A missed arrow can lost, cause accidents, or ruin the surroundings. But an arrow stopper can be expensive. So, we are sharing these DIY archery backstop plans so that you can cheaply make that barrier according to your range of missed shots and budget. You will find many good material suggestions and styles for your target! So, let's get started and spend some time making one before starting archery practice!
What is An Archery Backstop?
Archery backstop should not be confused with the archery target, the term for the actual target of the archer's arrow. On the other hand, the archery backstop is a barrier to stop the arrows that miss the target. It is merely for the safety purpose and to prevent the lose of the arrows. Making an archery backstop helps to make it as spacious as badly you miss the arrow and it's location (haha!).
How Can You DIY An Archery Backstop?
Whenever you DIY an archery backstop, you must assemble two main parts:
Stopper Material: Have enough measurements to stop every shot despite its distance from the target. You can use a heavy stall target, a hale bale, a mattress, or an archery net.
Frame: It should be as wide and tall as the stopper material to support it well. You can make it using hardwood or metal poles. However, some DIY archery backstops, like the hale bale ones, don't need a frame. So, you can choose that if you have less metal or woodworking skills.
When the frame and backstop are ready, using the screws, start attaching the stopper to the frame. If you select only the backstop, place it behind the target.
The best practice is to use the screws with very small spaces left and to keep the material as tight as possible. However, some materials can absorb the impact, so they work better when they are not tight.
Another good thing is to make the backstop at the place where it should be placed (i.e., archery area) because it may become heavy to carry.
DIY Archery Backstop
If you want to sharpen your archery skills, this do-it-yourself backstop is a reliable solution. Constructed with handy tools and accessible materials, it offers a virtually fail-proof shield, a roof to protect against the elements, and a hanging bag at chest height for specific target training.
This DIY project involves setting two concrete-secured 4"x4" posts for a frame, onto which a 2"x4" roof is attached. You'll then sandwich a 4'x6' horse stall mat between lumber pieces and fasten the setup using lag screws. The archery target is suspended from hooks in the posts using a yellow plastic chain.
Materials:
- Stall Mat
- Wood Screws
- Self Tapping Metal screws
- Old Roofing Tin
- Field Point Bag Target
- Treated 4" x 4" Posts
- Treated 2"x 4" Boards
- Wood Lag Screws
- Concrete Mix
- Yellow plastic chain
- S- hooks
- Screw-In Hooks
Backyard Archery Range
Discover a personal, free DIY archery range that will stand the test of time. It features permanent distance markers, protective safety measures, and third-hand bag targets for convenient practice. You can enjoy quieter practice sessions with less arrow harm by improving noise-lowering methods using connected tiles and outdoor rugs.
To build this outdoor suburban archery range, mark off your backyard, setting up shooting lanes and a large, plywood backstop fastened to 10 ft long 4x4 posts secured with concrete. Install interlocking rubber floor tiles and outdoor carpet to tackle the noise and arrow damage. Use PVC pipes sunk in the lawn at specific distances from the backstop as distance markers and arrow holders. Targets are durable "Rag Bags," attached and detached as needed.
Materials:
- Two pressure-treated 4x4s at ten-foot length,
- Two sheets of ½″ plywood,
- 3″ deck screws,
- One bag of concrete
- One gallon of returned exterior paint from the “oops” section at my local hardware store’s paint department.
- Four hinged metal loops
- Four quick-release clips
DIY Archery Backstop For A Home Archery Range
If you are eager to prevent misfiring arrows from getting lost and want to keep your archery passion in check, consider this home-based archery backstop. The project has a simple, portable design with a thick stall mat as a reliable backstop, preventing arrows from embedding deep into the ground. It is versatile and allows for improvisations, such as adding a bow stand.
To make the DIY Archery Backstop, construct a rectangular frame using pressure-treated 2x4s (75 ⅛" lengths for top and bottom and 47 ¾" lengths for sides) and brace with scrap 2x4s for stability. Affix a heavy-duty 4’x6’ horse stall mat onto the frame with large screws and washers. Create the stand feet by attaching 2x4 or 4x4 posts, braced with more 2x4s at 45 degrees.
