How to Make an Archery Target | Build One for Under $30

You can make an archery target by compressing cardboard, foam, rags, or straw inside a box, bag, or frame so arrows stop safely and the face is replaceable.

Homemade archery targets cost a fraction of store-bought ones, and a solid build stops arrows just as well. The trick is compression — loose filler lets arrows punch through and wears out fast. Match your build to your bow’s draw weight, pack the filler as tight as you can, and you’ll have a target that lasts a full season of practice.

The Simple Cardboard Box Target

The easiest build starts with a cardboard box. For proper arrow stopping power, one guide recommends a box around 20″ x 20″ and 8″–10″ deep. Another suggests a box at least 12 inches thick. Either works — deeper is better for stronger bows.

What to pack inside:

• Corrugated cardboard scraps (flattened and stacked)
• Plastic wrap or crumpled paper
• Old rags or clothes (packed tightly)

Fill the box completely, then compress the contents HARD before sealing. Draw or tape a target face on the front, set it against a stable backstop, and shoot. Cardboard handles light to medium draw weights well; heavier bows need something denser.

Foam Targets Worth Building

Foam stops arrows better than cardboard and lasts longer. Stack the mats, sandwich them between the boards, and tighten the rods to compress everything.

A foam-board version is lighter: 4 pieces of 14″ x 32″ foam and 2 pieces of 34″ x 34″, held together with 2″ x 2″ strips. One important caution from builders: choose your adhesive carefully — some glues eat into rubber and foam, crumbling your target from the inside.

Foam excels for field points and practice tips, but check compatibility before using broadheads. Most homemade builds focus on reusable practice, not hunting-point durability.

Bag and Hay Targets That Hold Up

Bag targets are the classic budget build. The denser the pack, the better the stopping power. Hang it from a frame or set it on a stand where it won’t tip when struck.

Hay bales work too, but only when compressed. Stack bales and use tie-down straps to squeeze them together — loose straw lets arrows sail through and tears out chunks with every hit. Pair either option with a backstop so misses stay in your shooting area.

Avoid the common failure: underpacking. Guides across every build type repeat the same warning — loose filler reduces stopping power and shortens the target’s lifespan. Gaps between filler let arrows pass through entirely.

Framed Builds for Serious Shooters

When you’re ready for a permanent target, a wood frame gives you the most control. Add chicken wire or a plywood face, then fill the cavity with compressed foam, ethafoam, or layered cardboard. Screw a fresh target face onto the front when the old one wears out — Archery360’s traditional-style home build uses a classic 10-ring cover over ethafoam.

Framed targets handle heavier draw weights and last years. The trade-off is time: you’ll spend an afternoon building, and you’ll want a drill and saw on hand. Whatever you build, inspect it regularly and retire it once it goes soft or shows penetration holes through the back.

If you’d rather buy than build, our tested roundup of the best archery bag targets covers the store-bought options that skip the work entirely.

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