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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Magwa45 on March 10, 2024, 06:05:13 PM

Title: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on March 10, 2024, 06:05:13 PM
I am thinking of a backstop for archery in the back yard. Maybe putting a couple 4x4s in the ground to hold by a half inch piece of plywood about 4'x6'. On top of the plywood putting rubber pads. I just want to stop any arrows from flying out of the yard. I would appreciate any feedback if anyone has done something like that. Thanks.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Maclean on March 10, 2024, 06:40:12 PM
Do what you're describing, but replace the sheet of plywood with a 5x7 horse stall mat. Hang it from the top on it's long axis, a couple of inches off the ground. Easier on your arrows and just as effective if not more. You can find them at any farm centric supply store. Plenty of YouTube videos on it.   :campfire:
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Pine on March 10, 2024, 06:56:58 PM
2x ^^^^^
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on March 10, 2024, 07:54:31 PM
Do what you're describing, but replace the sheet of plywood with a 5x7 horse stall mat. Hang it from the top on it's long axis, a couple of inches off the ground. Easier on your arrows and just as effective if not more. You can find them at any farm centric supply store. Plenty of YouTube videos on it.   :campfire:
Thanks! I have heard about horse stall mats. That sounds like a great idea.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Wudstix on March 10, 2024, 10:52:34 PM
I'm figuring out a design myself.  Using heavy rubber mats as a backstop.  Then a block target and 3-D hog and/of javelina target in front.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: awry on March 11, 2024, 12:38:42 AM
Horse stall mat attached to a lacrosse goal frame. Works great!
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Swamp Stick on March 11, 2024, 04:26:44 AM
I placed two 4x4 posts as the main frame for mine. The back of the posts has a sheet of thick plywood attached. On the front of the posts, I ran a 2x4 from one top to another. The 2x4 gave me a mounting location for the rubber stall mats. So once finished I have free hanging stall mats (if they free hang and don't touch the ground they soak up more arrow energy) and about 4-6" behind the mats is the sheet of plywood. Add some extra wood and you can get a roof to protect your target from the elements.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Swamp Stick on March 11, 2024, 04:31:27 AM
Here's a picture of mine
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Even on March 11, 2024, 07:59:00 AM
Mine is a few piled rectangular bales of barley straw covered with a cheap tarp (to keep the straw out of the weather),  fronted with three dense foam archery targets.   It has worked well for ten years now. 

I might have to try the horse mat thing, for some farther targets, once I find a 70# ASL to my liking.  Getting the urge to set up my long targets again. 
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 11, 2024, 09:09:22 AM
Here’s our “Outdoor PlayStation” as I call it.
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Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 11, 2024, 09:13:12 AM
And a few of my favorites I forgot to load
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Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Trenton G. on March 11, 2024, 10:46:48 AM
I use a similar setup as others have mentioned, except I use 2-3 squares of old carpeting. It stops arrows well, and is much easier to pull arrows from than a stall mat. If you're able to leave a few inches between each carpet layer, even better as it will absorb the arrows energy as each layer moves a bit on impact
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on March 11, 2024, 11:47:40 AM
I just got mine fixed up and moved yesterday. It’s positioned so I can test fire some arrows while tillering. I’ve had the backstop for about half a year and the arrows just bounce off the horse stall mats. They are very heavy when you get two of them together. It was a pain to get the mats up there but I got it up.

Kyle
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Gun on March 11, 2024, 01:09:07 PM
How about a dumpster dive behind a carpet store
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on March 11, 2024, 01:55:46 PM
Thanks everyone for some great ideas. Putting two together so that you don't have to worry about an arrow going over the target looks good. I have lost more than a few arrows that just disappeared in the grass after flying over the target. Also putting on a roof to protect the 3D target is also very smart.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on March 11, 2024, 10:22:56 PM
I bought 2 4'x6' horse mats at the local feed store today. These things are heavy and hard to handle. Just wondering how to get these up on a target stand? Maybe build the frame for the target and then get the mats up there somehow. It looks like a challenge.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Blackstick on March 12, 2024, 05:12:13 AM
Being old and living alone, I had to use a tractor with a front end loader to set mine up.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Mo_coon-catcher on March 12, 2024, 09:28:09 AM
I ended up tying the end of a long rope to a hole in the boards for the mats. Then did a few wraps over the pole and through the board hole to give some leverage. Then with one hand I would pull the rope and the other hand I would lift the board. If I did it again I would make sure the frame is tall enough I could fit a proper pulley system between the frame and mats. So essentially make the frame about 7’ tall  and 8-8.5’ inches wide. The mats weigh 95# each and being floppy make it difficult to move.

