I need advice on target mats....

[Bow50]

I need to buy some 36" mat type targets to put on a stand in my backyard. They will get alot of use.
I found a good deal on these types of targets at Walmart.com.
Can anybody tell me which material is tougher (they have 2 types) compressed rice grass or the round compressed straw grass ??

Thanks for any help you can give.

                     Bow50

[Van/TX]

You might check with Saunders to see what they use for their mats.  They have been the experts for decades.  Good luck....Van

[Dave2old]

Coffee bean burlap bags at your local yuppie latte emporium: 75 cents each. Endless amounts of heavy plastic from local post office, free. Baling wire to stich up the open ends of burlap bags after stuffing with plastic and stomping down tight ... a nickel, max? Not only cheap, but they'll stop anything with a field point, are light and can be moved around at will, are resistant when left out in the weather, can be turned vertically for tuning-in, or horizontally to resemble the torso of deer, elk, etc., and to refurbish each spring simply "sock" the old target with a new bag. About 2' by 3' on average. Good luck. El cheapo Dave

[portugeejn]

The burlap bag/plastic works well, but make sure you turn it over every once in a while if you have it up against your garage door--don't ask me how I know!

Not as "traditional" looking as the round straw grass target, but I bet the burlap bag target will last longer and cheaper by far.

Ron

[mike g]

Saunders Matts are made from Prairie (spelling) Grass....I have and love it....

[AllenR]

The public archery range in a local park uses the Saunders round mats - 36" diameter.  These get shot at almost every day and need replacing twice a year.

One problem when they are new is that it is very difficult to pull an arrow from the center portion of the target.  They are just packed so tight.

The one's I saw on the Walmart site don't look that great.  I would get a big bag targer from Cabela's.

[Dave2old]

portugeejn -- brother, you just need more plastic and to stomp it down harder! Grocery bags don't get it. The PO plastic is heavy-duty. And hey, don't garages need ventilation?    Dave

[Bow50]

Thanks everybody, I can always count on my Tradgang brothers for experience and advice..have a great summer.

[DEATHMASTER]

I have used the feed bags from corn (doubled)  and filled with old tarps that were torn or found in the junk. close with parachute cord and hang.

Today went to a junk sale and found a delta 2" thick 24"x24" high density foam target new in plastic $00.50, snapped that up.

DEATHMASTER

[Shawn Leonard]

The feed bag thing is the way to go, ya can also use old nylon screens all sorts of stuff, they hold up well and after ya wear out the feed bag just go get more for nothing in most cases. I also have a bag target from Dicks, $20 and it holds up real well. Same thing, once the bag weras just restuff it into some feed bags. Shawn