Have you ever been in the middle of a contentious argument over which target is ideal for archery? Otherwise, you may be shocked to hear that archers may have just as much affection for their targets as they do for their bows. I’ve delved into the depths of archery forums to give you the inside scoop on what’s hitting the mark and what’s missing the bullseye since the conversations can become as complicated as the targets themselves.
‘Block’ target – A comprehensive guide of opinions from various archers
Let’s start with the narrative of the ‘Block’ target, which appears to have a reputation as diverse as the arrows it’s supposed to stop. Some archers, like our buddy hawgdawg, have turned to DIY ways to prolong the life of their worn targets. He proposes employing ratchet tie downs to compress a shot-up layered target, a tactic that’s allegedly useful for a few more broadhead tuning sessions. Others, like D Dub, have moved on to the Morrell Outdoor Range and are singing its virtues, hoping to add a Morrell BH target to their collection shortly.
But not all experiences are made equal. Daniel BOOM cautions against the Gander Mountains block, which he characterizes as ‘built out of a poor substance.’ He advises that if you’re just shooting field points, a bag target is the way to go, as they ‘last a lot longer and arrows practically fall out of them when you pull them.’ S shilo, on the other hand, is trying to make do with what he has, considering steel banding after spending $60 on a target that didn’t meet expectations.
The ‘block’ target, in particular, appears to be a source of annoyance for many. MHansel laments arrows traveling ‘all the way to the vanes,’ whereas G GMorel1916 smashed his Black Hole target for failing to stop his arrows. DDan, however, has had a different experience with his Block Outfitter, which after roughly 1000 shots with fieldpoints, ‘isn’t even broken in.’
The community has come up with various fixes, from LiteSpeed1’s suggestion of using 2x6s and steel banding to compress the target, to rock monkey’s advice to avoid shooting broadheads and to keep bag targets out of the rain to prevent a ‘funky smell.’ Bellows1 and CssBowShooter recommend taking back targets that don’t perform, while others like JLMoore1956 and Maggie boast about their Block targets that have withstood thousands of shots without a pass-through.
Useless celebrity endorsements
The archery target saga doesn’t end there. Navy Chief expresses disappointment with his Block, despite its celebrity endorsements. T-LaBee points to an online thread for further discussion, while others like boone43 and hoytprotec share their experiences with Morrell and 3D targets, respectively.
The conversation takes a humorous turn with BTM’s sarcastic remark about celebrity endorsements, and RJ Hunt’s quip about the Block’s short-lived effectiveness with broadheads. Clutch and Z-Max suggest alternatives, with Z-Max favoring the Morrell Yellow Jacket, which he feels offers good value for money.
Breves introduces the Rinehart 18-1, a target ‘guaranteed for a year,’ which seems to be a popular choice among archers like CAS_HNTR@UC and Zeke Fantuz. Drayegon shares his satisfaction with a Morrell target that features various shooting games, and hunterdad recounts his experience with Block’s customer service, which replaced his target twice before he switched to the Yellow Jacket.
DIY targets
The discussion veers into the realm of DIY with jungleman06’s suggestion of creating a target from insulation board and newspapers, and Straight —» Arrow’s endorsement of the cube target. Trophyhill, meanwhile, has invested in a 3D deer target, which he believes will outlast the weather.
Beendare criticizes the Cabelas layered target, and boman shares his success with the Bulldog target. Tharper, who initiated the conversation, expresses his disappointment with the Black Hole target and the advice he received from customer service to buy a more expensive model.
The thread concludes with hunterdad’s inquiry about the Rinehart Brute and camoman73’s recommendation of the new Rinehart target with a replaceable insert.
Ultimately, the ideal archery target seems to be just as elusive as a flawless score. Finding the perfect target involves trial and error, personal tastes, and sometimes a dash of comedy, regardless of your level of experience in archery. When it comes to maximizing their objectives, the archery community is undoubtedly full of ideas and inventiveness. The next time you’re lining up your shot, keep in mind that every target has a backstory filled with victories, setbacks, and the never-ending quest for the ideal arrow stop.
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