I'm trying to set up an outside practice area for my shooting. In my city limits, the ordinance says I must have a backstop behind my target. The ordinance doesn't specifically define what a backstop must be made out of. I will be shooting from the ground as well as off my deck, which is 12" off the ground. The farthest shot I can take in my backyard is roughly 40 yards.

My thought is to make a stand, place it behind the target, and hang a horse stall blanket over it. I've heard horse stall blankets make good backstops.  I also thought the stand would be easy to move so I can easily reposition the target.

What do you think, any ideas?

Those rubber horse stall mats work good

x2 on the rubber horse mat


Just put one up at my house last month. The wooden fence thanks me.

Plywood? Then you might REALLY suffer if you miss.

I use two sheets of 1/2" treated plywood. Never harmed my arrows yet. Course I'm shooting carbon so, don't know what it would do for wood.

x3 on the horse stall mat.

X4 on the horse stall mats. You can make a simple frame to hang them from and move it as needed.
You are lucky that your town allows you to shoot in your yard. Most towns in Kansas don't..  :rolleyes:

Horse stall is good old carpet works too.  I have 4 straw bales with carpet hanging behind. You are fortunate-40 yds is a big yard!

I think you would want the mats and not the blankets. The blankets that we used on our horses weren't that thick