If there’s one thing that clearly makes 3D archery different from other types of archery, it’s the targets! Rules and target types may vary from target archery to field archery and so on, but only in 3D archery do you have life sized 3D replicas of any animal you can think of.
Shooting at a full, life sized bear target from yards away just adds to the realism of practicing for the hunt. With so many 3d targets available on the market today, many archers wonder which are the best, highest quality targets for the money.
It’s no secret that 3D archery targets go from a bit pricey to downright expensive, so if you’re going to spend your hard earned money on one – it better be a quality target.
The quality of 3D targets is determined by several factors. Durability, sturdy construction and how well they hold up to the elements are just a few of them. We’ll rate lots of different 3D targets for these factors as well as others and give you the list of the best 3D targets available today.
Stick with Name Brands
One way to help insure that you only ever buy a high quality 3D target is to only buy the name brand targets. I’m not against smaller companies or anything – far from it! If there were a small company to come out and offer high quality 3D targets at reasonable and affordable prices I’d be the first to recommend them.
The reason I advise you to stay away from anything but the few main companies producing 3D targets is because right now the only other 3D targets on the market tend to be cheaply made knock offs.
Yes, as I said above, 3D targets go from pricey to expensive. But at least you’re more likely to be getting a quality target. Many of the cheap knock offs will fall apart, are made from cheaper materials and won’t stand up to many shots from your bow.
I’d much rather pay more for quality once, instead of buying something that either I can’t stand using or something that is completely useless in a month. I’ve heard quite a few stories about even well cared for targets that fell apart after a few weeks of use or a few hundred arrows shot at them.
So it’s important to stick with the companies that have proven themselves by having manufactured tons of quality targets over the years. The main producers of quality 3D targets today are Delta McKenzie, Rinehart and Field Logic.
Most targets from any of those three manufacturers should be made from heavy duty materials and feature quality construction. You probably want to avoid any brands or companies that you’ve never heard of, as they’re most likely cheap foreign knock offs.
3D Target Maintenance
Once you’ve made your choice and you’ve plunked down the money for that 3D target, you’ll want to keep it in the best possible condition possible. Why pay all that money for an awesome 3D target and not get the most time and shots out of it as you can?
The following are a few tips for prolonging the life of any 3D archery target. I strongly advise you to check them out and take a few notes. They’ll insure that your new 3D target remains in shooting condition for as long as possible.
Can 3D targets stay outside all year?
The first thing you need to figure out is if you’re going to keep your 3D targets outside all year round. In many parts of the country this is completely fine, as long as you take measures against the sun and the rain, as we’ll cover in a minute.
If you’re on the east coast or in an area that gets snow in the winter, you’ll probably want to at least bring your targets indoors for storage during the harsh winter months.
Protect your 3D targets from the weather:
The main things that you’ll need to keep in mind when it comes to keeping your 3D target in good condition are the sun and the rain. If you have a nice shaded, tree covered area where you’ll be using your target – that would be one of the best spots you could choose.
Trees will naturally help to keep some of the sun and the rain off of your target, but you can go a step further if you want to. You could use a brown, green or camouflage colored plastic tarp and sort of “hide” it in the branches of the trees above the target.
This will keep the tarp out of view, while at the same time offering a lot more protection for your target from the rain. You can use outdoor rope to tie the tarps to the branches and even use nails if you don’t overdo it.
Even with proper protection from the sun and the weather, after awhile your 3D targets will need a little touch up. You can easily repaint most 3D targets with matching color spray paint, and then finish them with a couple of coats of Thompson’s water seal outdoor sealant.
While we’re at it, many people will even give brand new 3D targets a coat or two of sealant before they put it out for use. Just avoid applying the sealant to the removable vital area of the target.
Cover Your Targets
While we’ve already talked about using both trees and tarps to cover your targets from some of the sun and rain while still blending in with the environment, tarps are a must for anyone who leaves their 3D targets outdoors for any length of time.
If you’re shooting your targets pretty frequently and / or you’re in an area with nice weather this may not apply to you. Even if it’s nice outside, if you’re not planning to shoot your 3D targets for a week or longer – you should be covering those targets when their not in use.
You could buy 3D target covers that are specifically made for 3D archery targets, but many of these are overpriced and they all vary in their levels of quality and how much wear and tear that they’ll stand up to.
A cheaper alternative that often works just as well is to buy a few of those cheap plastic tarps that you can get at almost any hardware store. As long as you get one that’s large enough for each of your targets, these should work fine for covering you targets for extended periods of time.
Another great option is to use gas grill covers if they’re the appropriate size for your larger 3D targets. Often times these can be found for less than 3D target covers and can be more durable and actually protect your targets better.
Target Arrangement
Another thing to keep in mind when you’re shopping for 3D archery targets is their placement. It’s a good idea to have the spot picked out where you’ll put the target, before you buy the target itself.
