When you first start shooting archery it seems a bit awkward. You are using movements and muscles that you have probably never used before, at least not for this purpose. So it is no surprise that you won’t start out hitting bullseyes. You will get there, just not at first. It makes sense that your first targets need to be big enough to act as target and backstop at the same time. Not to mention you probably don’t want to invest a ton of money when getting started with archery. With that in mind here are three DIY archer target options that you can make and not break the bank.

Make Archery Targets Using What You Already Have

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The first target is simply a cardboard box. The bigger the better. An empty appliance box is perfect. Check with your local appliance store or chase down a delivery truck. They are large and thick enough to stop an arrow from a low draw weight youth bow. You can draw your own bullseye with a marker or paint one on with left over spray paint. If you want a more conventional target, attach a paper target face to the box. If your arrow goes through the front of the box, fill it with something to help slow the arrow down. Things that work well are more cardboard boxes, old rugs or carpet, old clothes, etc.

Affordable Archery Targets Using Hay Bales

Bales of common hay make a great backstop/target. Three bales stacked on top of each other is just the right size for a beginning archer. Again you can spray paint a bullseye or use a paper target faces. Prior to synthetic foam materials, hay and straw were very common materials for targets, as far back as archery goes. You will be in good company.

DIY Styrofoam Sheets Archery Target

Styrofoam sheet insulation can make a great target. Purchase a 2” thick 48” x 96” sheet, available at most home improvement stores. Cut it into three 48” x 32” pieces. Using an adhesive, glue the three pieces together. I used Liquid Nails Project. It works good and it is cheap. Use the whole tube, half on the top sheet and half on the bottom. Lay the glued pieces flat on an even hard surface, like the garage floor, and place something on top with enough weight to hold everything firmly pressed together. Boards, paint cans, tires, etc., you have something that will work.

Have everything cut to size, a flat area picked out and your weights ready before applying the glue. The last thing you want is for your glue to dry before you are done assembling the project. Don’t ask me how I know. Let the target dry overnight. The following day prop it against something to hold it up, I use a step ladder, and shoot away. I would use the paper target faces with this target, as solvent based markers and paints can melt styrofoam.

I use roofing nails to hold the paper target faces on the styrofoam and cardboard targets. If you don’t have those laying around, they make target pins for this purpose. For the hay bales you need something a little longer. I make pins from old wire clothes hangers. But if you are an all plastic hanger household, you can use landscape pins. I recently discovered several downloadable files for 3D printed target pins in different styles and lengths if you have a printer, they can be of use.

If you look at ready made targets online, remember to check the size, most of what you find that will seem like a good deal are only 24″ or less. Our goal at this stage is to have something big enough to act as a backstop as well as a target. Chasing lost arrows isn’t fun. The whole point of this is to have fun, while building your skill level.

Additional Archery Basics to Get Started on Your Journey

There are a lot of choices for archery equipment these days. It can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. My goal is to give you no nonsense guidance so you can get straight to the fun part of the sport of archery. With that in mind here are some helpful post for the beginner archer:

• Where To Start When Buying Your First Archery Bow
• Three Need To Know Things When Choosing Your Arrows
• Three Must Have Archery Accessories