In order to safely practice Archery, there are a few components that are need. Equipment which includes the bow, arrows, accessories and shoot gear, the archer, obviously, and the range which can be any SAFE location at any distance and a target that is suited bow and the type of shooting the archer intends to do.
We all need an outlet to blow off steam, specially now in the high stress world we live in. Covid hasn't helped much either. Archery, by many accounts, is one of the best sports/hobbies to take up to help stay strong both mentally and physically. The internal and almost zen nature of shooting a bow is awesome for us who need a pressure release. It's nature alone makes it ideal for the world of Covid too.
Luckily, buying great quality gear and relatively reasonable prices has become really easy lately. Island Archery has some awesome deals on quality equipment with free advice and coaching too! Not everyone though is lucky enough to have an archery club or range near by to practice in. Don't worry. Island Archery's got you covered. Read on and find out how to setup a range at home for less than 1000php.
Here are the things you will need:
A SAFE Space to shoot in. The first thing you will need to work out and find when setting up a home range is a safe spot to shoot from. 2 points of reference that you will need to note are the shooting line or the spot where you will stand and shoot from, and the actual spot where you will place your target. The first thing to consider is SAFETY. Look for a place where you can guarantee that 1. no one will pass between you and the target. No doors or blind hallways that lead to where you are shooting. 2. no one will pass unprotected behind the target. Ideally, a cement wall or a long run off space will be behind your target with no one passing by. 3. if you should miss, nothing or no one will be at risk of getting hit. This can be in your garage, or on the side of the cement wall, for those lucky enough with enough space, a yard or field, or it can be in your living room or condo. Don't worry too much about the distance between the shooting line and the target. Consider safety first. You can setup a range as close as 2 meters away from the target if that's all the space you have. Send a message, I'll teach you how to effectively train at close range.
Proper lighting. When setting up a home range, make sure that both the shooting line and the target are adequately lit. Enough that you can clearly see the target but at the same time, you sight(if using one) and the bow string.
THE TARGET. This is probably the reason why you are reading this article. Ready made targets can be expensive. Really expensive. They can also be heavy and hard to move around. Straw targets in particular. They can also be hard to maintain. The home made target I will show you how to make on the other hand will be light weight and very easy to maintain and repair.
Here are the materials needed to build your own target the EASY way.
Packaging Wrap.
You can buy these at your local hardware store or National Bookstore. They cost between 88 to 300php depending on the size and thickness. Do note that this is packaging wrap not FOOD wrap. They're non adhesive. This will play a vital role in weather proofing, compression and overall making the target last 3 times longer. Don't use adhesive tape because it will stick to the arrows when you use the target.
Cardboard Boxes
The next key ingredient in our recipe will be cardboard or corrugated boxes. Fondly known as balik-bayan boxes here in the Philippines. You know what I mean. The ideal size will be 60cm by 60cm. The bigger the better but for convenience, 60cm x 60cm is great. If you don't have then in the exact size, don't worry. Just cut them into strips and layer them side by side to make 60 x 60 squares. These boxes are free if you have them lying around somewhere. The can cost 40 to 50 php each if you buy them new. To make your life even easier, if you have one box that is 60cm by 60cm in size when standing, you can use that one as a frame to build the target in. It's need required but it will help.
Foam Matts (EVA Foam)
This component is the HEART of the whole build. It is the most important piece and possibly the most expensive part. In Ace Hardware, 60cm x 60cm matts cost 150 to 160 each. In SNR and Landers, a set of 6 will cost 1200 to 1999. Look for ones that are at least 1.5 or 2 cm thick. Toy stores will also have these but most of them will have the softer, thinner kind. If you go with the thinner kinds, you will need to use more of them. Wilcon and other bigger Hardware stores also sell similar looking matts but those are made of a harder rubber material. Avoid those because they cost more and they will be too harsh on your arrows.
The thickness of the target and how many pieces of foam and cardboard will depend on how powerful your bow is but as a general rule of thumb use 4 - 5 squares of cardboard for every 1 foam square layer. In terms of stopping power, every 1 foam layer plus 4 to 5 cardboard sheets is equal to 5 pounds of draw weight. This ratio is such that the points will not go through the target at all. So in my case, I use bows ranging from 20 to 65 pounds in draw weight so my target has about 10 to 13 foam matts it it.
HOW TO BUILD (Cardboard and foam Lasagna):
Step 1
Cut the foam matts into 60cm x 60cm squares(or whatever size you want). In most cases, just cutoff the puzzle links to make the sides straight. Save the cut pieces. You can use them in the future to repair the target and fill in gaps and holes.
Step 2
Cut the boxes into 60cm x 60cm squares. If your boxes are smaller in size, just cut them into strips and form them into 60x60 squares. Use as many box squares are you can but as a good ratio, use 4 to 5 for every 1 foam matt. The most ideal what to use cardboard for targets is to stack thin strips vertically and compressing the layers with weights but that method will take a lot more effort and time.
Step 3
Layer the cardboard and foam on top of each other like Lasagna. Alternate the layers however you want but make sure the top and bottom layers will be foam.
Like I mentioned earlier, if you have a 60cm x 60cm box, you can use it as a frame or "dish" to form your target "Lasagna" in.
Step 4
Wrap the whole thing in packaging wrap in ALL DIRECTIONS tightly. As many times as you can. In every direction. Front to back, side to side, horizontally, vertically and all around the sides.
Wrapping the target is very important. It compresses the materials together making the target stronger. Wrapping also helps keep the target from disintegrating. The more you shoot the target, the foam and box layers get pulverized. But when you compress the target in all directions with wrap, it won't fall apart. The small pieces will stay in place to stop your arrows. This type of target will only last a couple of months if you don't wrap it. Wrapped, it can last 6 months to a year without the need to repair.
Stop 5
Prop your newly built target up on a stand, table or shelf. Whatever works. If you followed the instructions and ratios, the target will be thick enough not to let the arrow pass through so you can rest it against a wall. I placed my target in a cabinet in our garage so it can easily hide away when not in use. Dark Souls fan will recognize the Mannequin Mask on the side.
When positioning your target, make sure it is secure such that it will not fall over when hit. Arrows are expensive so you do not want your target to topple over.
How high should you place the target? That will depend on the space you have. Specially the distance. Generally I recommend that the closer the target is, the closer the height of its center should be to your eye level. This way, even if you shoot 2 meters away, your arms and shoulders still get the exercise needed to be bow strong. If you have 10 to 18 meters of space, you can raise the target such that its center is neck or chest level. If you have more than 30 meters of space, having the center of the target 1.2 to 1.5 meters above the ground should be ok.
If you have to shoot close distance, for practice, simply adjust by using smaller targets. Also avoid shooting multiple arrows at the same spot to keep your arrows safe. That will also help with the target's longevity of use.
Step 6
You now have a range at home to practice in. Enjoy shooting. Keep safe. Be mindful of your surroundings at all times. Practice regularly. Keep on rocking.
If you need help getting started, finding the right gear or setting up your own range whether personal or commercial, Send a Message through the site, facebook , instagram or send an email
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