If you are a Beginner Archer, a good target is one of the most essential pieces of equipment you will need. Not all targets are created equal, however, and choosing one that suits your particular needs is critical.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best archery targets for practice so that you can decide which one is right for you.
Benefits of Archery Targets
There are many Benefits of Archery and using an archery target. For one, it can help you improve your aim. By shooting at a target, you can see precisely where your arrows are hitting and make the necessary adjustments to improve your accuracy. In addition, an archery target can also help you increase your shooting distance.
By practicing with a target, you can gradually increase the distance you are comfortable shooting. This is important because it will make you a more versatile archer and better prepared for hunting or competition.
Secondly, targets are also perfect devices to test the equipment itself. Suppose you are a bowhunter or competing even in a local tournament. Trying your equipment before getting to the actual stage is essential. If you have a crossbow, you can also check the bow’s calibration via targets.
Lastly, they will build confidence in you. Archery, just like any other sport, needs a lot of practice. If you practice with good targets, you will get better over time. Your skills will improve, along with your confidence and self-esteem.
Related: How To Build An Ultimate Backyard Archery Range On A Budget At Home
Choosing the Best Archery Target for You
Now that you know more about the different types of archery targets, it is time to choose the best one for you. When making your decision, there are a few things you will need to consider.
First, think about what type of shooting you will be doing.
If you are starting out, a foam target might be your best choice. However, if you are an experienced shooter, choose a paper or 3D target.
Second, consider your budget. Archery targets can range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. If you are on a tight budget, a foam target might be your best choice. However, consider a paper or 3D target if you have more money.
Third, think about where you will be using your target. If you plan on shooting in your backyard, a foam target might be the best choice. If you plan on shooting at a range or in the woods, however, you might want to choose a paper or 3D target.
Finally, consider your level of experience. If you are a beginner archer, choose a foam target. However, if you are an experienced shooter, choose a paper or 3D target.
Types of Archery Targets
Now that we have discussed some of the benefits of using an archery target, let us take a look at some of the different types that are available.
Foam Targets
One of the most popular types of archery targets is the foam target. Foam targets are great because they are lightweight and easy to transport. They are also relatively inexpensive, which makes them a good option for beginner archers. However, one downside to foam targets is that they do not last as long as other types of targets. Still, they are very durable.
They usually come in blocks, and the best thing about them is that they are very portable and easy to handle. You can take them with you on a hunting/camping trip, place them in your backyard, or place them in your basement and you will be good to practice.
The durability in these blocks comes from the fact that when it is struck by an arrow, that may be a simple field point or a fixed blade broadhead – the target distributes the impact evenly on the surface, instead of a specific point. Therefore, there is a possibility that you could damage the target while removing the arrow. Thus it is important to check the quality of the foam target.
Foam targets are best used if you are planning to use practice for completive archery, hunting practice, or sighting bows – honestly, anyone who wants to shoot from home. Although we do not recommend these foam targets if you are using high-powered compound bows.
If you are interested in these types of targets, then check them out from the links below.
Rinehart® 18-1 Broadhead Target
Block Vault 4-Sided Archery Target with Polyfusion Technology
Paper / Bullseye Targets
Another popular type of target is the paper target. These are the “classical” archery targets that you see on TV and in the Olympics.
Paper targets are a good choice for intermediate and advanced archers because they provide a more realistic shooting experience. They are a great option for ranges, camps, or even for your backyard. They are not the most durable type, and we do not recommend them if you are using compound bows. However, nonetheless, they are good targets for you to practice.
Check these targets from the link below:
Southland Archery Supply SAS 10-Ring Paper Target Face
Bag Style Targets
Bag-style targets for archery are another type of target. These types of targets are the simplest in the market and easy to handle. They are filled with either straw or plastic pellets and are designed to stop your arrows. One of the biggest advantages of bag-style targets is that since it is filled with arrow-stopping materials, all of the surfaces of the target can stop the arrow.
Another great thing about bag-style targets is that you can add or remove materials in them to increase or decrease stopping power according to the strength of your bow. The arrows are easy to remove from bag targets as well without damaging the arrow or the target.
However, you should be careful with using broadhead arrows with them as it is difficult to remove them from the bag. Their shape causes the fabric of the bag to tear up and could damage the target as well. Furthermore, these targets are not weather-friendly. They are prone to UV rays damage, or rain. Although some companies target their bags as water-resistant, however, it is best to keep them indoors to prolong their life.
These target practices are great for beginners to Ba intermediate and even advanced archers because they provide a more realistic shooting experience. Not only they can take a heavy beating from beginner archers, but can also be customized to tweak their stopping power for more advanced players.
Here are some links if you’re thinking about buying
Morrell Outdoor Weatherproof Durable Range Adult Field Point Archery Bag
3D Targets
There are also 3D targets. 3D targets are designed to look like real animals, and they can be a great way to practice your hunting skills. They often take shape of animals such as deer, turkeys or even a bear. This is so that the archer has a complete practice hunting experience before the actual game.
