Outdoor Backstops(anything new out there?)

[Mudd]

I'm not a fan of losing my arrows or... as Robtatto says  'returning them to the wild'.

I did a search on TG, after a lot of time was wasted searching for an arrow. I did a lot of reading and looking at pictures(the pictures worked best) so I would like to see more pictures of your homemade backstops.

We all know that natural earth banks work well, it's not an option in my yard.

I would appreciate any pictures of your backstops that you've made for your yard that work well and are cheap but effective, durable, and weather well.
Oh! and easy to construct since I'm more handsome than handy.
Thanks in advance!
God bless,Mudd

[Cool Arrow]

I'm not savvy nuff to put up a pichur, but you would not believe the number of old auto tars that adorn my yard. Sumtimes I like to try shutin at reely long yardage. Iseldum brake or lose arras.
  Larry

[degabe]

You might try some celotex fiberboard cut into one foot wide strips stacked up then clamped together with a 4x4 top and bottom pulled tight with all thread. It works for me. Sorry but I don't have any pics. Martin

[Hackbow]

Roy,

not a new idea, but if you can find any old conveyor belting you can hang it up and put a bag or something else in front of it. Arrows shot out of normal weight bows don't stick. In the absence of belting, you can hang 2-3 layers of old carpeting, but it gets wet, will eventually rot away and arrows will stick in it at odd angles.

[Kevin Winkler]

Mudd,

If I was at home I could take a picture! maybe later.
What has worked well for me is a 4'x4' backstop that 16" deep. The base is made out of plywood and I have mine on two old 4x4's, then make a 2x4 frame for the front and back that are fastened to the base.

Cover the two sides with plywood and then cover the front and back openings with pieces of old carpet or I use a mesh that I get from the cheese factories in our area. You can nail them on but I have used screws with washers so it is easier to replace when worn out.

Then get a bunch of free plastic shrink wrap from most any business that gets shipments of goods on pallets. Stuff the shrink wrap in the top and keep compressing down by stomping it down, when it's close to being full screw a piece of plywood across the top and your ready to shoot! The arrows pull super easy and you won't lose points and inserts like you will in some other type of backstops.

I've had the same target for 15 years and it's still going strong. Bugs and critters won't bother it and if you use treated lumber it will last for a long time. We have used this type of target for many years at our outdoor range for our archery club. I'll try to remember post some pics.

[amicus]

Mudd, we have the same problem.

Your post reminded me of this Mac davis song.LOL

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble when you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror 'cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me, I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord it's hard to be humble, but I'm doin' the best that I can.

 All in fun  

Are you looking for a target or something to put behind your target? Those matts that they us for horse trailers work very well with field points.  

Gilbert

[bosteldr]

I use old mud flaps I have found along the road.  I tack it up behind my straw and keep arrow from flying through the bail.  Similar to conveyor belt listed above only free.

Dave B

[Fishnhunt]

Mudd, I was using a plywood 4X8 sheet behind my bag target but it was too loud when it.  

Now I am using a 4x8 piece of sounds board (made by temple inland) in conjunction.  You can get it at home depot for about $9.

Its green and black so its somewhat camo.
I have no idea about long term use it may just fall apart but its very quiet and we'll see.

 http://www.templeinland.com/BuildingProducts/Fiberboard/QB/default.asp

Good luck

[barebow17]

Mudd, Mine are under the snow right now.But Iuse seed bags stuffed with plastic shopping bags and cut up rolls of sheet poly.Wal-mart sells it.

[Stiks-n-Strings]

Mudd,
 Like HackBow said on the belt. I'm gonna use coal mine belt (I'm an underground coal miner)
 I Don't know if you got underground mines in your area, but if you know any underground miners you can see if they will get you a piece.
 I'm gonna use 48" belt cut 5' long and put two post in the ground with a 2x4 across and screw the belt to the frame, Put me a pallet on the ground maybe a little roof over top so I can set a few staw bales behind my intial target and go from there.

 Do you go to cloverdale in june. If you do and can't get any belt I will be glad to bring you a piece. I can get all I want. Might just take a whole load of it with me.
 Kris

[lpcjon2]

Mudd I dont miss,But for the kids the neighbor fence followed by the house works for them...LOL  

[the elf]

Hey Mudd--I use a horse stall mat--but I mount it on a piece of 5/8 outdoor plywood attached to a fence--works really well for non broadheads--and from my 46 pound @26 longbow a 2 blade zwickey
penetrates the horse stall mat and the plywood by only about 1/2 inch--from about 20 yards-[these are the ooopps shots.]
The stall mats are about 4 ft.x 6 ft.

[Gaff]

my friend used to HANG an old carpet, or maybe it was a pc. of rubber, behind the target. if you missed the arrow would hit the carpet/rubber. and because it just hung there, the arrows would either barely penitrate, or hit and fall to the ground.

gaff

[brushcreek]

Mudd
Get a piece of carpet and hang it from a rope that is stretched between two trees or posts.
connect the carpet to the rope with electrical wire ties.place your target a few feet in front of the carpet.most arrows will fall to the ground,a few may stick but they come out eazy

BC

[Cool Arrow]

Mudd: Actually it was a combo of humor and truth. I was making fun of myself,(not you). Where I live, passersby cannot easily see the things that go on in my yard. Years ago I built a big arch, and draped it with conveyor belting. Over time it became sunrotted to the point that it no longer stops arrows well.I have numerous 3-d targets which I purchased at auctions. Behind them I have several piles of worn out auto tires. Not everybody could get away with this , but it serves as apretty good backstop. There are times when my friends and I get crazy and shoot at distances over 100 yards. Thats not to say that we do well , but we have fun. I must admit that the only place you're likely to see sumthing like this would be in the Ozarks. Larry

[Mudd]

Hey Cool Arrow can you post a picture. Your range sounds interesting. I used to be able to shoot out to 74 yds here at home but with my bamboo thicket that's been cut back quite a ways.

Is it flat where you live? I have no idea what your great state looks like. I assume some is mountainous but that's just a guess. A guess based on reading about elk hunting there.
Thanks!
God bless,Mudd
PS I'm trying to not get off target(no pun intended) just trying to visualize your range with  its backstops.
God bless,Mudd

[RUSTY1]

I'm with elf. Horse stall mat works great!! Thats what I use.

[DVSHUNTER]

I have heard of people, crazy people, using garage doors.

[DWT]

The rubber mats made to protect the bed of pickups are great, hang it between a couple 4"x4" posts and it will stop any arrow. New they are about 85.00 but you might be able to get one from a junk yard cheeper. The thing will last forever.

[reddogge]

I like others use old carpet suspended on wires in back of my Rinehart deer.  I ususally miss high so that's what it covers.  The range I have on the property has no backstops, just suspended targets.  Don't miss.