I was hoping to purchase a burlap elk target however the one I found appears to no longer be in production.  Not to be deterred I just ordered 4 yards of burlap to sew my own.  Any advice, experience, dimensions anyone wants to share would be great?

Was an article in TBM couple years back on a fella that made a homade moose target, looked like a great idea and I don't see why it wouldn't work for an elk also.

Hi, I wrote that article.  I used burlap feed bags purchased from a tractor supply store and jute twine.  A bag for the head and neck, two for the torso, and one for each quarter.  You just bunch up the burlap where you need a fold or joint.  I did not make the legs full length.   I hung the target off a clothesline setup.  I used water softening bags to stuff the target,  they do not have to be packed tight to stop arrows with target points.   For realistic dimensions, call a taxidermist.  You might be able to find the dimensions online or maybe the 3D target makers.

I made a copy elk with true dimensions . Then took projector paper and traced the outline of the elk onto the clear plastic. I put the projected outline on the wall in the basement and moved the projector in and out until the dimensions were the same as a real elk. I put a heavy duty sheet of blue board insulation on the wall, traced the true to life size elk. I painted him  then set it in front of my large foam bale target. That way I could get my mind to adjust to the size of the elk..

As one who generally makes his own targets, let me throw this out there. I just build the torso of the animal im after with proper dimensions, saves material, labor and for myself accomplishes the same goal. Just throwing out ideas.
Paul   [/url] [/IMG]

I've been digging the net.  I've got some good ideas.  I'll try and post a build along when I get done.

Grommets across the top are key. Stuff with soft plastics only.

burlap bags that are used for green coffee beans plus some t-posts, never shoot for the center of the target. Go for the vitals as if walking in either direction:

obvious cow elk body:


and another:

You could make it out of plywood, cut the kill zone out and use burlap bag to fill the kill zone. I see moose and bear silhouettes made from plywood and thought it would be cool to just cut the kill spots out. If you miss and hit the plywood, just consider it a strong rib.

That's my plan.  Got the plywood all ready for when I get home tonight.

Brad

You have a pm

Can anyone help me I'm trying to post pictures of my elk target from an iPhone

QuoteOriginally posted by Biathlonman:
That's my plan.  Got the plywood all ready for when I get home tonight.

Brad

Did you make it? How'd it come out?

QuoteOriginally posted by donalcorn:
Can anyone help me I'm trying to post pictures of my elk target from an iPhone

if you email me a pic, I'll post it for you

lankford.jeff@gmail.com

I think it turned out great though my wife wasn't real impressed with the giant elk target in the backyard.  Women!   . I'm working on pictures.

I started by printing out a picture of an elk and taping it to a piece of cardboard for rigidity.  Then cut it out.


Then waited until dark and used a flashlight on the back side to cast an elk "angel" on a piece of plywood.  After I got the exterior dimension the correct height (about 30" top to bottom), I added back in the part I had cut out but this time minus the vitals. Trace and cut out...



I then stapled burlap to the bottom back side and around the edges leaving the top open so I could "stuff" the elk with sheets of foam out of an old block target that long ago fell apart but whose pieces I kept.  I imagine about anything will work for stuffing.  Then pulled it tight and stapled the top part.  Add a little paint and some legs to get me to 4.5 feet of back height and we have...

Excellent!   I am going to steal your idea .

That is great! I want one too!

WOW. That looks great!!

Brad great job that looks awesome