How To Build An Archery Target For A Compound Bow: Top 5 DIY Ideas

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By the end of this article, you will know how to build functional archery targets from hay bales, cardboard boxes, bags, foam mats, and wood. Why is this important? 

If you are an archery devotee like me, or you like to give this rewarding sport a chance, you must practice, just like the New York State Department of Conservation recommends. In fact, “practice makes perfect” should be your mantra if you want to become a successful archer.

To practice, you need a target. You can always buy one, but if you want to save money and have fun, I suggest you make it! I’ve done it many times, and today I will teach you how to build an archery target for a compound bow all by yourself!

Top 5 DIY Archery Target Ideas

A man taking aim at an archery target

You do not have to spend a fortune to build your own archery targets. The ideas I’ll show you below can be turned into reality with stuff you probably already have around your house. 

How To Make A Hay Archery Target

Multiple archery targets in a row

A hay target might be the most popular homemade archery target, especially among newbies. My friends and I used to make hay bale targets for a compound bow similar to that shown in the video below. They are cheap and easy to make.  

What You Need

  • Four to six hay bales (I recommend you get compacted straw hay bales – they are harder to find and more expensive but do not fall apart as easily)
  • Ratchet straps
  • Long nails
  • Printed targets 

Steps

It will take you about 25 minutes

Follow these simple steps to make a hay archery target.

  1. Ensure You Have Enough Straw Hay B Follow these steps to make a hey archery targetales


    Measure the desired target height and width, then calculate how many bales you’ll need to build it. Buy enough bales and have them ready before you start.

  2. Stack The Hay Bales


    You can stack the bales directly on the ground, but I recommend using a target stand. You can learn how to make one in the video provided later on.

  3. Tighten The Ratchet Straps Around The Bales


    Compress the hay bales as much as possible and then place the ratchet straps around them to prevent them from falling apart.

  4. Attach The Paper Targets


    Print a paper target and then use the long nails to pin its corners to the hay bale. Alternatively, you can use some paper plates and draw circles on them.

Pros

  • Cheap materials
  • Easy to make – even kids can do it!
  • Doubles as a backstop

Cons

  • Gets loose over time (especially if the hay gets wet or you move it around a lot)
  • Should be moved inside during inclement weather
  • Requires maintenance

Extra Tip:

If your arrows go into the hay bales up to the fletching, compress the hay bales more. I suggest using additional straps. 

How To Make A Cardboard Archery Target

A cardboard target is an inexpensive and easy-to-build DIY option. As long as you keep it dry, it can last quite a long time. It is light and easy to move around, so I always bring my own archery target made from cardboard inside after practice.

What You Need

  • Large cardboard box
  • Stuffing (old rags, cardboard, carpet pieces, plastic bags, wrappings, or hay)
  • Duct tape
  • Printed-out paper targets or color markers (according to Archery GB, the national governing body for the sport of archery in the UK, the target face should measure 80 centimeters).

Steps

  1. Find An Adequate Cardboard Box 

Look for a box big enough to pose as a target and firm enough to shoot arrows at. I prefer square boxes since they make for the most stable archery targets.

  1. Fill The Cardboard Box With The Material Of Your Choice

Fill the box well enough to stop the arrow. Make sure you stuff as much material in it as you possibly can. The more compressed this material is, the better. 

  1. Seal The Box

Use duct tape to seal the box nicely. I also use it to strengthen the sides of the box.

  1. Attach Or Draw The Target

Use duct tape to attach the printed paper target or draw rings directly on the box.

  1. Test The Target In An Open Area

Shoot at the target from closer than usual to ensure your arrows do not travel through the target and avoid losing or damaging them or hurting someone. If they go through, add stuffing or use a larger cardboard box. 

Pros

  • Inexpensive, especially when made from recycled materials
  • Excellent for light backyard target shooting
  • Super-easy to make
  • No maintenance

Cons

  • Have to be stored inside not to get wet
  • Not suitable for high-powered crossbows or with a draw weight of over 30 lbs

Extra Tip:

According to Peter Campell, a seasoned archer who created the Archers Hub, cardboard often causes damage to broad-head arrows. It is thus best to stick to bullet point arrows with this type of target. 

