How to turn your backyard into an archery range
Practicing bowhunting can easily become an expensive and inconvenient endeavor. Between range fees, time spent driving to and from the range, and the impact of other bowhunters in the vicinity, there are plenty of reasons to decline an invitation to practice shooting. But what if you were able to practice in the privacy of your own backyard? Here are some tips to creating your own archery range so you can practice at your own pace for free and be ready for monstrous kills once the season arrives.
Safety first
As with most hunting pursuits, safety needs to be the top priority. First off, it needs to be legal to shoot a bow in the location you live. The easiest way to figure this out is to simply call the local police department and ask about any ordinances restricting archery in the area. If they say you’re good to go, you can proceed with crafting your range.
Backstop
It’s necessary to set up a backstop to take care of any errant shots during practice, and there are a couple of easy ways to do so. If you have access to haybales, they make for a great backstop. If not, horse stall mats also provide a great alternative. In this case, you can build a frame out of 2x4s or hang the mats from cables to get the job done. When shooting in a rural location, you may not need to make any kind of backstop, but using the terrain to your advantage will make finding stray arrows easier.
It goes without saying that you should always be conscious of what’s downrange. Shoot at a downward angle whenever possible so your arrows stick out of the ground when stopped.
Field point target
Below is an outstanding video from Antler Geeks outlining how to make a field point target out of lumber, carpet, and threaded rod. It should be noted that this is NOT a target for broadheads, but purely for field points. Check out the video to see how it’s done.
Apart from this method, you can also stack haybales and attach a paper target of the animal for a more realistic practice session.
Broadhead target
The are several options to DIY your own broadhead target, and determining which is best for you will depend on your budget and your durability needs based on how many shots you plan on sending into the target. For heavy use, a commercial option may be best. The American Whitetail Hybrid King All-Purpose Target works great for at-home shooting and won’t break the bank. This target should only be used for broadheads, since field points are particularly difficult to pull out of it.
Yardage markers
You can fairly easily measure 20, 25, and 30 yard increments in your yard and mark them with a stake or flag, but you’ll most likely need to move the markers when it’s time to mow the grass. For a more permanent solution, sink a brick with the yardage marked onto it into the ground. This will prevent you from ever having to move the markers and will also prevent the mower from hitting them as long as they’re sunk deep enough into the ground.
Bow stand
Another great piece of DIY content from our friends at Antler Geeks, this video shows how to build a bow stand that will hold your bow, arrows, and even a cold beverage while you’re honing your skills in your own backyard. Take a look at the video for an in-depth walkthrough.
Start shooting Wasp
There’s one thing that’s always true about those “big one that got away” stories: the hunter wasn’t shooting Wasp. There’s a reason our broadheads have been trusted by hunters and feared by animals for over 45 years. We give you unsurpassed accuracy, strength, and penetration so you can experience the best blood trails of your life. Stop blaming your broadhead and start shooting Wasp. Shop our products today.
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