Hey guys I have a question for yall. I am trying to set up a new shooting area at my house and I am looking for ideas about what to use as a backstop. I have tried hay and my arrows usually go right thru it.

So I was looking for easy and cheap backstop recommendations that yall have tried.

Thanks!

I'm using a section of fence I replaced recently. I've been looking into getting a horse stall mat from tractor supply for forty bucks

I'm also using old fence, behind alfalfa bales. I need new bales, but they have lasted a couple years.

horse stall mats are forever and great but HEAVY

My target is 4" wide by 7' tall at the present. My backstop is my garage. There is no reason that i should need a back stop, but depending on who is shooting in my back yard, that garage wall catches a few every year. Now I have been thinking, my neighbors garage is bigger than mine, maybe I should move my target.

Unless you’re shooting broadheads, hay bales in front of a stall mat sounds good to me, because you can blank-bale without shooting down at an angle.

Or you can shoot rubber blunts at a canvas drop-cloth.

I shoot into a big round bale. If you shoot into the side you definitely won't shoot through it, and likely not from the cut end either. My neighbor is a dairy farmer so I can get one pretty reasonable from him and it lasts about three years just sitting out in the weather.

Used staked used carpet in AZ. In the process of building a new one in OKC. John

Compressed straw bales from Tractor Supply make a cheap and very durable target. Stack several together for a large target.

I agree with andy man the stall Matt’s really works. But they are heavy don’t know how long they’ll last Guess that depends on how often you miss.

I used to use a large corn folder bail. They weigh about 600lbs but if you band it tighter it will stop any arrow without anything backing it. Mine were under a small roof so the didn't get wet. 1 last me and my family 6 or 7 years.

Btw those are large square bales.

I use horse Matt’s and used carpet. Both work great.

Andy Man x 3

I built a wood frame for a horse stall mat. I used screws with fender washers to attach. Built it to stand alone. You can add wheels if needed. Works great, and weathers well.

You can go cheap or you can put out a little more and have something that will outlast you.

I went with a permanent structure with a shingled roof. I may have $100 in the whole thing, I bought the bag target second hand. It has been there for 16 years, run through 4 bag target covers and has stopped tens of thousands of arrows.

ditto compressed straw/tractor supply. I stack 4 of those undersized bales, which isn't cheap, cover them with garbage bags to protect from rain/snow. Can't shoot through them with 60# up close but do sometimes shoot between the cracks when the plywood behind it destroys it. Pick your shots :-)

Horse stall mat works great. I just crank it up when needed.

look up life time target build and stuff with plastic walm@t/shopping bags

the top 1 is the basement target this is the garage 5ftx3ft

Round hay bales are great if you can get them. Backin the 90s we used to buy them for our cattle. It takes two men and a boy to roll them. Best if you get them off the ground and best if you cover them, otherwise rain will soak into them and freeze, then they are not arrow friendly. If you live in an area where deer yard for the winter you will probably find that they will feed on them. Sandy

I have 3-4 bags stacked and I hand an old truck rubber mat behind it all

I use conveyor belt and horse stall mat

Stall mat here too. Have't hit a chicken in the pen behind it yet.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I think I am gonna build a lean-to with rubber mats screwed to the back as a back stop.

Tractor Supply 4'X 6' stall mat, eat your Wheaties before you grab hold of it.

Are yall using the 3/4" thick mat or the 1/2" thick?

I used to use regular round bales, but after shooting a while I got tired of having to fish for arrows in the center of the bale.

A couple years ago I put two 4x4's in the ground, a 2x4 across the top, and attached horse mats. I've since been very happy.

About what do the 4'x6'x3/4" stall mats weigh?I'll be driving right by one of their stores tomorrow.Think I might grab one and check out those compredded bales to.How do they compare to bag target's like Morrell as far as stopping arrows?

I am not planning to use the mat as a target, just using it as a backstop so arrows are caught in the area.

I use rubber mats similar to the stall mats but that are cut out from old conveyor belts. Someone in our club has a contact at lumber mill. When they change out the belts we get as much as we want for free. Try to ask somewhere that uses them, you'll probably also get what you need for free. They are reinforced with some kind of weaved fabric and can be cut to any size you want.

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