How To Make A Bag Archery Target

A woman pulling arrows from a bag archery target
Image Credit: flickr.com

Bag targets are as easy to make and inexpensive. Their advantage is that they can handle bad weather, especially when filled with plastic bags.

What You Need

  • A burlap or grain sack (there are also dedicated empty archery target bags)
  • Stuffing (I use old clothes, but hay, pieces of old carpet, and used plastic bags will do too)
  • Cardboard 
  • Duct tape
  • Printed targets

Steps

  1. Line the Inside Of The Bag With Cardboard 

Cut out the cardboard to match the size of your bag. You should have three pieces to line the front and back side of the bag and its bottom. The cardboard helps retain the shape of the bag targets and doubles as a backstop material that prevents the arrows from piercing all the way through.

  1. Fill The Bag

No matter what filling you have chosen to use, you must ensure it is compressed well enough to stop an arrow from going through.

  1. Close The Top of The Bag

Tape down the top of the bag. I also use some tape to strengthen the sides and bottom of the bag.

  1. Attach The Printed Target

I usually tape down the corners of the paper target. Alternatively, use long nails to pin it down.

Pros

  • Budget-friendly (if you recycle, it might not cost you a dime!)
  • Easy to make
  • Sturdy enough to handle carbon arrows shot from a compound bow with a draw weight of up to 30lbs

Cons

  • Not very durable

Extra Tip:

You can hang bag targets or place them on a stand. I made a target stand to hang my bag targets. You can check this idea out in the video posted further below! 

How To Make A Foam Mat Archery Target

An arrow stuck in a foam mat archery target
Image Credit: flickr.com

Foam mat archery targets are more durable than those made from hay or cardboard, especially if you remove the mats that are falling apart and put in new ones from time to time. It is best to make a frame, too, because, in my experience, that makes replacing the mats simpler. There are two ways to stack the foam mats – vertically and horizontally.

What You Need 

  • 5 packs of foam mats or puzzle mats (usually, there are 10 1×1 foot mats in the pack)
  • 4 2×4 boards (of standard 8-foot length)
  • 4 lengths of threaded rod (5/16″ diameter)
  • 8 5/16″nuts 
  • Spanner wrench
  • 8 washers (ensure their inner diameter matches your threaded rods)
  • Electric drill
  • Long nails
  • Printed target

Steps

  1. Stack The Mats 

If you choose to stack the mats vertically, your target will be made of the sides of the mates, so you should stack them pretty high. Nonetheless, I prefer this method because it makes it easier to replace the mats once they get damaged from target practice.

If you want to stack the mats horizontally, your target face will be the flat part of the last mat. So lay down the mats on top of each other until you reach the depth of the target you want. I usually use at least 10 mats, but you should consider the strength of your bow and the type of arrows you are using.

  1. Drill Holes In The 2×4 Boards

Use the driller to drill holes in the boards. The distance between two holes on a board should match the width of your stacked mats. The holes should be big enough to pass the threaded rod through them.

  1. Run The Threaded Rods Through The Holes

Place the threaded rods through all the holes you have drilled. Position the washers and nuts on each rod. You can cut threaded rods, as explained by RS PRO, which has been providing products and solutions to engineers for over 80 years. 

  1. Compress The Foam Mats In Between The 2×4 Boards

Place the stacked mats between the boards so that the threaded rods are positioned on each side. Next, use your spanner wrench to tighten the nuts and compress the mats. The foam mats should not move at all but should be loose enough for you to remove your arrows. I usually shoot a couple of arrows to make sure my nuts are tightened up appropriately.

  1. Attach The Printed Target

Use the long nails to pin the printed target to the stacked mats.

Pros

  • Ideal for shooting field point arrows or hunting arrows
  • Easy to repair
  • Weather-proof 

Cons

  • Arrows will eat at the foam over time 
  • Might leave debris in your yard 

Extra Tip:

If you intend to use only bullet point arrows or target arrows, you can stack pieces of cardboard or old carpet instead of foam mats. The more cardboard or carpet pieces you compress, the better.

