32 replies to this topic

[MTN4X4]

So I decided to go out and buy some hay bails and use them fortargets, well make a long story short I am now 3 arrows short.I just shot right thru them. what a joke,I guess the bails are not packed enough. I was thinking about putting water on them, any ideas ?

[ShooterJohn]

I always put plywood behind mine, just in case.

[ForesthillHunter]

Hey where you arrows were hitting the targets on the bails, did it impact where the two bails meet? I had that problem. My arrow went straight thru but if I hit the center of the bail it would stop my arrow about half way in. You may need to check where your arrows impact. Also what kind of hay did you buy. Some depending on the type of hay your buying, the bails grasses may not be packed tight enough. I shoot at just plain ol' straw bails. Its packed tight and I also most never shoot all the way thru. Be sure to have it set up with a back stop be hind it, whether it be a hill side dirt mount or ply wood just in case it help save arrows as well. Hope this helps!Jeremy

[BullsEye]

I know the archery range I go to buys special bails pressed for archers but they cost about $75 a piece.

[handgun]

my 2cents...I put up a couple of layers of cardboard in front of the straw / hay bale, it slows'em down pretty good. BTW, for $75.00 it better be Grade A grass...errr, I mean hay

[Bennie]

Back when I used to bow hunt I went and bought some target that was filled with something and covered in burlap. I still have it and it stops arrows fast and you can pull them out with two fingers. I am sure some one here will know where to get one. You just had to throw it on the ground and walk on it if an area started to got shot out to push the filling back in that area. Cheaper than bails in the long run and easier on arrows. Can't use broadheads on it though.

[yotekiller85]

I know the archery range I go to buys special bails pressed for archers but they cost about $75 a piece.

For that price you can go to a archery shop or anything that sells targets and get a foam target and you won't have that problem at all.

[jawbreaker]

The block is an awsome target, I've had mine for about 5 years and haven't blown through it yey(I don't shoot broadheads at it). If you don;'t have the money you can get a burlap sack and stuff it tight with palstic bags(from home depot or the grocery store) sew it shut and have at it. You just need to pack it with more bags every once in a while.

[CoyoteHuntress]

If the straw bales are loose get some alfalfa.. Or just pick some good tight heavy bales. 75 bucks would buy me a stack of alfalfa... Thats like 11 bales of alfalfa.. And IM SURE with 11 bales you could build a nice pile to prevent shooting thru

[jawbreaker]

you may not be able to shoot through a huge bail but what happens when the arrow is burried and you have to dig it out

[CoyoteHuntress]

Get a horse or goat??

[MTN4X4]

If I put plywood behind the hay bails would it damage the arrows,,,,,,, my arrows are hitting the center of the bails and going right thru I shoot carbons.

[GoldBarron]

We used to take some 4 lengths of all thread and some 4 x 4's and compress the bales. A friend of mine also hung a bunch of big industrial belts in the back to stop the arrows with out any damage to them. But that was back in Montana where you could get the belts from the logging mills

[Pogo]

Sounds to me like you got some light grass bales or something. Try some good tight straw bales. Trust me, the ones I bale you can't shoot an arrow through. If nothing else, buy some alfalfa bales. Probably more money but they should be even more dense. Most of it is going to depend on the wieght the grower baled them at.

[Fjold]

If the straw bales are loose get some alfalfa.. Or just pick some good tight heavy bales.

+1. on the bales of alfalfa City slickers

[Red Dog]

Take a come along and use it to tighten the bale. then rewrap it in some bailing wire to hold it.

[ShooterJohn]

That works good Red Dog. Especially about wrapping it with wire after you tighten it. I have a real short strap on one of my ratchet straps because I didn't remove it and inadvertently shot it.

[Red Dog]

LOL SJ. I can see it now. Let the arrow fly and SCHWACK!!!! Yeah it's a poor mans way to do it but it works just fine.

[MTN4X4]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I think im going to just pack them tighter using s ratcheting tie down, and then tie them up with wire.i let you guys know how it works.

[Pogo]

Take a come along and use it to tighten the bale. then rewrap it in some bailing wire to hold it.

What is this 'bailing wire' of which you speak...

[Red Dog]

Duck tape and bailing wire.... a mans best friend. They will fix anything.

[Gunner]

Maybe you should try the one ton bales!

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Duct Tape and Bailing wire = Ford parts... The Allthread that was mentioned above works well too On my practice bail thats what I used to use. Good luck.

[BC9696]

Forget hay, get a block. Hay will begin to look ugly after awhile, attract rodents and bugs, eventually break down and become smelly...just ask my wife. Since i got a block we are both happy. Easier on the fletching too!

[Elderberry]

Are the fake animals just as cheap as the bails of hay? Anyone have good idea of the cheapest place to buy those targets?El

[Moody]

Wal-Mart has some cheap 3-D targets for about $80 but they are really cheap. for around $100 to $150 you can get a decent target with replaceable vitals for around $40. so if you shoot alot in the long run you would save money by getting a nicer 3-D target.

[Shoot-it]

One ton is the best but I dont think most can roll one over with out help LOL I have used hay cus I have it and bale it done all that cr@p . I even shot into a stack of small bails and hit an area where 2 bails came together and lost my arrow.The best would be a block target

[Elderberry]

Thanks Moody! El

[rude robert]

im looking for rolls of scrap carpet actually so i can stand them up and strap them together they will work great