Bowhunting Target Guide + DIY Options: Bag, Foam Block & 3D Compared

The target you practice on matters more than most bowhunters admit. Shoot a bag target all summer, then try to aim at a 3D deer for the first time in September — and you'll notice the difference immediately. Different target types build different skills, and some are far better suited to hunting prep than others.

This guide covers every major target type — bag, foam block, and 3D — with honest pros and cons, specific product picks at each price point, and full DIY builds for under $30 if you'd rather build than buy.

The Three Target Types: Quick Comparison

Type	Best For	Arrow Removal	Broadhead Safe	Lifespan	Cost
Bag target	Field point practice, high volume	Easy	No	1–3 seasons	$30–$80
Foam block	Field points, some broadhead models	Easy to moderate	Some models	2–4 seasons	$50–$120
3D target	Hunting prep, shot placement	Moderate	Yes (most)	3–6 seasons	$80–$400+
DIY foam stack	Budget practice, broadheads	Easy	Yes	1–2 seasons	$15–$30
DIY carpet roll	High volume, field points	Easy	No	2–3 seasons	$0–$20

Bag Targets

Bag targets are filled with synthetic fibers, fabric scraps, or poly-fill material that grips the arrow on the way through and stops it without a pass-through. They're cheap, durable for field points, and easy to move around. The downside: they are not broadhead safe. Broadheads slice through the fill material and either pass through or get buried so deep they're a pain to extract.

Best Bag Targets

• Morrell Yellow Jacket — The most popular bag target on the market. Stops arrows fast, survives thousands of shots, and the replaceable insert extends the life significantly. Best value for a dedicated field point practice bag.
• Rinehart Bag Target — Heavier construction than the Yellow Jacket with a reinforced outer shell. Worth the extra money if you're shooting 50+ arrows per session regularly.
• Field Logic Hurricane — Budget pick. Works fine for casual practice at 20–30 yards but won't last as long under heavy use.

Foam Block Targets

Foam block targets use layered or self-healing foam to stop arrows. They're heavier than bags but last longer and some models handle broadheads without destroying themselves. The Block Classic is the benchmark — its open-layer foam design lets arrows penetrate and stop without the shaft bending, and arrows pull out cleanly every time. For bowhunters who want one target that handles both field points and broadheads, a quality foam block is the right call.

Best Foam Block Targets

• Block Classic — Four shootable sides, handles field points and broadheads, and the open-layer foam system means arrows pull out with two fingers. The gold standard for backyard practice.
• Block Vault — Denser foam for high-speed bows (300+ fps). If you're shooting a fast setup, the standard Classic may not stop your arrows reliably at close range.
• Morrell Double Duty — Field point and broadhead safe on separate sides. Good two-in-one option if you switch between tip types during practice.

3D Targets

3D targets are the closest thing to a real hunting scenario you can replicate in your backyard or at a 3D range. They're shaped like game animals — deer, elk, bear, turkey, hog — with a vital zone insert that shows you exactly where you're hitting. For hunters, the skill of reading a deer's body and placing a shot on a vital zone (not just a circle) is genuinely different from paper or block practice. A 3D deer forces you to find the shoulder, judge the angle, and aim at a spot — not a target face.

Best 3D Targets

• Rinehart 18-1 — Eighteen replaceable vital inserts in one base animal. When the insert wears out, you replace it instead of the whole target. Best long-term value in 3D targets. Broadhead safe.
• McKenzie Whitetail Deer — Lifelike pose, replaceable vital, and dense self-healing foam. The most realistic deer body shape on the market — good for hunters who want true-to-life shot placement practice.
• Delta McKenzie Strutter Turkey — Essential for spring turkey hunters. A strutting tom has a very different aiming picture from a deer, and practicing on one before the season is worth more than any amount of paper work.
• Rinehart Woodland Elk — Full-size elk body for western hunters. The scale matters — elk are much bigger than deer and the shot picture is different. If you're going on an elk hunt, you want to practice on an elk-sized target.

DIY Target Builds

If you'd rather build than buy, three DIY options work well and cost a fraction of commercial targets. None require special tools — just materials from a hardware store or fabric shop.

DIY Build 1: EVA Foam Stack (Broadhead Safe) — ~$25

Stack layers of EVA foam (the same foam used in gym floor mats) inside a wooden frame or tarp and you have a broadhead-safe target that stops arrows clean and lets them pull out easily. This is the preferred DIY option for bowhunters who want to practice with broadheads.

Cost: 6 foam tiles at ~$2–3 each = $12–18 total. Add a ratchet strap if you don't have one: $25 all-in.

DIY Build 2: Carpet Roll (Field Points Only) — $0–$20

A tightly rolled section of old carpet stops field points reliably and lasts for thousands of shots. Carpet scraps are often free from flooring stores that discard offcuts. This is the zero-cost option for high-volume field point practice.

Note: Do not shoot broadheads into carpet. They will shred the fibers and either get stuck or destroy the roll. Use field points only.

DIY Build 3: Cardboard Box Stack — $0

The most accessible DIY target: pack a large cardboard box tightly with smaller cardboard pieces, newspaper, or plastic bags and tape it shut. Not as clean as foam or carpet, but it's genuinely free and works at short distances. Replace the box when it gets too beat up. Good for beginners or kids who just want to shoot without a major investment.

Which Target Should You Buy?

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