[Archers] Target making question

[John Atkins]

Cian,
You need to consider you may have archers with high powered crossbows so
your butts will need to stop their bolts.  Two inch foam board, two
pieces, with two layers (or more) of cardboard in between does the job.
As for foam board there are three choices, blue, pink or styrofoam.
Styrofoam does not leave a residue on the shafts but also breaks down
faster.  Good enough for one event, questionable for reuse depending
upon how many shafts hit it and if they are concentrated in one area,
i.e. kill zone.  The blue foam board does not seem to leave as much
residue or as fast as the pink.  You could provide a couple of towels
sprayed with silicone for folks to wipe their shafts with to help
prevent the build up.  I tape a one foot long piece of PVC pipe along
each edge of the "sandwich".  Then to mount the butt simply drive two
fiberglass rods, the kind Tractor Supply sells for fencing, into the
ground and slip the butt over the rods.  This works really well if you
have target faces you need to change out that are pre made.  Also with
this mounting method you could get away with a single two inch layer
backed with cardboard.  The rods allow the butt to flex when hit which
absorbs some of the energy from the shaft.

As for burlap bags, easy, go to your local steak house that gives out
peanuts to waiting customers and ask them to save you some bags.  They
just throw them out any way.  Stuff them with plastic bags, the kind you
get at grocery stores, Walmart and just about everywhere now days.  This
makes a great butt that will last a long time and stop those pesky
"short arrows" the crossbow folks shoot.

cog

-----Original Message-----
From: archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:archers-bounces at seahorse.atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Craig
Sent: Monday, September 06, 2010 12:04 AM
To: archers at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [Archers] Target making question


So I'm coming up on my first event where I am the archery marshal and 
have to design my shoot.  I've got some good ideas for shoots, but I 
need advice on making the targets.

What I'm thinking of doing is making a framework out of 2x4 that can be 
assembled on-site and disassembled afterwards, for transport and 
storage.  It's basically a framework similar to the door jamb of a 
doorway, except wider - about 5-6' in width.  I want to use it for not 
only hanging a flat target inside the opening, but also a spinning 
target (think burlap sack with 2 target faces).

Regarding my targets - I'm thinking of a couple of targets that are 
basically foamboard with paper targets attached on one side.  Foamboard,

insulation, that kind of thing.  What would be reccomended for that 
(thickness, etc)?  Should I have something behind it to help stop arrows

from going too far through it?

As for the hanging target, I'm thinking burlap sack (assuming I can find

one) or a box (of which I have plenty).  Reccomendations for what should

be used as filler in those to help slow arrows down and preventing 
blowthrough?

Thanks!

-Cian
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