Need archery backstop for the kids.

OK, and occasionally for me.

My kids like to shoot in the back yard and currently the only safe direction is to use the back of the garage as a huge final backstop so there’s no chance the arrow goes anywhere. Obviously, even with our 24 x 24 inch target block, the siding is taking a bit of a beating. Not from me, from the kids, obviously. And this arrangement is hard on arrows.

I’d like something like a 4×4 foot home-built backstop. What are my options? Anyone built one similar?

Keep in mind, this is a safety backstop I’m looking for, NOT a target backer or target block. This stops the wayward arrows, our target block is a 24 x 24 inch Hurricane and right now that block stops 95% of the arrows from the kids anyway, so this is just added protection, I don’t need something that will take 10,000 arrow hits. I’ve probably missed the block twice total, but I suppose it could happen again.

Currently, the oldest is drawing about 12-15 pounds, but it will only go up from here. And, of course, I have to take the occasional shot or 20 to show them how it’s done so this top needs to be able to stop at least 50 pounds at 10 yards.

This would have to sit outside all the time, I don’t have room to be bringing it inside after every use. I’ve looked at the pre-built options and I don’t want to spend anywhere near that kind of money.

The old hay bale solution is too much of a mess, so I don’t want to go that way.

I was thinking of buying 2 sheets of 1 inch thick 4×8 styro insulation, cutting them in half, and then stacking them with a scrap piece of carpet sandwiched between layers 3 and 4 for extra stopping power. So a total thickness of 4 inches of R5 styro and then a carpet layer.

I’d frame the sheets of styro in a 2×6 frame and put support feet on it so it stands nice. I’m figuring total of $60-75 all in.

Is that enough? Is it overkill?

Anybody else have a better or cheaper solution they’ve cooked up? i see a lot of guys use sold layers of scrap carpet, but I don’t have good source for carpet and it’s kind of a pain to get it held upright and secure in a frame. Also not sure how Mrs Grouse would feel about having somebodies used 1978 green shag carpet that they’ve done who knows what on out there hanging up to dry in her back yard…

Thoughts?

Grouse

I plan on making one for my house using one of the thick rubber mats from tractor supply or fleet farm. Price was under $20 when I ran across them earlier this summer. I’m planning on building a stand out of 2x4s.

dbright wrote:

I plan on making one for my house using one of the thick rubber mats from tractor supply or fleet farm. Price was under $20 when I ran across them earlier this summer. I’m planning on building a stand out of 2x4s.

Hmmm. That might be a better option and cheaper as well. Are you going with just the one layer of rubber mat or multiple layers?

Is the idea that it just hangs from the top edge so that the movement of the mat when the arrow hits it will help absorb some of the energy?

Never seen those, but that mat sounds like it has higher-density for the thickness. Probably more impervious to the weather as well.

Thanks for the suggestion. Will look into this for sure.

Anyone else built one?

Grouse

When I was a kid my uncle had something similar with an old army canvas tarp, the olive colored heavy ones. The range was in his basement and it was held up from the floor joists. It worked great for my youth bow but can’t imagine that it would hold up to something greater that 40lbs or so.

I like the idea of the sheet rubber or maybe even rubber roofing if you could find some used stuff. Separating two layers with a small space in between I would imagine would stop most reasonable compound speeds. Not sure how hard it would be on arrows though.

Good luck. Would love to see what you come up with you are done.

skyblaster wrote:

I like the idea of the sheet rubber or maybe even rubber roofing if you could find some used stuff. Separating two layers with a small space in between I would imagine would stop most reasonable compound speeds. Not sure how hard it would be on arrows though.

Well, to be clear, what I’m after is strictly a “safety stop” to catch any arrow that misses the target block before it hits the side of the garage. I’m not designing a “primary stop” that will be expected to take repeated hits from any bow.

I’m sure with my kids bows, it will stop their arrows just fine. As in their arrows will likely bounce off. Arrows from my bow will probably penetrate it, but I can’t see them going through. If they do, I’ll double up on the rubber matting. My design accounts for this.

On other forums, many guys have stressed how important it is for the backstop material to swing freely and give in response to a hit. This appears to almost double the relative strength of the stop because it absorbs so much of the arrow’s energy. So my design has the rubber backstop material hanging only from the top edge.

I’m going to try the rubber mat. I have another project that’s clutter up the shop right now, so that has to get done before I can start in on something new, but I’ll post pics.

Grouse

I have some old rubber conveyor belting hanging around my 20×20 target in my backyard. After having had a few arrows go haywire into my brand new wood fence, the wife wasn’t exactly enthused about the new viewing holes. The arrows never go through or even get close, but it isn’t something to make a habit of. I ended up making a frame out of 2×4’s and just screwing the old belting to the top and let it hang. I got the belting from a previous employer as they were going to throw it away. I would post pictures, but it has been taken down for the season…

Letting it hang freely, my 63lb bow will penetrate but not go in more than a couple inches. I wish I had children I could blame it on…

I made one 4′ square using old clothes and it has taken at least a 1000 hits this year with no signs of wear.

Make a box with 2×12 4′ wide. I used 6′ boards on the side and with 4′ boards in between. The top board needs a hole cut in it about 6″ wide and a foot long. Cover the two openings with a layer of chicken wire, then a plastic tarp or landscape fabric. Now stuff the inside with old clothes. Put a bunch in, pack down with a 2×4, add more, pack more. Once its full, cover up the hole to prevent weather from getting in, I used a piece of tin roofing that overlapped a foot. Screw a 24″ 2×4 on the bottom of the legs for support and start shooting!! You may have to repack the clothes after 3-400 shots, but then it’ll be good to go.

You can get the clothes from any goodwill of thrift store, they always have some that are not good enough to sell. You MUST remove buttons and zippers first, but a pair of EMS sheers makes it easy. You will need 6-7 garbage bags of clothes.

I made it for $35.

DIY: Lifetime Archery Target

There are several discarded political signs from people’s yards probably available for a nominal price. Bind about 100 of them together of your favorite (or maybe not so favorite) candidate – Ready, aim … and fire away!!

We built a frame and hung 2- 4’x 6’x 3/4″ rubber horse stall mats side by side. My problem wasn’t arrows hitting the garage, it was looking for arrows that missed the target and the 6ft high sewer mound that was behind it.