A backyard target turns an afternoon into range time without the drive, the lane fee, or the neighbor’s wind. Choosing the best archery targets for backyard practice comes down to three things: how much stopping power your bow actually produces, how the arrows come back out, and whether the face survives broadheads. We put twelve of the most popular options through those filters, from a four-sided foam block that weighs 8 ounces to an 18-face cube built for 500 FPS crossbow shots.
Most of us shoot a compound bow at moderate draw weight, a few arrows in the quiver have mechanical broadheads still in them, and the shooting lane is maybe 30 yards of open yard behind a fence. That combination rules out a lot of targets. A straw face is gentle on arrows but the wrong surface for a broadhead. A bag target takes crossbow bolts but will not survive a fixed blade. The right pick is the one that matches your arrow speed and your patience for maintenance.
We judged these on stopping power against the published FPS rating, how arrows behaved coming out, how the face held up over repeated shooting, and whether one person could move the target across a yard without help. If you enjoy the drill side of practice, our guide to drum practice pads covers the same habits of short, repeatable sessions. The gear logic is the same. Sharpened skills beat long, unfocused ones.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Archery Targets for Backyard Practice (October 2026)
Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Block
- 4 shooting sides
- Stops arrows to 300 FPS
- Friction-not-force arrow removal
- 8 oz with carry handle
Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube
- Handles up to 450 FPS
- Four printed faces
- Replaceable cover
- 19 inch cube
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger
- 38 layers of foam
- 2 sides with 10 bullseyes
- Weather-resistant
- 18.3 lb with tote handle
The Black Hole four-sided block takes the top spot because it does the two things backyard shooters care about most: it stops broadheads without shredding them, and the arrows slide back out. Those open-face sides, rated to 300 FPS, are the reason it works for both practice tips and hunting heads on the same target.
The Morrell Double Duty 450 cube is the strongest choice for crossbow shooters who want a printed face instead of a blank surface. Four face designs, a replaceable cover, and a 450 FPS ceiling give it more practice variety than any other bag target here.
The Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger is the one most families end up owning first. Two sides with 10 bullseyes, a weather-resistant shell, and a tote handle that makes it easy to move from the garage to the lawn.
Best Archery Targets for Backyard Practice in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Block |
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| Morrell Double Duty 450 Cube |
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| Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger |
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 Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 |
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 Hurricane 2-Sided Bag Target |
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 Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Cube |
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 Block Classic Layered Foam Block |
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 Rinehart 18-1 Target |
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 Field Logic GenZ 16 Inch Youth Target |
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 KAINOKAI Hand-Made Straw Target |
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 AUVIM Straw Archery Target |
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 Shooter 3D Turkey Target |
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How We Evaluated These Backyard Targets
Every target in this roundup was judged against the same five criteria so the rankings mean something beyond looks.
Stopping power. We used the published FPS rating as the reference point and compared it to realistic backyard speeds. A 300 FPS rating has margin for a 40-pound recurve and a modest compound. A 450 FPS rating is where crossbows start to matter.
Arrow removal. This is the single most-cited quality factor among owners, and forum discussion on r/Archery and archerytalk keeps circling it. Targets that stop arrows with friction rather than crushing force give back a target that is still pleasant to shoot the next day.
Arrow-type fit. Field points, field tips, fixed blades, and mechanicals behave very differently. A target that suits one and ruins another is a poor backyard workhorse if your quiver is mixed.
Durability per shooting face. Total surface area matters more than total material. Two-sided bag targets concentrate wear, while 6 and 18 face blocks spread it.
Handling. A target one person cannot rotate or reposition becomes a target that stops being used. Several of the heaviest units here scored well on stopping power and poorly on handling.
1. Black Hole 4-Sided Foam Block for Four-Sided Practice
Black Hole 4-Sided Archery Target, 18″ x 16″ x 11″, 300 FPS, Uses Friction Not Force to Stop All Field Points and Broadheads, Open-Face Layered Design, Lightweight and Carry Strap for Portability
18 x 16 x 11 inch open-face block
300 FPS stopping power
4 shooting sides
8 oz with carry handle
Pros
- Friction-not-force stopping for smooth arrow removal
- Handles field points and broadheads
- Four sides spread impact wear
- 8 ounce weight with carry handle
Cons
- Wrapped sides are field point only
- Open-face sides wear faster with heavy broadhead use
This is the target I recommend first to anyone setting up a backyard lane. At 8 ounces it is the easiest unit here to carry out from the garage, reposition when the sun moves, or hand to a kid who wants to shoot a few arrows alone. The size, 18 inches wide by 16 inches tall by 11 inches deep, is a real shooting face for a 30 or 40 yard backyard lane without demanding a lot of ground.
What makes it work is the patented open-layer design. Arrows enter between unglued foam layers rather than being crushed into a solid wall, so the shaft survives and slides back out. Owners across thousands of reviews describe the same thing: the arrow comes out with the fletching intact and without a tugging fight.
