Home Made Targets....What Do You Use??

[NalaJr]

Hey all,

When I moved here I had to leave my bow target behind. It killed me as it was an awesome target that I had made. Held up really well and is easily made if you can find the materials.

In Florida it was rather easy to find these dense styrofoam blocks. They were in boat dealer lots and marine related areas. I just found some by the dumpster one day and thought it would make a great target and loaded my truck with them. Turns out it did make a great target. It was just as good as the dense foam targets that Bass Pro or other shops sell for $125 or so. Mine was 3 feet by 3 feet made from 9 blocks that were 1'x1'x18" held together with a ratcheting tow strap. Now I didn't shoot broadheads into it very often, but if I did and it damaged the target, no problem, I would just turn the block around or go back and get another block that I stored in the garage.

The problem I am having now is being able to find foam blocks like those. Been unable to find anything even close. Still looking though.

I don't care too much for the burlap bag type targets. They work fine, but I like a bigger target. I guess if I shot better I could use a smaller target.....

I have also seen pics of a homemade target where the guy went to Lowes or Home Depot and bought some of those 4x8 sheets of foam type stuff that goes on the walls of houses and such (have no idea what it's actually used for) and would trim it to desired size and stack them on top of each other until the desired height and then would use a 1"x12" on top and bottom to provide a suitable base and fastening it all together with those long threaded rods with washers and bolts. Great looking target at the end, but seemed kinda pricey. I don't think those sheets of that stuff is cheap.

What are some of the other homemade target ideas you have heard of or have made yourself? If you have pics, please share. I'm always looking for new ideas especially now that I have no target to use.

If anyone has ideas on where I can get some of those dense foam blocks in the Houston area, let me know as I'd love to get some and get back to shooting.

Thanks again....

Nalajr

[fletcherfor2]

Those same large foam blocks used in Florida are also used for the floating docks in Texas.

I got a single 4 X 8 sheet of the 2" thick Owens-Corning pink building foam (around $13). I cut it in half for two 4 X 4 sheets and glued the two together with Elmer's glue and use this for a backstop for my 3D and 18:1 block targets. Works fine.

[JEFFRO]

right now i'm TRYING to use live deer an hogs, but all i have got to use of late is a old block target.

back in the day i'v take'n a cotton sack and filled it with plastic bags and cut up carpet.works good and cheap.
cotton sack .30 cents 15ormore years ago
bags free
and you can allways find a piece of carpet lay'n in front of someones house,

[jgard2522]

You may check with a builder's surplus store. They may have some. The 2" foam insulation sheets work really well too. We built a frame out of 1"x1" and used the foam. We used 2 sheets,cut in half to get 8" thick and had very little penetration out the back, if any.

[NannySlayer]

When I moved to TX the lake levels were really low, some buddies and I went fishing one day and saw those foam blocks floating along some island shores. Apparently with the levels dropping the foam blocks came out from under folks floating docks. Fair game in my book. We loaded em up and we have them set up at a friends house for shooting.

I wouldn't suggest going 'round stealing peoples dock floats but the lakes are still really low maybe you scout there.


Also, you could look into the companies that manufacture these. I know Dock Floats LTD is located in Austin and they use these foam blocks. The website says their blocks
can be customized, cut to your specifications. Available in 1 lbs. , 1.5 lbs, or 2lbs densities. http://www.dockfloatsltd.com/styrofoam-c-106.html

Good luck.

[Savage]

I normally use a 3D or block target but I have filled burlap bags with sawdust and put some newspaper in the back side of it. Makes a pretty good target when I don't have a foam one.

[Boomer57]

Neighbors cats work good for target practice. If they catch me I'll tell them if you want your cat keep it at home.

[RickBarbee]

I have to put a tie down strap around the bales, and pull it real tight to keep them from swallowing arrows, but works real good with the strap.

[Selfbowman]

I've used alot of differnt kinds, boatdock foam, commercial roof iso works good, two travel trailer foam pads, chair cushion pads in new bag target bag.

[Buck-N-Rut]

Toe sack and stuff it full of clothes, old blankets, shrink wrap, etc.

[cjkozik]

get on archerytalk and check out the lifetime target thread. I built one a couple years back and still shooting at it..

[Greywolf in Hawaii]

I went to the local carpet store and ask if they would cut the old carpets into 16-18 inch strips when they removed it. they roll the pieces so it stacked easy, I recut it to 12 inches wide and had a pattern to cut the rod slits in 3 hours later and 4-5 coors lights I had a great backstop.



I even made a cover for it.


Still solid after 2 years !!

[Uncle Saggy]

I have to put a tie down strap around the bales, and pull it real tight to keep them from swallowing arrows, but works real good with the strap.

This is what I use also

[JEFFRO]

I have to put a tie down strap around the bales, and pull it real tight to keep them from swallowing arrows, but works real good with the strap.

hey rick you know your target cost's more than a new 3d target does...

[RickBarbee]

hey rick you know your target cost's more than a new 3d target does...

Might do it, but it'll last 100 times longer than a 3D.

Bale cost me $50, and the tie down cost me $25, so I came out real good for the combo.

Rick