As a chubby high school kid, I was never an athlete, but when our gym class had a few weeks of archery, I was floating on air.
Those kids who didn’t shoot a bow and arrow much had no clue that the three feathers on one end of the arrow were crucial to good arrow flight. Some of our gym class arrows had two feathers and occasionally just one. I fondly recall complaining to our gym teacher and one grumpy boy yelling, “Just shoot!” Even with only two feathers, I normally outshot most of my classmates.
The funniest thing of all was when a gust of wind blew our excelsior or woven-straw target over, snapping most of our already sketchy arrows in half.
Archers and bowhunters didn’t have many options for practice, other than a Saunders Archery or similar woven “Indian grass” target bale. There was no worrying about shooting through a target. Foam 3-D animal targets hadn’t been invented back in the 1970s.
Fast forward about four decades and arrow flingers have a new problem: Today’s high-tech bows are shooting at speeds exceeding 350 feet per second, while crossbows have reached and exceeded 500 fps. Without the proper selection, there’s a real danger of shooting through your foam or bag target.
Wisconsin’s archery deer season arrives Sept. 17, and most bow and crossbow hunters should have been practicing in earnest for the past few weeks or even months. The latest compound bows with string peep and lighted pin sights, drop-away arrow rests and release aids make pinpoint shots out to 50 yards relatively routine, but when a big buck’s in your sight window and your heart is hammering like a pileated woodpecker, it’s easy to do stupid things like pick the wrong pin or jerk your release aid.
Some think crossbow hunters don’t need to practice (mostly those who have never shot one), but the shorter, lighter crossbow bolts (think mini-arrows) are often more affected by wind and will miss by several feet if you misjudge the yardage.
Like most hunters, I have a motley collection of gear, and a big collection of bow and crossbow targets. I learned the hard way what happens when a crossbow bolt strikes a 3-D target when shooting once at Critter’s Wolf River Sports in Winneconne. They have a nice indoor range that is right next to their Woodeye’s Bar, so folks can drink some beer and laugh at you when you make a bad shot — or in my case, a good shot.
Even a power lifter can have trouble getting an embedded crossbow bolt out of a 3-D target, as I did that day. A burly guy shooting at the range offered to help. We laid the javelina target on its side and he pulled with both hands, finally snapping my carbon arrow. I couldn’t get mad because I also had been unable to pull it out. Lesson learned.
Chris “Critter” Boucher, owner of Critter’s, recommends using a bar of soap (ivory soap sticks the best) or a commercial arrow lube such as Woody’s brand on bolts before shooting into a 3-D target. The heat created by friction when the arrow zips into the foam actually fuses it in there, he explained. Some even use Pam non-stick pan spray on their bolts and arrows.
Aluminum bolts won’t stick quite as easily as the more popular carbon shafts, he noted, but the former are much easier to bend when pulling out a stubborn one.
Boucher was carrying a heavy-duty target called the Big Shot Ironman for about five years, but it wasn’t very popular because it was so heavy and hard to move. Then the speed demons firing more than 400 fps came along, “and they were blowing through every target.” The Ironmans (offered in 18- and 36-inch widths) came out of storage and are now his most popular target for the fastest crossbows. They are priced at about $90 to $150.
The best part about the Ironman is how easily crossbow bolts and arrows are removed from the target face.
Several companies make block targets, including some with a rigid external box that holds the softer core inside. Striking the outer shell may be hazardous to your shafts.
Boucher taught me one of the best tricks for shooting a moderate-speed crossbow. Suspend a sturdy bag target with a 2x4 held between sawhorses. When the bolt strikes the target, it will swing and soak up some of the energy, reducing penetration. I’ve used this with great success.
Simple foam targets, most often square, are great for youth and traditional bows. These are inexpensive and lightweight, but usually require staking to remain in place.
Another great way to practice with your bow is to put a few blunt tips on a few arrows and walk through the woods, practicing shots at stumps, leaves or any target you see in bow range. This field archery technique also helps you sharpen your ability at judging distance.
Foam deer targets with replaceable centers give you realistic practice in your yard or park. Check with your local police if you are in city limits because some towns don’t allow archery shooting. Can you believe that?
Good hunting to you this fall. I hope you’ve worn out at least one target already.
Ross Bielema is a freelance writer from New London and owner of Wolf River Concealed Carry LLC. Readers can contact him at Ross@wolfriverccw.com.
Special target needed to stop hyper-fast bows