The four-sided layout is the practical genius of it. The two wrapped sides carry printed aiming points and suit field points and field tips, while the two open-face layered sides are the ones built for broadheads and expandables. Shooting one arrow type on each side is the cheapest way to double the life of a target, and the contrasting aiming points on all four faces make group placement easy to read at distance.
Rating sits at 4.5 stars across more than 5,500 reviews, which is the largest review base in this roundup. The consistent note among buyers is that the open-face sides are the ones to rotate away from once they start chewing up, because broadheads will always work faster into an open face than into a wrapped one.
What to check before buying the Black Hole four-sided block
Confirm the size matches your bow. The 18-inch-wide and 22-inch-wide versions stop standard diameter arrows up to 300 FPS, which suits compound and recurve shooters at typical yard distances. Crossbow shooters should step up to the 16-inch deep crossbow version rated to 375 FPS rather than pushing a 300 FPS block with high-power crossbow bolts.
Decide in advance which sides are broadhead sides. Once both open faces start showing arrow-sized holes, the target is still usable, but assigning one side to broadheads and the other to field points roughly doubles the time before the printed layout becomes unreadable.
Where this target fits in a backyard
It is the best choice for a shared family lane where a younger archer, an adult, and someone tuning broadheads all use the same equipment. The carry handle means one person can move it from a side yard to an open field without a second set of hands.
It also works well as a hang-and-forget unit on a portable stand, since the light weight means wind rarely topples it. If you want a single target that covers the most arrow types without any special rules, this is the one.
2. Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube for Crossbow Speeds
Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube Field Point Archery Bag Target, Yellow
19 x 19 x 19 inch cube
Handles up to 450 FPS
Four printed face designs
Replaceable cover
Pros
- Stops crossbow bolts past 400 FPS
- Four printed faces for varied practice
- Cube shape spreads wear across six sides
- Arrows pull out cleanly once cooled
Cons
- Field point arrows only
- Heavier than most bag targets to move solo
The highest average rating in this group is 4.7 stars across just over 3,000 reviews, and the reason is that this cube simply stops things. Rated for 450 FPS, it takes crossbow bolts and high-power compound shots without pass-through, which is exactly the ceiling most backyard crossbow shooters hit when they start digging into a bag target.
Four printed faces keep practice from getting stale: traditional bullseyes, a nine-ball pattern, a dartboard layout, and a deer pattern. Switching faces between sessions is a cheap form of skill work, and because the unit is a cube, you rotate it to spread impact across multiple sides rather than burning through a single face.
Two details matter for long-term ownership. The cover is replaceable, which extends the life of the core, and the arrows and bolts pull out easily once the target has cooled. That cooling point is worth remembering in practice, since warm foam grips more than cool foam.
The main limitation is arrow type. This is a field point target by design, and it will not hold up to broadheads. If your tuning work involves mechanical or fixed blades, you need a different target in the yard alongside this one.
Is the 450 FPS rating enough for a backyard crossbow?
For nearly every crossbow a recreational shooter owns, yes. The rating sits well above what a typical backyard crossbow produces at 20 to 30 yards, which means the target has real margin. The rating matters most if you push a long-range setup hard at close distance, where speed climbs quickly.
Also weigh the move. At roughly 37 pounds filled, this is not a target one person relocates casually. Plan a fixed position near a backstop, or budget for a two-person move when the season changes.
What a printed face gives you over a blank block
Printed bullseyes give immediate group feedback without needing scoring tape or a paper face. On a bag target with multiple designs, you can run a precision drill on the small bullseye and then switch to a deer pattern for a looser, more representative grouping test.
It also keeps practice interesting. Forum regulars on r/Archery note that boredom kills backyard consistency more than gear does, and having four faces to rotate through is a simple fix.
3. Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger for Everyday Family Practice
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger, Field Point Outdoor Backyard Archery Target
20 x 12 x 20 inch bag target
38 layers of stopping power
2 sides with 10 bullseyes
18.3 lb with tote handle
Pros
- Ten bullseyes across two shooting sides
- Weather-resistant surface for year-round use
- Tote handle simplifies backyard transport
- Easy arrow removal for all ages
Cons
- Only two sides so wear concentrates
- Field point construction rather than broadheads
This is the bag target that ends up in the most backyards, and the reasoning is simple. It has 38 layers of foam behind two shooting sides, ten bullseyes between them, and an 18.3 pound weight that one adult can move using the E-Z tote handle. That combination is the sweet spot for family practice where two or three people of different ages take turns.
The X-Tended Life design and IFS technology in the core do more work than the layer count alone suggests. In practice, owners report that a properly rotated target still reads well after long stretches of weekly shooting, and that the printed faces stay readable because wear is shared between two sides.
Two things shape expectations. The first is arrow removal, which this target handles well thanks to its foam bag construction, so arrows come out without a tool. The second is that it is built around field points, which is fine for practice arrows but rules out broadhead tuning on this face.
At a 4.7 average across more than 2,400 reviews with a strong five-star share, this is a well-regarded unit rather than a bare-bones starter. It is the pick for a household where the main goal is volume practice and an easy target to reset after a busy week.
