9 pros of portable targets

Covid resulted in facing many challenges to practice our favorite hobby. The lockdowns, closed archery clubs and the limited living space made us look for other solutions to maintain our archery form. Since then, interest in portable targets has increased tremendously.

A portable target is compact and lightweight. They come as a bag type or a block type.


Bag type                                                                                Block type

Most of them are light and have handle loops for easy transport. Because of their size, they fit easily in any type of car and this maked it perfect to take with you while travelling.

Target bags can be heavy as some of them weigh up to 20kg. The weight and stopping power depends on the bag filling. The most common fillings are foam or fabric.
The bags and blocks have preprinted targets in many different designs on the shooting sides. There are always min. two shooting sides, sometimes four. This makes them a great training tool for short distance training and a must-have for every archer that does not have the space for a full target range at home. Your arrows come out easily with most of these targets. You do not want to have tired arms just by pulling six arrows out of your target.

Pros:

• Easy to carry due to its light weight and carry loops.
• Can be used in smaller spaces. Even apartments for short distance training.
• The foam or fabric is gentle for your arrows.
• The different target designs that are preprinted on the block or bag diversify your shooting sessions.
• Some bag targets offer spare outer bags.
• They have great stopping power.
• No need for a target stand as it stands on the ground by itself.
• Portable targets are shootable on two or four sides.
• Arrows are easily pulled out.

Cons:

• Limited in size. (largest available size is around 70 cm x 70 cm x 30 cm)
• Some target bags can be heavy depending on the filling.
• The target prints will wear when leaving them outside.
• Portable targets are throw-away targets. Once the filling or foam is worn out it loses their stopping power.
• Target sizes and prints are not officially approved by World Archery.

What to pay attention to:

• Are you a beginner? Be careful on longer distances as these targets are only available in smaller dimensions. Always start with short distance shooting if you are not confident. Tip: Not sure about it ? Put a backstop netting behind the target. Safety first!
• Be sure the target is suitable for your needs. If you want to shoot it with a +400fps crossbow you will need one that stops this kind of power too. Always inform sufficiantly with your dealer.
• The first part that will be damaged with a bag type portable targets will be the outer cordura bag. Therefore it's good to know if the manufacturer has this part available for your type of
  target. Avalon is offering the outer bags of these targets as a spare part: Click here to see all spare outer bags.
• Not all portable targets are shootable on four sides.
• Always place your target on a flat ground surface so it cannot tip over and eventually break your arrows. Tip: Recently Avalon came out with a metal target stand that offerd the possibility to hang a target by the loops. A056878
• Do you want to practice with broadheads? Then go for a block type target. Most of them can sustain hunting points.

Our team choices:

• Bag target (small) - A010994
• Bag target (large) - A048177
• Bag target (crossbow) - A056317
• Block target (small) – A010961
• Block target (large) - A010962
• Block target (crossbow) - A054836

A portable target is probably the best choice if you just want to have the opportunity to shoot some arrows safely inside your house, on a trip or in your backyard.
We have a wide variety of targets to choose from.
You can find all portable targets here and all crossbow targets here.

Please, always bare in mind the safety of your shooting area. Do not take any risks and make sure no one can get hurt.
Enjoy your shooting.

Thank you for reading!

Walterfrom SSA Archery | 07/03/2022