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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: vermonster13 on July 12, 2007, 09:17:00 AM

Title: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 12, 2007, 09:17:00 AM
Seems we've been having a few threads lately on what to stuff targets with and such. So here is a solution I found. Tractor Supply Company(and probably any place that sells trailers) gets these compressed styrofoam blocks that are put between the trailers to prevent rubs. Some are black, mine gets white.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Target1.jpg)

Some places have to send them back to the shipper others have to dispose of them. If you are lucky enough to live near one that has to pay to dispose of them, you've just found a supply of free targets. Mine had a whole pallet of them and said take them all if you can and come back whenever you want more. I could fit 8 in my Explorer so that is what I took.

I stacked 3 of them and put them in a couple of contractors bags with a folded up Dell computer box(they are very light and the extra weight helps keep them firmly on the ground). I then wrapped the "target" with packing tape to keep everything together tight and placed 4 stickers on the front for aiming points.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Target2.jpg)

I wondered if the material would really be durable and hold up well to arrows. It works better than my foam target.

(http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f311/vermonster13/Target3.jpg)

So if you're frugal like me, here is a way to get targets and not spend big bucks.(Rather spend the money on bows myself    ;) )
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on July 12, 2007, 09:24:00 AM
Great idea bro! Looks like your shooting isn't too shabby either....have you used broadheads on this new target design yet? i'm curious how they would pull....Kirk
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 12, 2007, 09:26:00 AM
Just made the target last night so I haven't tried BHs. My foam target has a side made for them so I'll stick with that until it dies most likely.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Numitokayo on July 12, 2007, 09:32:00 AM
Awesome idea David, ya did great there  :)   Have a great day!!

Daniel
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Otto on July 12, 2007, 09:51:00 AM
Ah, the sign of a confident shooter...sticks his target in front of a rock wall!!!
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: George D. Stout on July 12, 2007, 09:56:00 AM
I'll have to check with the local T.S.   Great idea.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Slasher on July 12, 2007, 02:47:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Otto:
Ah, the sign of a confident shooter...sticks his target in front of a rock wall!!!
Or a master crafter of arrows!!!   :pray:  gee, my target would have to be 5'x5' if i knew that was behind it!!!  I'd be focussing on not hitting the wall than concentrating on a lil spot!!!
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: 4runr on July 12, 2007, 03:46:00 PM
Nice David!!


I'vemetthatwallandhavetheshortylumitoproveit  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Stone Knife on July 12, 2007, 05:10:00 PM
The guy at our local tractor supply told me i can have all i want. I soot at them but they get styrofoam all over the place, but there free.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 12, 2007, 05:20:00 PM
I thought they might which is why I wrapped them. Quieter neighborhood that way.    ;)  Well at least my house.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: W.Tim on July 12, 2007, 08:47:00 PM
sounds like a good idea, and the price is RIGHT  :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Woodduck on July 12, 2007, 09:27:00 PM
Maybe if you put it in burlap it would stay and be good for field tips.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 12, 2007, 09:43:00 PM
It works great for field tips. The cardboard on the face made it even all the way across and the arrows pull real easy so long as the point diameter matches the arrows.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: hill boy on July 12, 2007, 10:28:00 PM
ummm! I,m thinking maby some shrink wrapp on them baby's.Great idea ya got me brain stormin.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Numitokayo on July 12, 2007, 10:30:00 PM
It was nice chatting with you today Verm13, keep shooting straight and I got's to find myself some of that backing material here  :)

Daniel
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: huntnut on July 12, 2007, 10:46:00 PM
The maneger at my TS said no, they send them back to the trailer manufactor. But yet there cage was full of them HMMMMMM.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: captaincaveman on July 13, 2007, 12:07:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by vermonster13:
Just made the target last night so I haven't tried BHs. My foam target has a side made for them so I'll stick with that until it dies most likely.
been using them for a while. they work for broadheads too!!! Won't last as long as with field tips but who cares? they're free

Josh
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Shakes.602 on July 13, 2007, 07:41:00 AM
That is a Fine Idea! My GirlFriends Step-Dad Runs the "Rural King" in the area, I may just hit him up for some of that Cool Stuff!! Lord knows what ELSE they PITCH that I Might be able to Use!! hahaha   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Gene Roberts on July 13, 2007, 02:14:00 PM
sweet,i need to go to tractor supply sometime  :)
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Gene Roberts on July 13, 2007, 02:15:00 PM
i need to go to tractor supply sometime.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: gwhunter on July 13, 2007, 02:42:00 PM
Maybe we could double up on some ideas here.  Maybe double wrap them in a cheap tarp.  That should hold it in.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: Doug S on July 13, 2007, 02:54:00 PM
I have been a free styro block customer at tractors supply for years but haven't been able to keep the white stuff in. I'll be watching for some good idea.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 13, 2007, 03:06:00 PM
The lawn and yard bags that stretch good seem to be doing fine with the heavy weight bag underneath. No white stuff coming out of mine yet and the holes in the bag close up pretty good.
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: ibohuntwhitetails on July 13, 2007, 03:35:00 PM
I have been using a similar idea for many years. Around here you can get 3' x 3' x 18" blocks of really compressed foam that they place under fishing and boating docks to float them. Usually you can find stray ones floating in coves or along the shore while fishing or on the lakeside when people are upgrading thier docks. If I have a bad year finding one and really need a new one I can buy them for like $10 usualy from any dock builder by the lake.

They hold up really well to FP and BH. I never thought of wrapping them to keep some of the mess down. With all the flooding we have had lately I have found about 15 good chunks so far I should be set for another 30 years or so. lol

Tom
Title: Re: The Poor Man's Target
Post by: vermonster13 on July 14, 2007, 04:16:00 PM
This target has taken about 500 arrows so far and is doing real well.