Who should buy this bag target and who should not
Buy it if you shoot field points or field tips, want a target the whole household can use, and need something that survives being left on the lawn through changing weather. The weather-resistant surface is built for year-round outdoor placement rather than seasonal use.
Skip it if you tune broadheads on the same target, or if you want the longest possible life per purchase. Two sides wear faster than four, and the foam bag design cannot match the longevity of a multi-faced foam block when daily shooting volume is high.
How to stretch the life of a two-sided bag
Work both sides on purpose instead of dumping every arrow into one. Alternating shots between the two faces roughly halves the wear on each and delays the point where the print becomes too torn to read.
Store it off the ground on a stand or pallet so moisture does not wick into the bottom seam, and pull the cover tight after each session so debris does not work into the fill. Buyers who store the unit indoors between seasons report noticeably longer cover life.
4. Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 for Tight Backyard Lanes
Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 Dual-Sided Archery Target, 23 x 12
23 x 12 inch dual-sided face
54 layers of stopping power
Weatherproof construction
28 lb with E-Z tote handle
Pros
- Narrow 23 inch profile fits tight shooting lanes
- 54 layers built for thousands of shots
- Weatherproof for year-round outdoor practice
- E-Z tote handle for transport
Cons
- Only two shooting sides concentrate wear
- 28 pounds is heavy for a solo reposition
Most bag targets are square and wide. This one is deliberately not. A 23-inch-tall by 12-inch-wide face on a narrow profile means you can set it up along a fence line or between two obstacles where a cube or a wide bag would not fit, which is the defining problem in a lot of suburban backyards.
Under the cover is 54 layers of foam using Morrell’s MLDD construction, which is the deepest layering of any bag target in this roundup. Owners who shoot at this target regularly describe it as the one that outlasted their previous bags, and the dual-sided face with 10 bullseyes keeps sessions varied.
The build is weatherproof rather than merely weather-resistant, which matters if you plan to leave it standing between sessions instead of dragging it into a garage. It also comes in multi-packs, which is a practical way to stage a small backyard range with a dedicated target per bow type or per shooter.
At 28 pounds, this is one of the heavier bags in its class, and that is the trade for the extra layers. Plan a stationary setup. The E-Z tote handle helps, but it is a two-person move on rough ground.
When a narrow bag target beats a cube
Choose a narrow profile when your backstop is a fence, a hedge line, or a wall rather than an open field. The 12-inch width leaves room to shoot from an angled stance without arrows catching the edge of the target, and it stops a badly aimed shot from sliding off the side.
Choose a cube instead when you want to rotate between many designs. The narrow face gives you variety through scoring layouts, not through multiple target sides.
How many layers do you actually need
Layer counts are a proxy for how long a target holds up under repeated field point shooting. More layers help most when the same small group of arrows is being fired many times a week. For occasional weekend practice, a lower-layer bag will be fine for far longer than most people expect.
The other consideration is the arrow type. Deep foam layering improves field point longevity but does not change broadhead behavior, and broadheads remain the main reason foam faces lose their shape.
5. Hurricane 2-Sided Bag Target for Budget Crossbow Practice
Hurricane H20 2-Sided High-Velocity Archery Bag Target, Rated 425 FPS, Compact 20”W x 20”H x 10”D, High-Visibility Aiming Points, Off-Center Deer Vitals on Back, Heavy-Duty Handle for Easy Transport
20 x 20 x 10 inch bag target
425 FPS with Tri-Core foam
Off-center deer face on back
Strap handle for transport
Pros
- Handles compound bow and crossbow shots
- High-visibility aiming points readable at distance
- No internal wood core to damage arrows
- Stands upright when braced
Cons
- Heavy to carry across a property
- Tips over on high hits without a backstop
The Hurricane two-sided bag is the entry point for backyard crossbow shooters, and its Tri-Core foam is rated to 425 FPS with standard diameter arrows. In owner testing it absorbs 400-plus FPS crossbow arrows without pass-through, which is enough headroom for most people who have not yet moved up to a high-power crossbow setup.
Two design choices stand out. The high-visibility contrasting aiming points are easy to acquire at longer distances than a low-contrast printed face, and the off-center deer scoring pattern on the back means back-face practice does not eat into the front aiming points you use for group work.
There is also no internal wood core. That is a real advantage for arrow longevity, since shooters who have used wood-core designs often find arrows damaged on impact. The 20-inch round format is available in several sizes, so you can match the diameter to your shooting distance.
The complaints are consistent and predictable. It is heavy once filled, it can tip if you hit near the top, and the single-piece cloth cover may eventually wear at the seams. Brace it against a backstop or a stack of something solid and the tipping issue disappears.
What to watch when a light bow meets a fast target
There is a quirk worth knowing. A very light bow can send arrows that bounce back out rather than stick, which is confusing for a beginner and frustrating for an instructor. If the archer is new, set the target up close and let them build confidence before moving back.
For older kids and adults on compound bows or crossbows, the bounce-back risk drops away and the target behaves as expected. Judge fit by draw weight and arrow speed, not by the shooter’s age alone.
