Archery Backstop

[JCLINE84]

I just bought a house in the suburbs and have been pretty worried about shooting my trad bows in the back yard. Don't want to skip an arrow off of something and send it through the neighbors window. So I decided to make a backstop big enough that even I can't miss it. Took about 2 hours and cost right at $100 for everything including screws and bolts. Thought I would share it in case any of you have the same problem with close neighbors. The only thing I didn't get done today is mounting the wheels because I forgot to get two 3/8 inch nuts.

 

[JCLINE84]

Its a 4x6 foot 3/4 inch rubber stall mat from tractor supply. Probably going to put a shelf about 2 feet up to put targets on which should center them in the backstop and stop any low shots also. The wheels aren't a necessity but this thing is solid and kind of heavy. Figured it would make it easier to move around to mow the yard. They were less than $20 so it seemed like a good addition.

 

[Oakridge]

Those mats are awesome! Just started using one a few months ago but they work great with trad gear!

 

[JCLINE84]

Those mats are awesome! Just started using one a few months ago but they work great with trad gear!

I don't know how they work with compounds but with trad gear they pretty much bounce off lol

 

[ericabbott]

I don't know how they work with compounds but with trad gear they pretty much bounce off lol

Heavy arrows from a compound go through them and are a pain in the a** to get out. But it makes a great backstop for a block target. I cut mine in half and made two of them to backstop block or 3D targets.

 

[Murph4028]

Great job man. I've been kicking this idea around too. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[TNbowhunter]

I have a “double-wide” of this, and I love it (never thought I’d say those words - haha). My 55lbs. draw compound bow doesn’t punch through when I’ve tested it, but I only use it as a backdrop to a smaller but more durable target.

 

[Oakridge]

Yeah I wouldn’t want to use it as a dedicated target but as a back stop they stop arrows well. But can be a pain to get the arrows out.

 

[JCLINE84]

Great job man. I've been kicking this idea around too. Thanks for the ideas.

Remember when you're measuring and building that treated 2x4 aren't actually 2 inches by 4 inches lol. Had to rethink mine about halfway through

 

[Bigfoot522]

I dont have a backstop(wish I did) but I made a target I can hit without fail.

I'm going to restuff it soon and I will post a picture.
2x4 construction.

Shooting in close proximity of other houses is to be taken seriously.

 

[NikoTheBowHunter]

Great idea for a backstop. Having said that, maybe it’s old age or the fact I’ve experienced a miss fire myself but shooting in close proximity of other homes is a bit reckless in my book. All it takes is that one miss fire to send an arrow flying in a direction you weren’t prepared for. With the possibilities of things than could go wrong and what’s at stake if things did, not something I would want to risk. Just my 2 cents on the subject. Please be safe out there, not only for yourselves but for your neighbors as well. Cheers.

 

[JAYBO]

Great idea for a backstop. Having said that, maybe it’s old age or the fact I’ve experienced a miss fire myself but shooting in close proximity of other homes is a bit reckless in my book. All it takes is that one miss fire to send an arrow flying in a direction you weren’t prepared for. With the possibilities of things than could go wrong and what’s at stake if things did, not something I would want to risk. Just my 2 cents on the subject. Please be safe out there, not only for yourselves but for your neighbors as well. Cheers.

Thomas Jefferson said,
" I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." Trad yes, compound maybe not. Who knows, his neighbor might have a target on the other side of that privacy fence.

 

[TNbowhunter]

Great idea for a backstop. Having said that, maybe it’s old age or the fact I’ve experienced a miss fire myself but shooting in close proximity of other homes is a bit reckless in my book. All it takes is that one miss fire to send an arrow flying in a direction you weren’t prepared for. With the possibilities of things than could go wrong and what’s at stake if things did, not something I would want to risk. Just my 2 cents on the subject. Please be safe out there, not only for yourselves but for your neighbors as well. Cheers.

One option for enhancing safety is shooting toward your house (unless it’s brick and could ricochet) as a backdrop to your backstop. I had a misfire with my drop-away rest last week and would’ve been panicking about shooting a neighbor if my trusty vinyl siding hadn’t caught the arrow. It’s a bummer to poke a hole in your siding, but sure beats sending an arrow into the neighborhood.

 

[ricky racer]

FYI, a privacy fence will not stop an arrow. Don't ask me how I know....

 

[Mddave]

I use mine just as a target. I hang tennis balls in front of it. or if im feeling really froggy that day a couple of yellow thumb tacks in various locations. aim small miss small right? this is for trad bow only though.

 

[JCLINE84]

I'm not shooting toward any houses. Just worry about some freak occurrence sending a ricochet in some dangerous direction. Honestly it's probably not even a possibility but better safe than sorry

 

[ericabbott]

Was paper tuning and missed the block target, arrow made it about 1/3 way through the mat before bumping into the plywood backstop. I don't think the arrow would have made it through the mat even if it didn't hit the plywood.

 

[AccPrnHunter]

I’ve never actually built a backstop, but my son and I shoot in our yard which backs up to some row home yards behind me. I use an old truck bed liner, the heavy rubber pad that covers the truck bed and drape it over the corner of our split rail fence. I’ve never had an arrow go through the rubber even if missing the block all together. We shoot all 3. Recurve, compound, and crossbow. I rarely ever shoot target points at all. I always practice with some of the older fixed blade broadheads that I shoot for hunting. Now you guys have my gears turning. Damn, now I have to build one with a shelf and wheels. Lol. Good hunting and stay safe!

 

[Postalblues]

Built this last year pretty happy with it. Horse mat is a heavy sum bitch.

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[ericabbott]

Built this last year pretty happy with it. Horse mat is a heavy sum bitch.

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Ok you win the prize, that is an awesome setup. Nice work man!