy-duty glue between each layer.

6. Drive holes around the edges with an ice-pick or a wire hanger and run a string or cord through these holes to sew the edges tightly together.

7. Construct a simple three-legged stand to prop your target up. 2x4's work well. It doesn't have to be a work of master craftmanship, as long as it can withstand the force of the arrows hitting it without falling over.

8. Draw, buy or paint a paper target to pin to the face of the target. You can use bull's-eyes, animal shapes or whatever you choose. Have fun with it.

9. Use a tarp, a plastic sheet, or an old garbage bag to protect your target from the elements when it's not in use.

Tips & Warnings

• Straw bales work great as targets too. If you live anywhere near a farm or ranch, these should be no problem to acquire. Make sure you shoot into the side of bale.
• Use common sense when shooting your bow. Make sure you know what lies beyond your target whenever you shoot.

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Tired of Being Tired? Fight Fatigue and Try FRS for FREE!

[tharptown]

on 9/17/2009 glue three boogie bourds together for feild tips only

[nick1760]

on 1/4/2009 171717 take a cardboard box and stuff it with foam or plastic bags or both and draw with good marker a tarhet and set it up and you will have a great target.

[waygoner]

on 11/20/2008 Hay works great but can hard to get hard to keep together and harder to clean up. I've found what I think is the greatest target ever..... Phone books. If you can get in with a hotel, casino or phone company ect... they will more than likely be free then lay them so the pages are facing you and wrap them with a plastic like a shipping wrap to keep them tight and weather proof. Mine have been in the back yard for over a year and I shoot as much as possible they show no signs of needing to be replaced.

[waygoner]

on 11/20/2008 I've found what I think is the greatest cheep or free archery target in the world.. Phone books.. I've had a stack that I got for free from work (hotel casino) and they have been in the back yard for over a year and they stop my arrows perfect everytime... lay them so the pages face you if you can wrap them in a plastic I used shipping wrap because it keeps the pages tight together.

[poopfungus]

on 1/6/2007 archery targets...ball up plastic bags (wal mart and such) and melt them with a heat sorce, if possible and stuff them tightly in a burlap sack..just pack real tight if you cant melt them..just for field tips...you can also use cardboard,carpet,foam, or old ceiling tiles (same size) and stack them on a board thats a little bigger and put another board on top and compress using hooks and rope or sinch straps..even on old targets the boards and rope help you get a little more use by compressing them more(wont shoot through a little while longer)