{"id":478,"date":"2015-06-01T09:48:51","date_gmt":"2015-06-01T09:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.3riversarchery.com\/?p=478"},"modified":"2023-10-31T09:34:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T14:34:33","slug":"diy-traditional-archery-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3riversarchery.com\/blog\/diy-traditional-archery-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Traditional Archery Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Yellow<\/a><\/p>\n

For the traditional archer, high quality archery targets are awesome, but they can get expensive quick. Personally, I love my Yellow Jacket Supreme<\/a>, but there are many people who love traditional archery because of the DIY aspect, which seems to accompany the sport. It\u2019s for those reasons that I\u2019ve decided to do a DIY traditional archery target blog.<\/p>\n

Note: These DIY projects are meant as traditional archery targets; although they may work, they are not meant for compound or crossbow shooters.<\/em><\/p>\n

All supplies are not created equal, for this reason I recommend taking a few practice shots at close range at half draw to make sure the target is stopping your arrows. Slowly increase your draw until you\u2019re at full draw at close range. If the target is still doing its job, then feel free to enjoy your new DIY traditional archery target.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Dressed-Up Bag of Mulch<\/strong><\/p>\n

Difficulty level: 1\/10<\/p>\n

Cost: Less than $15<\/p>\n

Time: About 5 minutes<\/p>\n

\"Morrell<\/a>The name of the game for this project is \u201cCheap.\u201d We\u2019re keeping costs down while maintaining functionality. For this project you\u2019ll need a Polypropylene Target Face and a bag of tightly packed mulch or peat moss from your local hardware store. You want the bag of mulch or moss to be at least 12\u201d thick and VERY TIGHTLY PACKED. I prefer moss because it\u2019s less likely to mess-up your arrows. This target is great because any mess that\u2019s created will benefit your lawn, so there\u2019s really no impact on the environment when the target starts to fall apart.<\/p>\n

After you\u2019ve got your supplies, simply affix your burlap target face onto the front of the bag of mulch or moss (unopened). You\u2019re done. What\u2019s bad about this target? It\u2019s not going to stand the test of time. So, although it is cheap and easy to make, be prepare for it to break down quickly.<\/p>\n

For a more lasting target, you might consider putting your mulch or moss inside of the U-Fill It bag target<\/a>\u00a0or, for an even better (self-healing) target, put your\u00a0bag of moss inside of the Replacement Cover for the Yellow Jacket Supreme<\/a>. You’ve just made a long-term, outdoor target that is good for your lawn for less than $25.<\/p>\n

The Saran Wrap Filled Box <\/strong><\/p>\n

Difficulty level: 1\/10<\/p>\n

Cost: Less than $10<\/p>\n

Time: About 10 minutes<\/p>\n

\"Peel<\/p>\n

If you saw the Dressed-Up Bag of Mulch and thought that the price was still a bit much, then this is the project for you. You\u2019ll need an empty box, a bunch of used plastic wrap (enough to fill the box), some duct tape, and a Peel and Stick Target Face.<\/p>\n

Note: If you ask a local business (try a superstore or hardware store) you might be able to get the box and plastic wrap for free, which would really keep the cost down. You could also try factories, as they have a ton of excess plastic wrap from shipments.<\/p>\n

The bigger the box, the bigger the target \u2013 however, the bigger the box, the more plastic wrap you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n

After you have all of your supplies, stuff the box with the plastic wrap. Stuff it in until it\u2019s impossible to fill it anymore. Just like the Dressed-Up Bag of Mulch, you want this target very tightly packed. After you\u2019re sure it\u2019s packed, close it up and tape it shut with the duct tape. Finally, stick your target face on the box and voila \u2013 you\u2019re done.<\/p>\n

This project is not only easy, but it can be nearly free for those traditional archers who can easily come by the supplies. However, cardboard will not hold up in the rain (or in any wet conditions) and it will break down quickly if you use it often (as it is not self-healing).<\/p>\n

The Compressed Carpet Target<\/strong><\/p>\n

Difficulty level: 3\/10<\/p>\n

Cost: Less than $50<\/p>\n

Time: About 2 hours<\/p>\n

\"Whitetail<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a bit more adventurous and you\u2019re not afraid to spend a few extra bucks then this is the target for you. For this project you\u2019ll need to visit your local hardware store and pick up a pressure treated 2x12x8 (should be about $12), four 36\u201d x 5\/8\u201d standard threaded rods (about $6 each), eight 5\/8\u201d x 1-3\/4\u201d zinc-plated standard flat washers (less than $0.20 each), and eight 5\/8\u201d- 11 zinc-plated standard hex nuts (less than $0.20 each). You\u2019ll also need a decent target face and some target face pins<\/a>. Finally, you\u2019re going to need a whole lot of scrap carpet. This is really the biggest variable in price for this whole project. If you\u2019ve got the scrap laying around then you\u2019re going to save yourself a lot of money. However, if you have to buy it, try and find the extra carpet from you local big-box hardware store, you should be able to buy a lot of it for not a lot of money.<\/p>\n

For tools, it would be best if you had at least two pipe clamps or some ratchet straps, but if not, then your elbow grease will have to do. You will also need a knife, saw, measuring tape, drill with a 5\/8\u201d drill bit, and a 5\/8\u201d wrench.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to cut your 2x12x8 in half, which will give you two 2x12x4s. Drill a hole in each of the four corners of both boards. You\u2019ll want to make sure each hole is 1\u201d away from the end and side of the board. After you\u2019ve threaded one side of each of your standard rods with a washer and hex nut push each rod through one of the holes on one of your boards (use your measuring tape to make sure the same amount of rod is sticking through each nut).<\/p>\n

Now, you will want to cut your carpet in 12\u201dx3\u2019 10\u201d sections (you\u2019re not cutting them 4\u2019 long because your holes are 1\u201d deep on both sides, which effectively makes your target 2\u201d smaller). After you\u2019ve cut your carpet, start stacking it on top of the board that has the rods threaded through it. Stack it as high as you can \u2013 ideally until it\u2019s almost at the top of your rods.<\/p>\n

Next, you\u2019re going to put your second board on top of your pile of carpet. Thread the screws through the holes you drilled earlier. Put on the washer and the hex nut \u2013 make sure the hex nuts are all finger tight. Gently lay the target on its side and pack it down with your feet to make sure the carpet on one side of the target is flush. Stand the target back up and tighten the boards down with your pipe clamps or ratchet straps. Get them as tight as you can and then re-tighten your hex nuts. If you don\u2019t have pipe clamps or ratchet straps, then you\u2019ll have to tighten the hex nuts with your wrench as much as you can. If needed, you can sit on the target, or apply pressure with your knee to aid in compressing the carpet. After you\u2019ve gotten the hex nuts as tight as they\u2019ll get, use your measuring tape to make sure an equal amount of the rod is coming out of each hole.<\/p>\n

Now you\u2019re ready to apply your target face and send some arrows down range. This target is great for those traditional archers who want a target that will last a long time\u00a0and are determined to make their target themselves.<\/p>\n

Clear as mud, right? If you’re having trouble visualizing it, then the below video might help<\/p>\n