stack 3 bails 2x4 bottom and top bolt 2x4s togather with all thread on each side close to bails cut end of straw toward you and tighten all threads down as possible would last a very long time

Depends on how tight your bales are!...but layered closed-cell foam is best such as "black hole" targets. They take a pounding.

The compressed straw bale is a good, cheap idea, but never tried it.

Id say stay away form bails. Go buy a target, it will save money in the long run. Buy a bag for your field points, then when you get ready to shoot broadheads buy a cheap foam target that you dont mind throwing away.

Just to clarify, we are talking about hay bales and not excelsior bales, right? The latter would be adequate to stop your arrow but the problem, at least in my area, is finding a place to supply them.

ya i live on a farm and hay bales dont work....I tried it and it went straight through and i had the hay bales set up in front of the barn and gave the siding a new hole......i'd go with THE BLOCK its a great target

Here's mine. Made from 2"X10"X4' boards, cut, stacked, and compressed carpet. Works great for field points, two finger removal. Not made for broadheads, you'll need one of the foam style targets for broadhead practice. Hope this helps. Be safe.
Shoot Straight
Derbytown

I Shoot a bag target but some times i missed and it would hit the Hay bail
1000lbs It would all most go in my bow was shooting about 300+ but still i would take chances


AND PLEASE WHAT EVER YOU DO DONT SHOOT Broad HEADS AT IT

Sorry WOULD NOT I MENT

I'm shooting a 50# recurve that doesn't get near that speed , and it puts them right through a hay bale from 15 yards and sends them 10-15 past the back side . []

Get a foam target or 3-D deer .

Get a foam layerd target they work awsome. The bag target will work but when your arrows hit the bag they hardly ever stay at the same angle so you will tend to wreck arrows more!