How to set up a bag target so it stays put
Always brace the bottom edge against a backstop, a pallet, or a stack of straw. A round bag target with a high hit generates enough torque to tip it, and a toppled target on a lawn is a fast way to damage fletching or an arrow nock.
Use the strap handle to move it in short distances rather than long ones. Position matters more than weight for a bag target, and choosing the lane once saves repeated carrying.
6. Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Cube for Multi-Sided Practice
Block 6×6 Poly Fusion Archery Target 6-Sided, 18x18x16, Polyfusion Technology, Black
18 x 18 x 16 inch six-sided cube
Poly Fusion layered foam
400 FPS stopping power
15 lb with carry handle
Pros
- Six shooting faces for long target life
- Handles field points and broadheads
- 15 pound weight resists tipping
- Built-in carry handle
Cons
- Broadheads wear the face faster than field points
- Firmer foam than open-layer designs
This is the first target in the Block line built for genuine six-sided use, and that single fact changes how long it lasts. At 18 by 18 by 16 inches with six shooting faces, it offers more practice surface than anything else in this roundup except the 18-face Rinehart cube, and the 400 FPS rating covers a wide range of compound and recurve speeds.
Poly Fusion attaches each layer firmly to the inside walls of the block. That construction detail is what makes it durable and what makes removal predictable, since the arrows are held by friction against a rigid sidewall rather than being trapped in a loose fill.
Owners who switched here after burning through cheaper bag or foam targets tend to describe it as a long-term upgrade. At 4.6 stars across more than 1,100 reviews, the feedback centers on the six faces, the broadhead compatibility, and a weight of 15 pounds that resists tipping without becoming unportable.
The one piece of advice that repeats is to reserve one face for broadheads. The target will take them happily, but they will chew a face faster than field points will, and keeping them separate protects the other five faces for precision work.
Six faces versus two faces for long-term value
More faces mean the total impact area is larger, so the group you care about has more room before it becomes a shredded mess. If you shoot a tight group repeatedly at 30 yards, six faces is a meaningful upgrade over a dual-sided bag.
More faces also mean more aiming options. A block with no printed designs on some sides can still be used for instinctive or chalk-mark practice, which is a bonus most shooters never plan for but end up using.
How to protect the faces you care about
Assign faces the way you assign arrow types. One face for broadhead tuning, one for precision field point groups at distance, and rotate the rest for volume practice. It takes a marker on the sidewall and saves you from losing your main bullseye to a stray broadhead.
Expect slightly firmer arrow removal than an open-layer design. The foam is denser by design, so the first few pulls after a session can feel tighter until the block cools.
7. Block Classic Layered Foam Block for Smooth Arrow Removal
BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Archery Target, 18” x 18” x 13.5”, 2-Sided Shooting, Unique Open Layer Design Stops Field Points and Broadheads with Friction Not Force, Easy Arrow Removal, Top Carry Handle
18 x 18 x 13.5 inch two-sided block
Open-layer friction stopping
Crossbow and broadhead capable
Top carry handle
Pros
- Friction stopping gives very smooth arrow retrieval
- Handles crossbow bolts and broadheads
- Lightweight yet resists tipping
- Blank back face supports instinctive practice
Cons
- Printed bullseye wears fast with broadheads
- Edge hits can cut the wrap holding the layers
The Block Classic is a veteran of the category and the design that many modern layered targets borrow from. Arrows enter between unglued layers of friction foam, the penetration heat plus friction grabs the shaft, and within seconds the block dissipates that heat and releases the arrow. The result is the smoothest retrieval in this roundup, and owners who shoot thousands of arrows call it out consistently.
Two-sided shooting with a high-contrast black-and-white layout gives a very readable face at any distance. The 18-inch version suits a 30-yard backyard lane, and a 22-inch version is available for longer shots or wider groups.
Durability is where broadheads matter. Shooters report roughly 3,000 shots per side with field tips before visible wear, which is a useful number to plan around. The complaint that comes up most often is the printed bullseye wearing out under broadhead use, which is a targeting habit problem more than a product defect.
It is also the only block here with a genuinely blank back face, and that has turned out to be useful for instinctive shooting and for marking your own aiming references in chalk or paint without destroying a printed scoring layout.
Why open-layer foam makes arrows easier to pull
Glued foam blocks trap an arrow by crushing the shaft into a compressed mass. Open-layer designs give the shaft a path between layers, so the only thing holding it is heat and friction, both of which dissipate quickly. That difference is why arrows from an open-layer block come out straight and undamaged rather than bent or compressed.
It also reduces fatigue. If you shoot 60 arrows an evening, easy removal is the difference between a session that ends with you wanting to go back out and one that ends with you putting the bow away.
Where to aim so the block keeps working
Avoid the outer edge. Edge hits can cut the wrap that holds the layers together, and a cut wrap is how an open-layer design starts to delaminate. Keep your group inside the printed face, and treat the blank sides as precision-only surfaces.
If you shoot broadheads, pick a second target or a separate face for them. Keeping blades away from your precision face is the single highest-return habit for extending a foam block’s useful life.