How To Make A Wood Box Archery Target

Three archery targets in a row
Image Credit: flickr.com

Wood box archery targets are the hardest to make, but they will last for years as long as you replenish the stuffing and replace the target face about once a year. You can use them with all types of arrows described by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

What You Need

  • Eight 4-foot long 2×4 boards (I suggest getting the standard 8-foot boards and cutting them in half)
  • Four pieces of 2′ by 4′ plywood
  • One piece of  4′ by 4′ plywood
  • Burlap or grain sack
  • Screwdriver
  • 2 1/2″ to 3″ screws
  • Staple gun 
  • Staples
  • Stuffing material (I have used plastic pallet wraps and packing material, but you can use any stuffing I have mentioned earlier)
  • Spray paint

Steps

  1. Make Two Square Frames

Use the screwdriver to connect four 2×4’ boards to make a perfect square. Repeat the process to make one more square. If you are not sure how to do this, check the video further down. 

  1. Join The Frames Together

Join two frames by attaching a piece of 2′ by 4′ plywood at three sides. One end should remain open.

  1. Close The Back Of The Target

Attach the 4′ by 4′ plywood piece to the back of the target to close it. 

  1. Close The Front Of The Target

Use the staple gun to staple the burlap or grain sack to the front of the frame. This will be your target face.

  1. Fill The Frame With Stuffing

Fill the wooden frame with stuffing through the opening you have left. Compress the stuffing as much as possible because it acts as a backstop material.

  1. Close The Opening On The Frame

Attach the last 2′ by 4′ plywood piece to close the target from all sides.

  1. Spray Paint The Target

Use the spray paint to draw the target.

Pros

  • Durable and long-lasting solution
  • Easy maintenance
  • Suitable for all types of arrows and bows

Cons

  • The most expensive and difficult-to-make option
  • An “overkill” for newbies and those who only do occasional target practice
  • Not mobile 

Extra Tip:

The wooden frame is quite heavy, so I suggest adding wheels to its bottom to move it around.

Helpful Videos 

It is always a good idea to make a target stand that will keep your DIY target in place, so here is a great video that shows you how to do it:

If you are a visual learner, check out a video that shows how to make a hay bale target similar to that I have provided instruction for: 

If you want to make the same target stand for hanging bag targets as I did, check out the following video:

For an explanation and demonstration of how to screw wood onto wood, watch the video below:

FAQs

What is the best material for archery target?

The best material for an archery target is foam. It is a more expensive DIY archery backstop material than hay or cardboard. It is also more durable and long-lasting. An old carpet can be a good solution, too.

Can I set up an archery target at home?

You can set up an archery target at home after only a few hours of work. According to Jace Bauserman, a former editor of Bowhunting World and Archery Business magazines, building your indoor archery range isn’t difficult. It would be best to combine bag and foam mat targets.

How big should an archery target be?

An archery target should be less than 80 cm in diameter for a compound bow and 122 cm in diameter for a recurve bow and barebow. These target face dimensions correspond to the rules of the World Archery, the international federation for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of archery.

What can I use as a target for archery?

As a target for archery, you can use hay bales, stuffed cardboard boxes, stacks of foam mats, or old carpet pieces. You can also make a wooden frame box and fill it with the backstop material of your choice.

Will plywood stop an arrow?

Plywood will probably stop an arrow, but that depends on numerous factors, such as the type and thickness of the plywood, the speed of the arrow, and the shape of its head. However, in my experience, most arrows splinter when they hit 1/4-inch plywood.

Final Thoughts

A person using wooden archery bow

Do you like my suggestions? 

In my personal experience, these five DIY targets you can use to aim your compound bow at are the best options for practicing archery at home.

You can choose the appropriate target from the list depending on your skill level and expectations, and build it in a couple of hours. Hence, if you are quick about it, you can start practicing today!
If you need my help, contact me through the comment section. Please share this article with fellow archery enthusiasts too.

Photo of author

Eric Patton

Eric Patton is a Wild West survivalist, an expert in archery and ancient living techniques, and a writer. He has hunted, fished, and hiked all over the Eastern United States and as much of the West. Passionate about nature, he believes in its importance and educates others through his storytelling. He also teaches outdoors skills, land navigation, and first aid classes. Stay connected by joining him on Twitter!

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