How to Build a Target Backstop

Before you take your bow out hunting for the first time, you should learn how to use it properly. The best way to do so it with target practice. Whether you are out in the country or in the suburbs it is a good idea to have a target backstop. The backstop not only catches your arrows and keeps them from getting lost, it also provides additional safety for anything in the surrounding area.

Things You'll Need

  • 9 4-feet by 2-feet by 2-feet square hay bales with nylon ties
  • 6 6-foot bars of #4 rebar
  • Sledgehammer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Lay two hay bales horizontally end to end directly behind your target. This will create an 8-foot length of hay 2-feet high as the front of the base layer for your backstop.

    • 2

      Lay a third hay bale directly behind your first two bales. Center the third bale so that half of it overlaps with each of the first bales. This bale will add support to the center of your backstop and complete the backstop base.

    • 3

      Drive two bars of rebar into each bale. Hammer the rebar through the top of the hay bale and 1 foot into the ground. This will leave a 3-foot length of each piece of rebar protruding from the top of the bales.

    • 4

      Stack two more bales on top of each base bale by sliding them onto the protruding rebar. The individual strands of hay are wrapped vertically in the bale and will slide onto the rebar easily. Use a hammer if needed.

    • 5

      Test your backstop by pushing on the front and sides to make sure it is securely fastened to the ground. Your end product should have two columns of hay three bales high with another column directly behind the center of the first two. Your rebar should penetrate 1 foot into the ground, slide completely through the first two bales of each column and penetrate 1 foot into the top bale.