8. Rinehart 18-1 Target for Broadheads and Crossbows
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
15 inch cube with 18 faces
Self-healing foam core
Broadhead capable to 500 FPS
11 lb with carry handle
Pros
- Eighteen faces give enormous shooting surface
- Self-healing foam shrugs off broadheads
- Handles up to 500 FPS for crossbows
- Lightweight at 11 pounds
Cons
- Aiming zones are simpler than printed bullseyes
- Needs a flat level surface to rotate
Eighteen faces on a 15-inch cube is the largest shooting surface of anything in this roundup, and the self-healing foam is the reason it lasts. Self-healing foam closes over small punctures instead of retaining them, so a mechanical broadhead that would gouge a straw face or shred a bag simply pushes the material aside and the surface recovers.
The rating is 500 FPS with crossbow approval, which puts it at the top of the speed range here and leaves real headroom over a typical backyard crossbow. At 11 pounds with an easy-carry handle, it is also the easiest heavy-duty option to move between the backyard, a club, and a hunting camp.
What you give up is face design. The target uses highly visible scoring zones rather than detailed printed bullseyes, so it is better for group practice and broadhead work than for precision ring scoring. Shooters who need fine aiming references will want tape or a target face on one side.
Forum mentions of this design run consistently positive on longevity, with users pointing to eighteen faces and self-healing foam as the reason it survives seasons of heavy broadhead shooting that would retire a bag target in a fraction of the time.
Is a self-healing foam core worth it for broadheads
If you shoot broadheads more than a few times a month, yes. The difference shows up in the surface: non-self-healing foam keeps every puncture, so a heavy broadhead session leaves a visible cluster of holes that ruins your aiming reference. Self-healing foam closes most of those punctures.
If you only practice with field points, the extra capability goes unused and a layered block will serve you fine. Match the target to the arrows you actually shoot.
How to get the most from 18 faces
Number the faces mentally as you rotate and keep a note of which ones hold precision groups. As the visible zones wear, move your working group to a fresher face rather than shooting into a torn area and misreading your form.
Set it on a flat, level base. An 18-face cube only delivers its advantage if you can rotate it easily, and an uneven surface means uneven faces and inconsistent impact wear.
9. Field Logic GenZ 16 Inch Target for Youth and Beginner Bows
Block GenZ 16″ Youth Open Archery Target, 40Lb Draw, Easy Removal, Multi-Color
16 x 17 x 7.5 inch youth block
Built for bows up to 40 lb draw
Friction stopping open-layer foam
5.6 lb with easy handling
Pros
- Young archers pull their own arrows out
- Open-layer foam outlasts glued blocks
- Handles field tips fixed blades and mechanicals
- 5.6 pounds so kids can reposition it
Cons
- Light enough to tip on a high hit
- Not intended for adult draw weights
The GenZ 16 is designed around a specific situation: a young archer with a bow up to 40 pounds of draw weight who needs to be able to pull their own arrows out without asking for help. That independence is the feature. Reviews describe kids carrying the target, repositioning it, and clearing the face on their own, and that changes how much practice actually gets done.
It uses the same open-layer friction system as higher-end blocks. Arrows slide between unglued foam layers, heat and friction grab the shaft, and as the target cools the arrow releases. Owners report that this open-layer design outlasts standard glued foam blocks in their own testing.
It accepts field tips, fixed blades, and mechanicals, so a family that moves from youth bow to hunting setup is not forced to buy again immediately. At 4.6 stars across more than 4,200 reviews, it is one of the highest-volume products here and the most consistently well described.
The limitation is weight. At 5.6 pounds it is light enough for a child to handle and light enough to tip over on a high hit, so it needs a backstop or something behind it. It is also not intended for adult draw weights, and over-shooting it can push arrows out the far side.
What to look for in a youth archery target
Start with arrow removal, because a child who cannot pull arrows out will stop practicing. Hand removal beats needing a puller, and the friction systems in this class deliver that consistently.
Next check the weight. Something a young archer can carry and set up independently keeps them shooting. Very heavy adult targets are wonderful for a family but frustrating for a 10-year-old working alone.
When to move up to a bigger target
Move up when the archer’s draw weight passes what the target is built for, or when the face starts showing pass-through. Over-shooting a youth target teaches nothing and can damage arrows, so treat early pass-through as a clear upgrade signal.
The XL 20-inch version in the same line is the natural step up for a bigger frame, and it keeps the same removal characteristics that made the 16-inch model popular.
10. KAINOKAI Hand-Made Straw Target for Recurve and Longbow
KAINOKAI Traditional Hand-Made Straw Archery Target,Arrow Target for Recurve Bow Longbow or Compound Bow(20in / 3 Layers)
Hand-woven straw target face
Layer options by bow weight
Lanyard included for hanging
Under 10 pounds
Pros
- Gentle on arrow shafts and easy on arrows
- Layer options matched to bow weight
- Lanyard allows rope or tree hanging
- Classic look suits traditional practice
Cons
- Handmade sizing varies from the listing
- Sheds loose straw debris during shooting
Straw is the traditional answer and it behaves very differently from foam. Arrows bury into woven forage rather than being stopped by friction against synthetic layers, and archers with older wooden arrows or hand-tipped shafts tend to appreciate that gentleness. The target is also very light and hangs easily, so it can double as a display piece when the season ends.
