Basement Backdrop

[Taxman]

I want to shoot at my 18" Block down in my basement this winter. I don't know if I can even make it to 15 yards, but if I do, what can I put behind the target to stop an errant arrow?

I was thinking of getting a used carpet and hanging it from the rafters about a foot from the wall. Would this work, or would the arrows just blow through?

Mike

[WOOKIE]

I just use the basement wall. The concrete stops "stray" arrows real fast! :shock: :lolouch:

[Taxman]

I just use the basement wall. The concrete stops "stray" arrows real fast! :shock: :lolouch:

That is exactly what I am trying to avoid!

Mike

[Ducker]

I have tried the carpet idea, and my wife's arrow blew right through it and stuck in the wood in our garage. I would have to say that your arrows would probably do the same. the only thing I can think of that would work for stopping arrows before the concrete would some sort of wood structure. Just my 2 cents.

[jhooey]

One of the easiest solutions to stopping arrows is a box filled with old rags. A few years ago we shot a BC Provincial tournament where the butts were boxes filled with rags. They worked really well. This will probably work if you put the box behind your block.

We use a cardboard and shrink wrap butt at the shop. They are easy to build and will stop even the fastest arrows. Build a box leaving the front side and top open. Use metal wall studs on either side of the front so that they face each other. Cut cardboard strips to fit the width of the opening and stack them in the studs. Stuff the rest of the box with shrink wrap (This is a great way to recycle.) The box should be about 3 feet deep. The cardboard keeps the arrows straight and the shrink wrap stops them.

[Grunter]

Mike, go to some of the local grocers, etc. and ask for their trashed cardboard boxes - use them to build a reasonable sized wall of flattened boxes to at least a few inches thick to sit behind your target... or maybe even try practicing with blunts?

[Duggernaut]

There is a mesh "curtain" that you can buy specifically for this purpose. One source I think is "alternative sporting services" in the UK. altservices.co.uk

[Grunter]

sounds like a great idea... but the s&h from UK would be cost-prohibitive!

[Kirby]

Douger, even those don't stop fast arrows, my bow will punch right through those meshes. for a back stop, get burlap bags, and fill them with plastic, they will stop any arrow out there. Cheap, and easy to make. If you don't want that, carboard boxes will work if you have enough.

Kirby

[New2Bowhunt]

How do you use the shrink wrap inside the boxes, do you stack them, or how exactly are they positioned?

[Valley Lad]

The couch in my basement stops stray arrows really well! :cuss: Good thing my wife hasn't found the hole yet...

You'll need several layers of carpet to stop an arrow. I put about 5 layers together to shoot into my garage once and it worked OK - just don't hit the same spot twice or the arrow will penetrate to the fletchings.

[jhooey]

Scrunch the plastic up and pack it tightly into the box or bag. This only works with field points. Broadheads will get stuck.