Materials:
- Pressure-treated 2x4s for the frame
- Pressure-treated 4x4s or 2x4s for the feet of the frame
- Stall Mat: 4x6'
- Screws
Cardboard Backstop
This backstop focuses on using foam archery targets for .22 pellet rifles. Highly functional with a Crosman Optimus and Benjamin Trail NP2, this backstop offers great stopping power around 20 yards. You can also create a small box with a clipboard clip on the front, lined at the back with duct seal for a more portable version.
Building an effective pellet stop involves creative ideas like foam archery targets, small duct seal-lined boxes, or cardboard-filled boxes. Some even use empty beer boxes filled with rubber mulch or realty signs as a makeshift solution. Construct a trap with a slanted steel back from plywood for a more durable setup. Alternatively, recycled corrugated cardboard from the workplace or modified shipping crates can serve the purpose of emphasizing recycling.
Materials:
- Foam Archery Targets
- Cardboard Boxes
- Clipboard Clip and Duct Seal
- Rubber Mulch
- Realty Signs
- Corrugated Cardboard
- Plywood and Steel
DIY Archery Target For Compound Bows
Transform your old carpet into a durable archery practice solution. This backstop is ideal for regular usage with compound bows ranging from 40-75 pounds and longbows. Arrows can be removed easily, and thanks to the carpet material, the backstop doesn't have the same tearing problems associated with traditional targets.
Cut the carpet into 3 feet by 18 inches sections and stack them roughly 1.5 times higher than your desired target height. Build two wood frames 6 inches longer and 16-18 inches deep, matching the carpet's dimensions. Drill holes for rods in the frames and stack the carpet between them. Use nuts on rods to compress the carpet to the desired stiffness. Use spray paints to make the marks for precise attacks and aiming practice!
Materials:
- Carpet
- Scrap Wood (2-by-4s or similar)
- Zinc Threaded Rods (3-foot)
- Nuts
- Washers
- Screws
- Gloves
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Wrenches
- Saw
- Utility Knife
Backyard Archery Range
This backyard archery range is a great addition to any home looking to ensure safe, efficient, long-term archery practice. The structure consists of ground contact rated 4x4 posts with a sturdy crossbeam, providing ample support for the main backstop and a 6ft x 4ft rubber horse stall mat. It's just perfect for beginner DIYers.
The archery range was built in a backyard with a sloped shooting lane. It comprises pressure-treated 4X4 posts cemented into 2' 6" deep holes. A 10' crossbar is held up by galvanized brackets on each post. The backstop, a 6ft x 4ft rubber horse stall mat, is hung from the crossbar using chains attached via holes drilled into wooden shims on the mat. A target stand completes the setup.
Materials:
- Plywood
- Hay bails
- 4x4 Posts
- Cement
- Galvanized 4x4 brackets
- Galvanized #10 1-½ in. External structural Connector Screws
- 2x10 piece of lumber
- Re-bar
- Rubber horse stall mat
- Wooden shims
- Lag bolts
- Large washer
- Chain
- Steel screw eyes
- S hooks
Make An Archery Backstop Step By Step
Setting up a backyard archery range can be rewarding, and now it can be more straightforward with this step-by-step guide to making a DIY Archery Backstop. The guide educates archers about selecting a suitable location and material for the backstop to ensure maximum efficiency, safety, and convenience.
Make this DIY archery backstop by choosing a suitable location and material, such as hay bales, plywood, archery netting, or rubber mats. Once you've chosen your material, build a frame from 2x4s, PVC, or metal pipes. The most common methods include stacking hay bales or foam blocks, creating a freestanding backstop with a wooden frame, or hanging an archery net on PVC or wooden posts. Once set up, this backstop stops stray arrows and ensures safety during practice.
Materials:
- Hay bales
- Plywood
- Archery netting
- Rubber mats
- Foam blocks
- 2x4s
- PVC pipe
- PVC connectors
- PVC glue
- Metal pipe
DIY Archery Back Stop
In this guide, the user employed heavy rubber mats for the backstop and created a plan that cost them about $150, excluding the bag, which cost an additional $30. The setup is strategically placed in their suburban backyard, surrounded by trees and houses 35 and 50 yards away. The upgraded version is durable, movable, and will last for years!
Backyard Archery Target Backstop
This Reddit post discusses a DIY backyard archery target backstop made using a rubber mat and various other materials. The author shares both sketch plans and build photos for their project. According to the author, the completed setup effectively creates a visually hidden yet efficient and safe practice space within a suburban setting. So, if you plan to build one for yourself, visit the link and gather plenty of useful information.