The layer count is the specification that matters here. The maker’s guidance at 18 meters is 3 layers for bows under 30 pounds, 5 layers for 30 to 40 pounds, and 7 layers for 40 pounds and up. Choose by bow weight rather than by face size, and pair it with target paper if you want scoring rings for a formal practice session.
Sizes range from a 20 by 20 by 2.3 inch three-layer face up to a 22 by 22 by 5.5 inch seven-layer model, and the silk-printed surface can be shot directly or covered with paper. The included lanyard makes rope or tree hanging straightforward, which is a good fit for a shaded side yard.
Two cautions. It is not a broadhead target, and a blade will tear the face quickly. And because it is handmade from woven forage, some debris sheds during use, which is normal rather than a defect.
When straw beats foam in a backyard
Straw wins for traditional bows, wooden arrows, and anyone who wants a target that looks right in a side yard or a shop. The material is forgiving, quiet, and it does not chew up shafts the way dense synthetic foam can over time.
Foam wins for anything involving broadheads, high arrow speeds, or a target that has to be moved by one person. Foam blocks also give far more shooting surface per unit of space.
How to pick the right layer count
Match the layers to your bow weight at your shooting distance. Too few layers and arrows pass through or bury so deep they risk the shaft. Too many and the target is heavier than it needs to be for a given bow.
If you shoot at longer distances than 18 meters, step up one layer from the maker’s guidance. Speed and distance both add energy that the face has to absorb.
11. AUVIM Straw Archery Target for First-Time Practice
AUVIM Archery Targets Straw Solid Hand-Made Archery Target for Recurve Bow Compound Bow or Longbow 20 Inches Traditional Bow Arrow Target for Kids Youth Adult Archery Hunting Backyard Practice
19.7 inch hand-woven straw face
1, 3, or 5 layer options
Weighs 0.74 kg
Suitable for kids and beginners
Pros
- Gentle on arrow shafts and reusable
- Layer options fit most beginner bows
- Doubles as a display piece when not shooting
Cons
- Single layer suits only low draw weights
- Handmade dimensions vary from the listing
This is the target to look at first if the whole idea of a backyard range is new. It is a 19.7-inch hand-woven straw face, light enough for anyone in the household to carry, and it does not damage arrows. For a family that is not sure how often they will shoot, it is a low-commitment way to find out.
Layer choice drives everything. The maker’s guidance at 10 yards is a single layer for bows under 15 pounds, three layers for 20 to 30 yards with bows under 35 pounds, and five layers for bows over 35 pounds. A single layer is genuinely thin, so it suits youth and first bows rather than adult equipment.
Owners like it for backyard play, beginner bowhunting practice, and for the traditional appearance, which also makes it a natural gift. At 4.5 stars across more than 1,100 reviews, the recurring themes are the traditional look, the shaft-friendly material, and the ease of use for kids.
Remember that it is handmade from degradable forage material, so the finished diameter varies a little from the listing. Loose material sheds debris while you shoot, and it should stay well away from broadheads.
Is a straw target a good first backyard purchase
It is a good first purchase if your bow is light and your sessions are short. A straw face teaches consistent form, sight alignment, and release without any risk of arrows passing through into a neighbor’s yard, which matters a great deal in a suburban setting.
It is the wrong first purchase if you plan to shoot a compound bow at 300 feet per second or use broadheads, or if you want a printed scoring face. Those needs point toward a foam block or a bag target instead.
How to plan for the debris a straw face sheds
Hang it rather than stand it on a stand if you can. Loose forage falls directly beneath a target, and a broom between sessions keeps the area tidy and makes it easier to spot a missed arrow in the grass.
Rotate between the 3-layer and 5-layer options as the archer’s bow grows. Buying the thicker face once the bow is outgrowing the single layer avoids replacing the whole target.
12. Shooter 3D Turkey Target for Realistic Shot Placement
SHOOTER Turkey 3D Archery Target, Lifelike Solid Body Design for Realistic Practice, Scoring Ring in Vitals, Includes Ground Stakes, 32”H x 31.5” W Size
32 inch H x 31.5 inch solid body
Scoring ring in the chest area
4 shootable sides
11 lb with ground stakes
Pros
- Realistic body shape for shot placement practice
- Printed scoring ring gives clear feedback
- Ground stakes included for anchoring
Cons
- Foam is not self-healing and breaks down fast
- Head and tail pieces can snap off
Everything else on this list is a flat face. A 3D target asks a different question, which is whether your arrow lands high or low on a real body. This turkey silhouette is 32 inches tall by 31.5 inches wide, weighs 11 pounds, and includes ground stakes for anchoring in grass, with four shootable sides to spread impact.
The solid body foam design gives a lifelike shape and a printed scoring ring in the chest area, so shot placement reads clearly after every arrow. For a bowhunter working on quartering-away angles or practicing a tree stand position, that feedback is the whole point.
