How to Build an Archery Target Backing

It is possible to construct a high performance, highly reusable, archery butt (target backing) for little or no money using materials that are widely available. It doesn't have to take a long time to construct and no advanced degrees are required.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• refrigerator, washer, or dryer box
• sheet cardboard (boxes, palette separators, etc)
• 8ft 1"x6" board
• ratchet strap (15' long will usually be plenty)
• razor knife
• tape measure

1. Cut the refrigerator/washer/dryer box to a height of 20 inches. I'll call this the "A" dimension.

2. Choose the side of the box that will be facing the sky.

3. Measure width of the box. I'll call this the "B" dimension.

4. Cut sheets of cardboard A (20) inches wide and B (width of box) inches long.
   NOTE: When cutting sheets make sure that the B edge shows the corrugations of the cardboard. You will want your arrows to enter the end of the corrugation.

5. Place the newly cut sheets of cardboard into the refrigerator box with the B edge facing out of the box.

6. Fill the box with sheets until it becomes difficult to fit more sheets in.

7. Cut the 1"x6" into two equal length pieces B inches long.

8. Place one of the 1"x6" boards on the top of the box flush with the sheets of cardboard.

9. Place the other board on the bottom in the same fashion.

10. 

    Situate the ratchet strap around the box and the boards so that the ratchet mechanism is on the top of the top board and the hooks are on the side of the box.

11. 

    Remove slack from the strap and tighten until it is no longer possible to separate sheets of cardboard with your hands.

12. 

    Attach paper target and start shooting.

Tips & Warnings

• I found all the cardboard I needed after a trip to a local appliance store and Sears.
• Supermarkets are good sources of thick corrugated cardboard used for palettes of pumpkins.
• If you have ready access to sheets of hard insulation, like Celotex you could use it instead of cardboard.
• Another potential material is 24" x 250' rolled corrugated cardboard. These rolls are quite large and can be obtained for less than $30 each.
• Pay special attention when organizing the sheets of cardboard. Make sure there are no gaps that would allow an arrow to pass through the target backing.
• Care should be taken when placing the target prior to shooting. Always be aware of what lies beyond your target!