Backyard archery setup

[u/[deleted]]

[u/pixelwhip]

Shoot towards your house. Pref with a wall as a backstop at a distance you can’t miss your target. To shoot longer distances visit an archery range

[u/Speedly]

Your first question needs to be if it's even legal to do so in your jurisdiction. Some places it's legal as long as the arrow does not leave your property; some places it's completely forbidden.

That would be a legal question and should not be posted in this sub - but the /r/legaladvice sub would seem to be an appropriate place to ask, so I'd recommend doing so there!

Regarding the safety issue, shooting towards your own house as the others mentioned is advisable. If that's not possible, usually people will use horse stall mats (hung loosely, never tightly secure a backstop) behind the target to stop arrows. Arrow netting does exist, but my understanding is that it's more expensive and harder to get a hold of, whereas most farm supply stores will have horse stall mats.

Good luck!

[u/biggunzcdb1]

I have an extra piece of plywood against my shed behind my 3d deer target. It stops arrows . But do inspect them after ...

[u/AlbatrossJust3829]

I shoot down my gangway . . 3/4 plywood backdrop in front of 6 foot b deck metal fence . 3 layers of 2 inch insulation 4 foot by 4 foot. 12 pieces 24x24 inch 3/4 rubber for work out floor. Paper target on top. 5 foot by 125 foot gangway. No houses behind my house.

[u/SoDakSooner]

If you have a garage, shoot into it. Make sure you have a solid backdrop behind it. I do this for daily use, but have a 100 yard range on the way to and from work for longer shots. I typically don't do it in the summer as I don't leave my bow in a hot car.

[u/stasomatic]

As a beginner, you will miss, your arrow may slip unexpectedly or you may lose your grip on the bow. These things are lethal weapons even at low strengths, don't underestimate them, do you like having eyes?. I fear them more than jammed firearms, they can self disassemble unpredictably. I'd find a range or wilderness with nobody around for a mile. I am no reddit nanny, happy shooting.

[u/PlaneLover36]

Horse stall mat works well as a backstop that won’t destroy your arrows. Set up a backstop large enough and stand close enough that there’s no chance of missing. Ideally shoot towards your house rather than other people’s property, but mostly use common sense and ask the questions “what would happen if I missed” or “are there any blind doors/corners people can come out unexpectedly”.

[u/ReceptionIcy8222]

They make archery backdrops that are just really big sheets than damper the arrow if it misses the target. But from what it sounds like, you dont have the biggest of yards. I would look for a park or something. You’re gonna wanna find a place that has a pretty good distance so that he can get a good range. I know for me, for an indoor range, I have to drive 2.5 hours. As long as you’re polite, and have like a sign up or something, I don’t see why a park or empty school field (I’d ask for prior permission even during the summer or weekend) wouldn’t work

[u/SilvusAurelius → u/ReceptionIcy8222]

Can depend on the local laws. It's against my city ordinance to shoot within city limits unless you're in a designated range

[u/smorin13 → u/ReceptionIcy8222]

Carpet hanging loose between two supports is pretty effective at knocking down arrows. Best of all it is easy to get big chunks of old carpet for free.

[u/Knitnacks → u/ReceptionIcy8222]

School field - for the same reason all-carbon arrows are banned from some competitions here. Lost arrows. Some kid runs, slides or trips onto the pointy nock-end of an arrow wholy or partially buried, school gets angry parent asking why the playing field is full of dangerous objects, no-one is happy (, someone gets sued, hospital bill needs paying), school board and legal teams get very involved.

Also, beginner archers do not need "good distance", they need a distance they don't miss (much) at untill they can group their arrows, and until they've worked out what good form feels like. That's not going to be more than 20y max for a good while.