Be realistic about the trade-off, because this is the least proven product in the roundup. It holds a 4.0 average across 218 reviews, the smallest review base here, and the complaints are consistent: the foam is not self-healing, the head and tail pieces can snap off, and minimal packaging has led to damage on arrival for some buyers.
It is also the only target here where harder draws can push arrows through. Treat a 3D target as a skill-practice supplement rather than a primary backyard target, and pair it with a foam block or bag that does the heavy stopping work.
What a 3D target teaches that a flat face cannot
A flat face tells you where your group is centered. A 3D target tells you whether that group is high or low on a body, and it makes tree stand angles and uneven shooting positions feel more like real situations. That is a meaningful difference for someone preparing for hunting season.
It does not improve precision grouping the way a printed bullseye does. Use it for placement practice and switch to a flat face when you are working on form and consistency.
How to protect a 3D target from early damage
Use field points and practice tips rather than broadheads. Broadheads tear foam that does not heal, and on a shaped target that damage also affects the silhouette, not just the face.
Stake it firmly and check it after windy days. Wind works on a broad flat surface like a sail, and a 3D target that tips or rolls is more likely to lose a head or tail piece than one that stays anchored.
Backyard Safety and Legal Basics for Target Shooters
Is it safe to practice archery in your backyard? It can be, and the two questions people ask most often online, about whether a target is legal and whether shooting is safe, have straightforward answers. The risk is never the target. It is what happens to an arrow that misses.
Before you set up, work through this list:
1. Identify a safe backstop for every direction you can shoot. A target alone is not a backstop. You need a wall, a fence line, a dense hedge, or a purpose-built arrow netting rated for the speeds you produce.
2. Confirm the property boundary and the direction of every shot. Account for neighbors, neighboring yards, roads, and pets, and remember that a high, slow arrow carries further than most people expect.
3. Check local and state rules. Some jurisdictions restrict archery practice near property lines, over public roads, or where a projectile could leave your land, so confirm before you shoot rather than after a complaint.
4. Keep people and animals out of the lane during shooting, and never step in front of the target to pull arrows while anyone is at full draw.
5. Start close and work out. Shots at 20 yards carry a fraction of the energy of the same arrow at 40, and beginners gain accuracy faster than they gain distance.
6. Use a backstop that is taller and wider than your maximum group, plus a margin. A backstop that just covers your current group will not cover a bad day.
7. Store arrows pointed down or in a quiver when not in use, and never leave loose arrows in the grass where a child or a pet can find them.
Building a small backyard practice area is the same discipline as setting up any other home practice space. If you enjoy that side of it, our backyard golf net picks cover the same questions about backstop height, netting rating, and safe clear zones. The physics of stopping a fast projectile does not change between sports.
How to Choose an Archery Target for Your Backyard
Start by identifying your bow and your arrow speed, because everything else follows. A traditional or recurve bow under 40 pounds, a modern compound, and a crossbow all need different stopping power, and the published FPS rating on a target is the fastest way to match them.
Know what the ratings mean. FPS is feet per second, the speed of the arrow at the target. Stopping power depends on arrow speed, arrow mass, and draw weight together, which is why a light fast arrow can be harder on a target than a slower heavier one. A rating with headroom above your actual speed is always better than a rating matched exactly to it.
Match your arrows. Field points and field tips are the least demanding. Fixed blade broadheads cut foam aggressively. Mechanical broadheads are similar but can be tuned to a lower cutting plane. Pass-through means the arrow exits the far side, which is both a safety problem and a sign the target is beyond its rating for your setup.
Match the target type to your goal. Foam blocks offer the largest shooting surfaces and the best broadhead tolerance. Bag targets are portable, quiet, and the easiest to pull arrows from, but they are field point oriented. Straw targets are gentle on wooden arrows and light on the wallet, but they shed debris and are unsuitable for blades. 3D targets teach shot placement on a body rather than group placement on a face.
Match the bow type to the target. Recurve and traditional shooters are well served by foam blocks and straw. Compound shooters need at least a 300 FPS rated foam block or a bag target. Crossbow shooters should look for 400 FPS and above, and should confirm crossbow approval where the listing states it.
Size the face for your distance. A 20-inch face works at 20 to 30 yards for most adults and gets tight beyond that. A group that grows past the printed aiming points means the face is too small, not that the archer is inaccurate.
Count the shooting faces, not just the price. A two-sided bag that wears out gives you two usable faces. A six-sided block gives you six. Owners who shoot tight groups daily get far more value from a multi-face block because the group never has to migrate to a destroyed area.
Factor in the move. A 28-pound bag and a 37-pound cube are stationary targets in practice. If your shooting line has to be cleared for a garden or a game, choose something one person can relocate, such as an 8-ounce block or a straw face.
Plan for weather. Targets described as weatherproof can stay outdoors year-round. Weather-resistant units tolerate rain and sun but last longer under cover. Store foam and bag targets out of direct sun when not in use, because ultraviolet exposure degrades the outer cover long before it reaches the foam.
Consider a used target carefully. The used market is mostly populated with foam blocks from brands that no longer make replacement inserts, which is the real trap. Buy a used block only if the core is solid, the layers are not delaminating, and you can confirm broadhead capability. Avoid a used straw face with any sign of blade damage, and never buy a used bag target you cannot test for pass-through.
