Fun Archery Targets

Archery targets can be traditional to whimsical. With a the same basic structure, any design can be adapted to your target. The target can be as simple as a design on a paper to a full blown model recreation. Determining your skill level in archery can be a good way to determine the type of target will be the most fun and build your skill.

  1. Targets

    • An archery target is comprised of a leather cover on a sturdy backing. The idea is for the backing to stop the arrow from passing all the way through. A common backing is packed straw or wool. The tighter the material is packed, the thinner the target will be; most are 6 to 8 inches thick. These targets are the placed on an easel-like structure that can be placed at any distance or location. Placing a cover on a bale of straw works nicely for a less expensive but slightly harder to move target. The cover can be made from any material but will last longer if it is heavier, such as leather or canvas. The cover can be any, size making it easier or more challenging to hit.

    Designs

    • The traditional target is a bull's-eye, a series of circles. However there is no reason you can't make any manner of targets. You could model your targets after people, similar to the firing range. These can be made at your local copy store by simply copying an image of a various bad guys wielding weapons onto different sizes of paper or canvas.

      Perhaps you plan to use your archery skills to hunt animals. Making models of these animals can be a great way to sharpen your skills. Using leather and a packing such as straw, you can make a life-size deer or buffalo. Painting this model to match a real animal can add to its authenticity. This target can then be placed in the woods to mimic the real-life situation, making it much harder to hit--a real test of skill. This can be done with any manner of animals big or small.

      Any design you like also will work. Geometric designs, cartoon characters or vegetables, such as pumpkina, can make great targets. The only real limit is the expense and your creativity.