I shoot outdoors into hay bales.

My problem is during the winter the moisture in the bales freeze.

I don`t shoot when it`s in the single digits, but will if it`s in the 20`s and 30`s and sunny.

Depending how wet the bales are, sometimes it`s like shooting into a brick wall.

And, many times I cannot retrieve the arrows. No matter how hard I pull, some won`t come out. Most times I end up breaking them trying to get them out, or sometimes they come out without the point.

I tried spraying silicone on the arrows near the points, but it only seems to help for a couple of rounds.

Any ideas on how to keep them from sticking the bale, and how to get them out if they do?
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I've been using them for years.Build a roof and side panels around them, they stay dry and last a long time if you rotate them,,,

Or cover them with a tarp until ready to shoot, then remove tarp.

I use excelsior bales (wood fiber).  I built a wooden platform with sides and a roof for them.  Been using the same set since 2000.

Seems rather obvious that you would need to cover them somehow. Don't get wet, no problem.

Are those any special types of bales?  The ones I got here locally were not nearly as tightly baled as that!

Yes, if any moisture gets in them, it will freeze. I've broken brand new arrows this way, mad to say the least. Cover the target somehow, or take a portable target out, like a bag target, in winter months.

Just noticed you are from WI, sorry. Welcome to Tradgang!

Blue tarp and bungees.

Cheap tarp!

I can't get hay bales,to,work,for me my,arrows blow,right through them. Tried a,heavy duty ratchet strap to. Or press them and it works for a little while but not very long.

Try the compressed straw bales, their smaller but, I have yet to get a arrow thru them. And that's shooting many many arrows at it.(60x31" draw)

I should have mentioned , I shoot at a Public Outdoor Range.

They`re not my personal hay bale targets.

So, covering them is not an option.

Yesterday is warmed up to almost 40degrees, but after seeing sub-zero windchilss earlier in the week after getting rain, the inside of the bales were still frozen.
I only lost one arrow after it cracked trying to retrieve it out of the target. Bad part, it was a brand new arrow.
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If covering them is not an option then use regular old steel blunts. They won't hurt frozen bales and should not penetrate enough to get stuck.

Spray some Armor All on the front of the shaft and give it a wipe.  Arrows will pull easy.  Re-do as needed.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ground Hunter:
Spray some Armor All on the front of the shaft and give it a wipe.  Arrows will pull easy.  Re-do as needed.

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I`ll try that.

The WD-40 and Silicone spray worked somewhat, but only for a couple of rounds.

I was going to try paste wax also.

It`s bad enough when I can`t retrieve the arrow, it`s even worse when I finally get it out but leave the point inside the bale.!
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I cover the front with a tarp and the rear has a stall mat.

yup put a tarp over it and you will be fine

QuoteOriginally posted by two4hooking:
I cover the front with a tarp and the rear has a stall mat.

   

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I wish I had a backyard like that!

Unfortunately, I shoot at a public range, so any type of covering is out of the question.
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