Ever bend wood arrows just by shooting them?

[TxAg]

While we're on the subject, is there a preferred target medium for wooden arrows? Compressed straw would be good I'm sure but what about bag targets or dense foam?

[LBR]

Compressed straw or excelsior (sp?) bales will wear the finish off the point end quick.

Depending on the finish, they can glue themselves to foam or 3-D targets, especially without the soap.  I like an epoxy finish.  Cheap, durable, easy to apply, dries fast, very low target burn.

[Captain*Kirk]

FWIW, the only times I've noticed bent woodies was when one 'hit the dirt'. Even then, a quick hand flexing, or on more stubborn ones, a quick flattening with the Ace Roller:

takes care of it pronto.
As far as cause; I would also go with the bending on removal theory. 3D foam targets can be real mothers to get a deeply embedded arrow out of. Some people have recommended PAM cooking spray (though I've never tried it) to ease removal, and 3Rivers carries this:
  http://www.3riversarchery.com/scorpion-venom-target-arrow-release-fluid.html  
specifically designed for the purpose.
I've also found when shooting my woodies (POC) that after a hundred shots or so into the straw bale target butt that the coating gets worn off the field points and the finish off the front of the shaft. At that point removal gets increasingly difficult, especially in foam, until I re-apply (I use Bullseye spray on shellac...fast and easy).
Hope this helps!

[jackdaw]

I acquired some 45 year old POC....tapered....and they were awesome and straight. Ashe bent just by looking at it..!!!! Chundoo was good....have some Doug fir to try.

[Yewbender]

Nope, never had a problem and i only shoot woodies. Even when i glance an arrow off a target or tree,trees they almost always stay straight. The biggest cause of them bending is not pulling them out properly. You need to grab shaft right a target and pull straight out and sometimes use both hands. If you just grab the middle and dont pay attention and bend while pulling out you will put a bend in the shaft then you will have to straighten it out unless you break it.

[Sam McMichael]

I have shot POC, fir, and hickory. I do have to tweak some of them from time to time, but have never had a serious issue, except the hickory. It needed a lot of attention.