DIY targets have limits. Straw bales, old carpet, and stacked tires appear constantly in forum threads. They can work for light recurve practice at close range, but they are unpredictable with compound bows and unsuitable for broadheads. Treat a homemade target as a temporary activity rather than a practice anchor.
Choosing equipment that suits a fixed practice spot at home is a broader habit than archery alone. Our electric violins for practice picks approach the same question from a different corner of the music world, and our headphone picks for piano practice cover the gear you wear while you work. The organizing idea is identical: match the tool to the room you actually have.
Target Maintenance Schedule for a Backyard Range
Ten minutes of maintenance at the right interval keeps a target shooting well for years. Here is a simple cycle.
After every session. Pull all arrows, brush debris off the face, and check the back for arrows that passed through and lodged in the backstop. Look at the face while it is still warm and note where the new holes are clustering.
Monthly. Check every face for pass-through, widening damage, or delamination between foam layers. Rotate the target so the most damaged area moves away from your shooting group. Inspect the seams and any wrap holding open layers together.
Before winter. Move bag and foam targets under cover if you can, or at least out of standing water and direct sun. Straw faces can stay outside but benefit from being hung off the ground. Leaving a target standing in a puddle is the fastest way to end a bag target’s life.
Cold weather arrow removal. This is the most common complaint from northern shooters. Cold foam grips harder, and arrow removal below about 40 degrees takes noticeably more force. Warm the arrow shaft with your hands before pulling, pull straight along the entry line rather than at an angle, and if an arrow will not budge, leave it overnight and let the target equilibrate. A plastic arrow puller helps with shallow entries and avoids damaging the fletching.
Annually. Replace the cover on a bag target if the seams have opened. Check replaceable core and insert availability for your block, since that is the moment a foam target that no longer has parts becomes a disposable one. Note the faces you are still using so the next replacement matches how you actually shoot.
Wildlife. Birds peck at printed faces and 3D targets, and small animals nest in foam blocks. A simple cover or a bird deterrent net over the top of the target prevents most damage, and it also keeps leaves out of the layers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put an archery target in my backyard?
Yes, in most places, as long as your arrows cannot leave your property. Put the target in front of a proper backstop such as a solid fence, wall, or arrow netting rated above your arrow speed, and check that the shooting direction does not cross a road, a neighbor’s yard, or a public space. Local and state rules vary, so confirm before you shoot. If a bad shot could reach beyond your property line, a commercial range is the safer choice.
Is it safe to practice archery in my backyard?
It is safe when three conditions are met: a rated backstop behind the target, a clear lane with no people or animals, and a safe distance from roads and property lines. Start at 20 yards and work outward as accuracy improves. Never retrieve arrows while anyone is at full draw, and treat the target as a front stop only, never as the backstop itself.
What is the best arrow for target practice?
Field points and field tips are the best choice for most backyard practice because they are the least damaging to foam and are the most forgiving to shoot. Use broadheads only when you specifically need practice for hunting, and dedicate a separate face or a separate target to them so blades do not destroy your precision aiming points. Match arrow weight to your bow rather than shooting the heaviest arrow you own.
Can I leave my archery target outside?
Targets described as weatherproof are built for year-round outdoor placement, and weather-resistant models tolerate rain and sun but last longer under cover. Foam blocks can stay out indefinitely, though ultraviolet exposure slowly degrades the outer cover. Bring bag targets in during winter if you can, and keep every target off standing water. Store them out of direct sunlight when not in use to extend cover life.
Do I need a different target for a crossbow than for a compound bow?
Usually yes, because crossbows produce noticeably higher arrow speeds. A foam block rated to 300 FPS suits most compound and recurve shooting, while crossbow shooters should look for a 400 FPS or higher rating and a listing that states crossbow approval. Bolts are heavier than arrows, so a target can feel harder on its face even at a lower FPS than a compound shot.
How long do archery targets last in a backyard?
It depends far more on shooting volume, arrow type, and face area than on the brand. Rotating between every available face, keeping broadheads on one dedicated face, and storing the target under cover between sessions all extend life substantially. A multi-faced foam block used for field points will typically outlast a two-sided bag target used daily, and a bag target used only on weekends can stay serviceable for years.
Final Verdict
For most people building the best archery targets for backyard practice setup, the Black Hole four-sided block is the one to buy first. It weighs 8 ounces, stops arrows to 300 FPS, accepts both practice tips and broadheads, and gives arrows back to you without a fight. The four faces are what make it last, and the friction-based stopping is what makes you want to keep shooting.
Match it to your bow from there. Crossbow shooters get more speed and more printed faces from the Morrell Double Duty 450 cube. Families who want one easy target everyone can use get the best value from the Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger. Broadhead-focused hunters who will shoot through a face should look at the Rinehart 18-1 and its eighteen self-healing faces.
Set the target in front of a real backstop, keep the broadheads on one face, and shoot more often than you think you need to. That last habit matters more than any of these choices.