Archery Target Options
#Archers #shoot big #targets, little targets, bag targets, block targets, 3-D targets and more! The archery market offers many sizes and styles of targets, so let’s find one that’s right for you.
Hay bales are made from herbaceous plants that were cut, dried and packed together. They’re suitable for beginners because they’re big and cheap, and arrows penetrate them easily. Youths and others shooting low-poundage bows have no problem getting arrows to stick in hay bales, which can also handle large target faces. Hay bales, however, deteriorate quickly outdoors and even get munched by animals, so you’ll replace them often. It helps to cover them with a tarp or keep them in a barn or garage, but their bundles soon collapse when shot often.
Bag targets have a thick shell, usually woven polypropylene, and are stuffed with cotton or plastic-foam scraps. These midsize, inexpensive targets are easy to find, and they’re great for novice compound archers. They’re also portable, and can be quickly moved inside to avoid rain and sunlight, which degrade the material. Youths and recurve archers might discover their arrows don’t always penetrate the bag’s tough, pliable surface. Beginners might also struggle to hit these smaller targets. Hang or mount bag targets off the ground so you don’t shoot downward at them. Secure them tightly so they can’t tip over backward or fall forward onto your arrows.
As their name implies, layered foam targets are made from plastic-foam layers. They’re great for archers who shoot regularly. They hold up well and don’t shed residue as readily as bag targets do, unless you practice with broadheads. Don’t leave these targets outdoors, and don’t shoot into the same spot day after day. Those actions weaken these targets and shorten their lifespan.
Solid foam targets can handle repetitive daily shooting by advanced archers because they’re made of high-density plastic foam. They usually have long lifespans and can tolerate weather, making them great for outdoor use. Most modular foam targets have replaceable sections that renew their life after countless shooting sessions. These targets are expensive, but their high-quality designs make them last.
3-D targets are excellent for bowhunting practice. These life-size animal targets help bowhunters gain perspective and experience shooting at spots not marked by bull’s-eyes. You can also position them to simulate hunting situations. A 3-D target helps you evaluate your shot placement to ensure clean, ethical shots at multiple angles. These targets can be expensive, but most can handle broadheads, and they have replaceable inserts for their “vitals” section. Be sure to set up a backstop behind your 3-D target for occasional misses. A large piece of plywood or particle board suffices.
