How to Make Durable Archery Targets

Archery targets help improve your aim.

Making a durable target can help keep your archery skills sharp. Inexpensive materials can be found around the home. Protect your arrows by staying away from anything made out of metal or wood. Consult an archery professional for advice, if you can.

Things You'll Need

• Hay
• Rubber floor mat
• Wood beams
• Cardboard
• Styrofoam
• Duct tape
• Saw
• Drill gun
• Screws
• Marker
• Spray paint
• Wire hangers

Instructions

Making Durable Archery Targets

1. Stack two bales of hay on top of each other. The bales will be used as a backstop for the target.

2. Saw two 4-foot long pieces of 2-by-4 wood. These pieces will be used as the target frame.

3. Cut 10 pieces of cardboard. Each piece should be 2 feet high and 3 feet wide. Stack the cardboard pieces on top of each other. Wrap the cardboard stack in duct tape. Cover every inch of cardboard with tape. Draw or spray paint a target on the front of the cardboard stack. Screw the cardboard target between the two beams, using one screw in each corner. Tilt the target and frame up and lean the frame against the hay. The hay and duct-taped cardboard will resist inclement weather, as will the following two methods.

4. Flip an old rubber car or truck floor mat on its backside. The back, or flat side, should be facing up. Spray paint a target onto the rubber surface. If the target is black, use white or yellow spray paint. Screw the rubber mat target between the two wood beams, using one screw in each corner. Tilt the target and frame up and lean the frame against the hay.

5. Cut a 2 foot-by-3 foot piece of Styrofoam. Spray paint or draw a target on the front. Unfold two wire hangers. Bend the wire hangers into two large "U" shapes. Hold the target against the top hay bale. Place the ends of the "U"-shaped wire hanger on the right side of the foam target. Press the wire through the target until the wire curve is flush with the foam surface -- and the ends enter the hay bale. Repeat this process on the left side of the target.

References

• PA Bucks: Durable Archery Target Ideas
• Wet Paint: Durable Archery Target