Kyle
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Kelly on March 12, 2024, 02:53:35 PM
Keefers, approximate size of yours and how far off ground to platform? Thanks
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 18, 2024, 05:04:17 PM
Kelly ,
  I’ll have to go out and take some measurements but I think the platform was like 30” off the ground and I know it’s 6’ wide cause that is the size of the horse Matt in the back .
  I have a plan I made on Graph paper of how I wanted it to look and then just added doors to keep the element out.
  The metal was free for the roof but I bought some for the sides to close it in.
  Built it during the Covid shut down .
  Here’s
Some pictures as I built it .
  The 5 1/4 lumber came out of my neighbors dumpster when they had their deck built and was scraps that were cut off so I dumpster dived .
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 18, 2024, 05:15:31 PM
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Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 18, 2024, 05:40:44 PM
Kelly ,
  I just went out and did some quick measuring for you .
  The platform from ground to top of the 5/4 boards is 32”
   The width from 4x4 to 4x4 is 6’ even
  The height about 7’5” front 4x4 and back 4x4 around 7’2” so water would slope to rear when it rains .
 The pole in front has a eye bolt so I can hang a rhinehart round ball,tennis ball or carpet roll to shoot at while it swings and it’s far enough out so arrows won’t hit the bag targets inside when it spins around.
  I close the doors when not in use to keep sun off the targets.
 My kids and I love it and money well spent .
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Kelly on March 19, 2024, 04:06:39 PM
Thanks Keith! just needed rough figures so I can adjust from there for my specific needs of not as high off of ground because I do ll of my practicing from a chair since that is how I hunt. Also, since I'm very limited on space need it somewhat portable. The pictures of how you built it are perfect.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Keefer on March 20, 2024, 06:01:55 AM
Kelly,
  About 2 months ago I went by Lowe’s in Seaford Delaware and they had those Horse stall Matt’s on sale for $29.97 and they were the 4’x6’x3/4” thick ones.
 Well I didn’t buy that day but called a friend about them and he went to a Lowe’s in Easton Md. and got 4 for $17.97 .Well I went back to the Seaford told them the cost at the other Lowe’s and got 4 for $17.00 .
   Then another friend went to the Easton Lowe’s and bought 12 and uses his for a backstop and to lay on ground for his garden and green house.
  Now the one I bought when o built my backstop was $49.99 at the time and now I think they are like $60.00 so shop around and check Lowe’s or Home Depot if you have one in your area .
  They are heavy to handle by yourself .
   I’m thinking of building one lower to ground that I can move as well cause I too like hunting from the ground .
  There is no need to build a cabinet like I did but I wanted to just leave my targets in a cabinet and keep out of weather .
  Those Matt’s are awesome for stoping arrows and if you live in a neighborhood it’s a good thing to have behind your target.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Deno on March 25, 2024, 01:34:32 AM
Added a new PVC slanted roof over my targets this week. 
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Wudstix on March 25, 2024, 12:49:06 PM
Dennis;
Nice set up, wish I had that room.
 :campfire: :coffee: :archer2: :campfire:
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on April 11, 2024, 06:34:37 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/jfjeT33.jpg)

I finally got my backstop finished. I made a frame out of 2x4s and attached the horse mat with lag bolts. Then I put another two frames on top of 4x4 skids and attached the framed matt to it.
Title: Re: Building a backstop in the back yard
Post by: Magwa45 on April 11, 2024, 06:41:43 PM
I have been shooting at my 3D target and the backstop is just what's needed. No more lost arrows for sure, unless I let one loose over the top of the backstop.