If you are planning to practice shooting, it is not advisable to shoot at trees. Shooting at hard surfaces will damage the tip of the arrow. Though arrows will pierce through fine on the trunk, tips when pulled will become crooked. You have to choose a target that has materials suitable for archery. Soft materials are better because they won’t cause unnecessary damage to the arrows. You can buy archery targets at stores or online, but these tend to be expensive products. If you cannot afford those yet but still wishes to own one, you can make your archery target. Here are some of the things you should look at in making the right archery target for yourself: Size The size is another important aspect to consider when making your archery target. A bigger target will be easier to see, and the target mark will be visible. Professional archers or beginners will not struggle as much when aiming the arrows. Bigger targets will also serve as a great guide on where to shoot the arrow. It can also help measure accuracy because you can see your progress in very concrete terms. Target Stand An archery target often needs a stand to hold and secure it in place. A stand will enable you to shoot at a target without the tendency for it to topple over. You also have to consider the weight because you will have to carry it, especially if it’s outdoors. You need a good stand for your archery target, so you can focus on target shooting. Endurance You should also consider the lifespan of your archery target. You want a target board that will last longer, so you won’t often need to buy a new one or replace it every time it breaks down. These are the aspects you need to look at to make a good archery target. Now all you need to do is to prepare all the materials you will need. Below are procedures you can follow in making your homemade archery target. Cardboard Box Target You will need a cardboard box with a measurement of 22″ by 13″ by 16.5″ or any suitable box you prefer. This will serve as the target frame for your archery target. One of the best choices for stuffing is foam, but you can also use old clothes and rags. Arrange the materials you will put inside into layers for the cardboard. The layers you will make should fit the same length as the box. Make at least 17 or more layers to make them more compact. Once done, tape all the layers together and apply two layers of tape to hold the layers intact. Place the layers you made inside the cardboard box and seal it up completely using tape. You can either attach a target face or paint on it for the scoring rings. Making an archery target made of cardboard has an advantage because it is cheap. The material is available, and the construction is simple and quick. The disadvantages are its durability and the quality of the material. It can only last for about two weeks with consistent usage. The arrows can also get stuck in cardboard and receive damage when pulled. Hay Bale Target You will need bales of hay, string, and plastic or some sort of covering for this target. Stack one bale on top of another and tie it down using the string to make it compact. You can then wrap the target in cloth or plastic. By covering the hay bale with plastic or cloth, you can ensure that it will not dismantle when you shoot at it. A plastic covering will also reduce the chances of animals or other insects eating it. It will help protect it from water during rain. The downside of using hay as your material is that it isn’t very sturdy. It tends to loosen after repeated shooting practices. Arrows usually pass through the gaps when shot. Puzzle Mat Target This is another popular homemade archery target. The materials you need are puzzle mats, tape, wood for the frame, and nails. First, stack your puzzle mat pieces. Make sure that they are all lined up so that the surface of the target is smooth. When you’re done with that, tape the layer to put it together. To secure the target in place, you need to make a frame for it. For the frame You can use a lumber frame that is hollow and doesn’t have a back or front side. Use a piece of wood with measurements of 38 mm x 286 mm or 2 x 12 inches thick. This will help stop the arrows because of the depth. Cut a large hole in the board, acting as the top of the frame. After assembly, you can now stuff the target you made earlier through this hole. Next is to fasten the frame with wood screws at least 3½” (9 cm) long. Once done, cover the front and back openings of the frame with chicken wire. The wire will be the one to hold the stuffing inside. Archery targets are a necessary part of improving archery skills. They can be good substitute targets for knife throwing. Whether you’re a professional, a novice, or someone interested in archery or knife throwing, you will need a target for practice. This will help determine and improve the accuracy of your shots. Use the above information to guide you about archery targets and to know which one suits you best.