Sand Targets

[TxAg]

Anyone using sand as a target/backstop? I live in the city so it needs to be better maintained than just a pile on the ground. I was thinking about building a wooden box. Anyone have pictures or tips? This wold be a cheap and easy broadhead option

[ChuckC]

Sand works.  Dirt might be a bit less abrasive.

Tip, whatever you use, screen it so you don't end up with rocks.  I think your idea of a box ( with three sides) is a good one.   Use the two front support posts to suspend a wire, upon which you can clip a target.  I myself would shoot from a slightly elevated position so it digs into the pile if you have little room.

ChuckC

[M60gunner]

Years ago we made backstops like you describe. We used chicken wire and a layer of straw then back filled behind straw with sand and dirt. Worked well for field points and most broadheads. The chicken fence wire will bend if points hit it. Only issue was the insert type blades like on the old Satilite broadheads. The wire would bend the blades.
We used 2x12's for the sides and 3/4 in ply for the back. Worked until the compounds would shoot through the whole thing.

[Stumpkiller]

We used to use a sand pit broadhead stop from an elevated deck at a club I once belonged to.  Worked great.

I thought an added advantage was that the heads get smooth after repeated shots and, after resharpening and oil wipe, they looked good and possibly penetrated flesh better.

[TxAg]

Appreciate it. Might be starting a weekend project tomorrow after my honey-do's

[Kevin Winkler]

It was very popular 20-30 years ago here in WI to have broadhead shoots. Many clubs had full 28 target unmarked yardage courses that we shot into dirt and sand bunkers.

Yes, they do dull your heads up. But most of us just used the same 3 or 4 heads just for practice. We found that a 50/50 mixture of sand and dirt worked the best. Sifting is a must, as you will wreck a bunch of heads if you don't. A 3 sided bunker with a couple wires stretched across the front from posts seems to work the best.

I don't have any pictures of them anymore. But our club still has a broadhead league every Fall that we shoot broadheads at deer, bear, turkey and elk cardboard targets.

[Cavscout9753]

I've heard of the sand and dirt piles often. If you're willing to do the work for a sand pile thats boxed in, I would suggest another look at simply building a good back stop (maybe a couple stall matts suspended and 6" behind that a soft wood wall), and then just buying a large target like a "blob" target. It can be dressed up well, easy to maintain, safe (I always imagine a ricochet where the sand pile acts like a take off ramp for an arrow, unlikely as that is), and probably not too awful much more money than a boxed in sand pile, though probably a bit more cost to the one I described.
If you do go the sand route I agree sifting is a must, and the dirt/sand mix is genius. For the sake of cleanliness though just have a good erosion plan or you could end up with a mud slick after every hard rain.

[katman]

Google it. couple of good sand box types on utube. That's what I did when I built mine, works great.

 
 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=089390#000013

[ChuckC]

Good job Katman.   Instead of rectangular, if you can widen the front of the "box" it might act as a funnel better plus give you a bit more room for hanging a target.   Also, having a cover on top might keep the rain problem down.  Doesn't have to be a permanent cover, just a top, heck, mount it on a couple ol door hinges so it lifts up while you shoot and acts as a backstop,
ChuckC

[huronhunter]

Here in Michigan , the Michigan Bow Hunters Assoc puts on an event called the Fred Bear Memorial broad head shoot .
The targets are cardboard soluetts of bear ,turkey and deer were we shoot into clean sand Pits . The traditional stakes are inside of 25 yards as a max distance . This event takes place on September 19th &20th . Hosted by the Lapeer county Sportsmans club ,camping primitive camping a load .
Just a note of info the targets soluetts came from Wisconsin bow hunters assoc some 50 years ago ?

[hart2hart]

Go cheap!
3 free pallets from many sources.Cut them down a little...about  1/3.
Screw 3 together in a U shape.Anchor the front with 2 Tpost.Drive short stakes towards back.
Line with an old tarp..also free from lumberyards.
Fill with clean dirt.
If you want to go fancysmantcy,nail a 2X4 across top to help secure. Last a long time.
Sack

[hart2hart]

OOps,Forgot to mention,we are trying plastic fencing,,the temporary kind you see everywhere..doubled and tripled across front to slow gradual sliding of dirt out of the U front.
Course you can always shovel/rake it back in.
Only cost is dirt and screws really.. if you aren't shy about asking around.
Mike

[Jon Stewart]

I have a 20 target course on my hunting property and have sand bunkers behind the targets but that was easy for me as I have a backhoe.  Living in the city you may want to try what my dad used in the 60's in his archery shop.  He put up a 2 by 6 and hung carpet on each side of the 2 by 6 leave an air gap between the carpet.  This set up stopped al arrows shot out of a recurve.

couple of 4 by 4s for posts ,2 by 6 across the top and used carpet hanging from each side of the 2 by 6 may do the trick.