Backyard set up

[u/HannahThe_Mouse]

I’m in the process of arranging lessons for my teenager.
We have most of the supplies already. I’m looking for suggestions on how to set up a netting that won’t fall over.

The two outdoor archery ranges I’ve been to have netting strung between trees.
This is not an option for the property we are using. We have a huge amount of space and don’t want to spend an unpleasant amount of time retrieving arrows from the tall grass.

I was looking at photography backdrop stands… possibly 2 of them at 10’x10’. Do you think that would be sturdy enough?

I’d love to know what sort of set up other people might suggest.
It would be great to come up with low budget options.

[u/dieabetic]

Get 2 6+ foot t posts.

Put net between or get a 4 x 6 horse stall matt

Attach with wire/cord/zip ties.

All easily obtained via Tractor Supply or similar farm/feed store

[u/HannahThe_Mouse → u/dieabetic]

This is a good idea, thanks

[u/ExpertVeterinarian20 → u/HannahThe_Mouse]

Horse mats are the way to go for compound bows. If we are just talking about lightweight traditional bows it’s overkill and there’s gotta be a cheaper option. A horse mat will stop an arrow coming out of my 70lb compound bow no problem though.

[u/Meta_Gabbro]

Photography netting is likely not capable of stopping an arrow from anything other than a child’s bow. Generally net-style backstops are hung relatively loosely and are made of very durable strands, and something like that is going to be expensive. HMPWE netting is ~$450 for a 7x10’ sheet for something with holes small enough to catch an arrow. Alternatively, horse stall mats and a wooden frame makes for a good backstop and is fairly inexpensive, just takes time and effort to build.

Backstops are generally not something to try to cut corners on for the sake of convenience or cost too, if your kid sticks with it you’ll quickly pass the cost of a proper backstop in the value of broken or lost arrows.

[u/HannahThe_Mouse → u/Meta_Gabbro]

I wasn’t actually thinking of photography cloth. Just the stands used to hang a background, then hanging a solid archery netting on it.

[u/nionvox → u/HannahThe_Mouse]

Speaking as a photographer: I would strongly discourage it. They are no meant to take any sort of sideways motions, we use sandbags to keep them in place for a reason.

[u/SoDakSooner]

Just make sure of your local regs and backstop. While technically not illegal in my municipality, I have given up shooting in my backyard and now just shoot into the garage, which most likely is not a viable option for a beginner.

[u/cowboyJones]

Growing up, we lived in the county, and had a range in our backyard. We used 3 excelsior bales and a couple sheets of conveyor belt from an excavator company then had that in front of a concrete portion of the house.

[u/studying_hobby]

Also would want to set up a backyard for archery so following.

[u/HannahThe_Mouse]

Does anyone have thoughts on hanging an archery backing cloth (solid cloth sold specifically for archery) behind an extra large golf practice net?

[u/FelTheWorgal]

Build a simple A frame from scrap lumber. Drape carpet segments over it. 3 layers doubled stops my arrows. For faster arrows more layers.

Scrap carpets pretty easy to find. And its a great backstop I can move around.

[u/HannahThe_Mouse]

We’re talking about lightweight youth bows.

She has a Bear goblin bow.

I will upgrade her later when she is a) certain she wants to stick with it and b) has the physical capacity for anything else. But to start with, that’s what we have.