For starters

I found two twin size mattresses that someone was tossing out to replace with a new bed, so ...

I took them home and sunned them out for a few days. Then I stacked them against a fence in our yard.

By using some ingenuity with nylon roping I strapped the two mattresses together and made two hooks that are mounted about center in the backstop, and I hang my bag target on them when I want to practice.

I am using a Cabella 23 inch square 10 inch deep hi density bag target with five yellow, red black circles on each side of it.

If you inadvertently miss the bag while trying to shoot from ridiculous distances, then the mattress backstop may prevent a bad accident, like shooting one of your neighbors ... LOL

A King or Queen size mattress can be used also. You can also use some fabric paint to make it look presentable.

Thanks for the tip Rev, but I have a couple of neighbors that I want to "accidentally" shoot. Nah, just kidding. This set up might help me keep my son from hitting the neighbors garage, again. I know where someone dropped off two mattresses in a new sub-division being built and I think I'll do them a favor and go snag them.

Wear gloves my man.Myself I really cant see takeing someone elses Mattresses.....YUK.......But if it works Great...

Just find a big iron plate and put up......Hit it once and you will never miss your targetagain.That goes for your Son too......

LOL, if my neigbour puts up a matress up for a back stop it will be on fire that night!! LOL! I figure it looks better that way!

Just dont toast any marshmellos over it .......

thats kind of what I was thinking but didnt want to say anything...




I would imagine that it does work good but what happens when it gets rained or snowed on? I wouldnt think it would takethat too many times, orwithstanding any of the other elements,before it started to rot...

I guess its better than accidentally shooting someone though if space is limited...

It's all moot for me now anyway. Someone else has gotten to the mattresses as they are gone. Probably a builder picked them up and tossed them into the dump to make the lots more attractive for buyersdue tothe real estate crunch.

I wouldn't think a mattress would work that good. Most are just a little padding over a bunch of springs so I would not think that would do much IMO. If I put a mattress against the fence, the neighbor would not be to happy with me. Things like that would just not blend in around here! LOL!!

For a back stop behind my target I have use heavy insulation board in 4 X 8 sheets. I have used the 2 1/2 thick boards taping 3 together to stop the arrow.

I have also used 30" X 30" full pieces of the same material in front of my larger back stop to shoot my broadheads. The broadhead should penetrate completly through the target and the fletching should not penaterate the target. This will allow you to unscrew the broadhead from the arrow for easy removal of the arrow from the target.

Sometimes you may be able to obtain a few sheets left over from a construction projects by just asking.

Whatever you use be certain to test it in a safe place prior to use and should it become worn or wet test it to determine if is safe to use. In addition be certain the area behind the back stop does not allow any possible damage to person, pets, livestock, property etc.

The purpose of the back stop should only be to stop the arrow should you miss your smaller primary target and is not to promote shooting in any unsafe area.

Enjoy shooting.
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Thanks for the post.


chris