The design of the targets suggests that they are meant for hunting. One of the biggest advantages of these targets is that they take the shape and form of a real-life animal. You can see exactly where you are shooting, and that can help you to practice shots on vital organs and improve your accuracy. You can also test different angles to shoot from as well to check how your shot would proceed if that was the case in real-life hunting as well.
One thing to note about these targets is that you will be focusing on the vital organs of the animal, usually the stomach area instead of the whole animal. Thus your target and focus would be around that area. Since the vital spots would be getting much more important, they will degrade faster as well. This isn’t much of a concern however since good 3D targets have foam replacement for their vital areas.
However, 3D targets can be quite expensive, and they can be difficult to transport.
Here are some links if you’re thinking about buying a 3D Target.
Shooter Buck 3D Deer Archery Target
Shooter Field Logic 3D Archery Hog
Shooter Field Logic 3D Archery Turkey Target
DIY Targets
DIY targets are do-it-yourself targets that you can make at home, or build through building blocks. One concern for us is that DIY targets should only be made up of experienced archers. If you are a beginner archer, then you should stay away from this for a while. As you can’t simply make targets out of anything. You need these targets to stop arrows as well, and if you are not experienced with archery of the power your bow has, and what’s required to stop it, there is a possibility that you could have the arrow flying back at you. Thus, safety is very important. If you are to make one, then foam would be an alright material for it, and if you are unsure on how much to use, then it’s better to have excess material than less.
Related: Best Beginner Compound Bows For Women
Factors To Consider When Buying an Archery Target
There are a couple of factors to look at before investing in an archery target. Firstly, it is always great to have a Peep Sight on your bow. It always helps while shooting the targets. Anyway, before we digress, here are the factors you should consider while looking at an archery target.
Shooting Sides
The first factor you want to consider is how many sides the target has. The most popular targets have four sides, but there are also six and eight-sided targets. These types of targets have multiple shooting angles. You can hang them from anywhere and have a shot at them.
However, these types of targets are handy. However, beginner archers at home fire straight, making the other sides of the target a little useless.
Size and Portability
The next factor to consider is the size of the target. The most popular size is the 20-inch target. However, there are also smaller and larger targets. However, a general rule of thumb is that if you are a beginner archer, you should go with a bigger target.
As traditional/recursive bows are more complicated to hit more accurately. Therefore, if you are a beginner, the bigger the target size, the better it is for your learning. The size of the target will determine how easy it is to transport and how long it will last.
Material and Durability
The next factor to consider is the material of the target. The most popular materials are foam, paper, and bag style. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. However, the more challenging or sturdier the material is, the better and longer it will last.
Some people like to leave their targets outside after practice, so you would want something that could also withstand the essential climate. However, bringing the targets back into your house after you are done with them is always good practice.
Stopping Power
Another factor to consider is the stopping power of the target. The most popular targets are the ones that can stop your arrows at even arrows coming at 500 feet per second. However, some will continue your arrows. The stopping power of the target will determine how often you need to replace your target.
Self-Healing Material
The last factor to consider is the self-healing material. The most popular self-healing materials are foam and bag style. These targets ‘self-heal’ by collapsing on themselves when an arrow is pulled.
This increases the longevity of the target, as the chemicals inside the material will always try to ‘fix’ it when an arrow strikes it. The self-healing material will determine how often you need to replace your target.
Arrow Removal
The final factor to consider is arrow removal. The most popular targets have easy arrow removal. However, you want your arrow to penetrate the target as deep as it can. However, some (low-quality) targets are difficult to remove your arrows from. Thus, drawing an arrow from such a target will be time-consuming and could damage the arrow and the target.
Conclusion
No matter what your needs are, there is an archery target that is right for you. By taking the time to choose the best one, you can be sure that you will get the most out of your practice sessions.
You just have to see what you are looking to get from archery, as you should get a target according to that.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an archery target last?
How to take care of your archery target?
The first thing is to always remove your arrows from the target after practice. This will help to prevent the arrows from damaging the target.
The second thing is to store the target in a cool, dry place. This will help to prevent the target from becoming damaged by the elements.
The third thing is to regularly inspect the target for any damage. This will help you to identify any problems with the target so that you can take care of them before they become worse.
What Archery Targets Last The Longest?
Can You Leave A Block Target Outside?
However, the answer to this question depends on the type of target you have. If you have a foam or paper target, you should bring it inside after each use. However, if you have a self-healing target, you can leave it outside as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight or excessive moisture.
What Types of Targets Are Used in Olympic Archery?
How High Should Your Archery Target Be?
Can I make a homemade archery target?
However, it is important to use the proper materials. For example, you should not use straw or hay for your target because they will not stop the arrow. Instead, you should use something like foam or paper.
It is also important to make sure that your target is the proper size. For example, if you are using a recurve bow, the target should be at least 4 feet high. However, if you are using a compound bow, the target can be as low as 3 feet high.
Making a homemade archery target is a great way to save money. However, it is important to use the proper materials and to make sure that the target is the proper size.
