Outdoor Hay Bale Targets

[Roadsnakes]

I shoot outdoors into hay bales.

My problem is during the winter the moisture in the bales freeze.

I don`t shoot when it`s in the single digits, but will if it`s in the 20`s and 30`s and sunny.

Depending how wet the bales are, sometimes it`s like shooting into a brick wall.

And, many times I cannot retrieve the arrows. No matter how hard I pull, some won`t come out. Most times I end up breaking them trying to get them out, or sometimes they come out without the point.

I tried spraying silicone on the arrows near the points, but it only seems to help for a couple of rounds.

Any ideas on how to keep them from sticking the bale, and how to get them out if they do?
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[bsv]

I've been using them for years.Build a roof and side panels around them, they stay dry and last a long time if you rotate them,,,

[Hermon]

Or cover them with a tarp until ready to shoot, then remove tarp.

[LJOHNS]

I use excelsior bales (wood fiber).  I built a wooden platform with sides and a roof for them.  Been using the same set since 2000.

[highlow]

Seems rather obvious that you would need to cover them somehow. Don't get wet, no problem.

[DanielB89]

Are those any special types of bales?  The ones I got here locally were not nearly as tightly baled as that!

[Sirius Black]

Yes, if any moisture gets in them, it will freeze. I've broken brand new arrows this way, mad to say the least. Cover the target somehow, or take a portable target out, like a bag target, in winter months.

[Sirius Black]

Just noticed you are from WI, sorry. Welcome to Tradgang!

[Red Beastmaster]

Blue tarp and bungees.

[kleine]

Cheap tarp!

[Mr. fingers]

I can't get hay bales,to,work,for me my,arrows blow,right through them. Tried a,heavy duty ratchet strap to. Or press them and it works for a little while but not very long.

[Car54]

Try the compressed straw bales, their smaller but, I have yet to get a arrow thru them. And that's shooting many many arrows at it.(60x31" draw)

[Roadsnakes]

I should have mentioned , I shoot at a Public Outdoor Range.

They`re not my personal hay bale targets.

So, covering them is not an option.

Yesterday is warmed up to almost 40degrees, but after seeing sub-zero windchilss earlier in the week after getting rain, the inside of the bales were still frozen.
I only lost one arrow after it cracked trying to retrieve it out of the target. Bad part, it was a brand new arrow.
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[Red Beastmaster]

If covering them is not an option then use regular old steel blunts. They won't hurt frozen bales and should not penetrate enough to get stuck.

[Ground Hunter]

Spray some Armor All on the front of the shaft and give it a wipe.  Arrows will pull easy.  Re-do as needed.

[Roadsnakes]

Originally posted by Ground Hunter:
Spray some Armor All on the front of the shaft and give it a wipe.  Arrows will pull easy.  Re-do as needed.

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I`ll try that.

The WD-40 and Silicone spray worked somewhat, but only for a couple of rounds.

I was going to try paste wax also.

It`s bad enough when I can`t retrieve the arrow, it`s even worse when I finally get it out but leave the point inside the bale.!
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[two4hooking]

I cover the front with a tarp and the rear has a stall mat.

 

[mark Willoughby]

yup put a tarp over it and you will be fine

[Roadsnakes]

Originally posted by two4hooking:
I cover the front with a tarp and the rear has a stall mat.

     

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I wish I had a backyard like that!

Unfortunately, I shoot at a public range, so any type of covering is out of the question.
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