Are you shooting in your backyard, or do you have a large piece of land where you’ll be shooting? Where exactly you’ll be shooting at the target will help you determine what the best targets are for your given circumstances.
The distance of target placements is another thing to consider before actually buying a target. How far away you’ll be from the target and how much land you have for targets can help you to figure out what size targets you can use.
More land will allow you to comfortably shoot at larger targets. You don’t want a huge 3D target in a small back yard.
If you’re looking to put up some targets in smaller areas, there are some great 3D targets available on the market today that are perfect for back yards and smaller pieces of land. Specifically, the turkey, boar and small animal targets listed below are perfect for this.
Targets and Backstops
Regardless of where you put the target, you should build at least a basic backstop for it. Some camo covered plywood sheets a few feet behind it should work pretty good, and won’t cost you too much.
If nothing else, you should at least place your targets in areas with natural backstops. Putting targets at the bottoms of hills, in front of sand hills or with wood piles behind them are all great ideas for keeping your shooting area much more safe.
You could also pile up dirt, brush and branches behind targets or pile some scrap wood behind them. If you have any, bales of hay make great cheap backstops for catching those stray arrows.
The better option would be to build a few real backstops with wood and some foam for covering up the wooden panel. If you do build wooden backstops, be aware that arrows hitting wood directly can not only be loud, it can damage your arrows as well. Foam or other coverings are great for catching your arrows without causing them any damage.
What To Look for in 3D Targets:
Bow Use: You need to only use the right targets that are built for shooting with your type of bow. There are targets that can take shots from a recurve bow, but a crossbow would ruin them. Some targets are fine to shoot with low draw weight bows, but heavier compound bows could shoot straight through them.
The bottom line is to check what types of bows the target’s meant to be shot with before you buy.
Durability: One of the most important factors in choosing a quality 3D target is it’s level of durability. Most 3D targets aren’t cheap, and that’s all the more reason that they should be built to last a long time.
They need to not only hold up well to the weather, but to hundreds or thousands of shots from arrows. When buying any of the larger, more expensive 3D targets – only by those that come with replaceable vital areas.
Those are the areas that you’ll be hitting the most, it’s important you can replace them when needed, so you don’t have to buy a whole new target instead. Targets that are made with self healing foam are great for taking lots of hits from arrows for several years.
Also look for targets that are stable and weigh enough on the bottom that they’ll stay put once you’ve set them up where you want them.
Arrow Release: A common gripe of many 3D archers is arrow hold. Some 3D targets tend to make it difficult to retrieve your arrow, as they get stuck in the target.
You never want to fight with the target to get your arrow back, as this could bend or damage your arrows. Look for targets that will release your arrows gently and easily.
While we’re at it, some arrow lube and a cheap arrow puller can make it much easier to retrieve your arrows, even from some of the more “grippy” targets. Both of these are very inexpensive and are definitely worth having in your archery bag when you’re shooting 3D archery.
If you don’t want to buy arrow lube, you could even use bar soap instead, many archers do just this. Try both of them out and see which one seems to work best for you.
3D Deer Targets
Probably the most common and most frequently seen type of 3D targets, 3D deer targets are everywhere. Because of bow hunting, there are lots of different models of deer targets to choose from.
Deer targets are also one of the types of targets that you need to be cautious about as far as manufacturers go. As I mentioned above, there are lots of cheap foreign knock offs out there, and this is especially true when it comes to 3D deer targets.
Now for our picks for Best 3D Targets…
Delta McKenzie Lethal Impact 3D Target
This target’s really cool! The manufacturer says that it can take any type of arrow – even broadheads. It has self healing foam for durability and boasts easy arrow removal as well. They also say that it’s built for use with any type of bow, that’s a quality target.
Made by Delta McKenzie, a company known for producing high quality 3D targets, it even comes with a one year manufacturer warranty. A great choice for any archer.
Rinehart Woodland Buck 3D Target
Another great target is Rinehart’s Woodland Buck. Made from Rinehart’s solid FX foam, this thing is solid and ways in at 120 pounds. It’s removable vital area is made from Rinehart’s signature self healing foam for lasting durability. It also sports locking replacement inserts which keep it sturdy and secure. This is one target that should stay put, wherever you decide to put it.
3D Bear Targets
Delta McKenzie Elite Walking Bear
A really cool target, the Delta-McKenzie Elite Walking Bear is made from self healing foam for years of durability. This target’s hand painted so there’s no glare on it, unlike the glare on many cheaper targets.
This target uses a twist lock assembly to hold itself together, it makes this a sturdy 3D target. Delta McKenzie’s U.V. Protective paint will help it hold up to the sun for far longer than other targets. My first choice for a 3D bear target.
Delta McKenzie Standing Bear 3D Target
Made specifically for crossbows, this target can stand up to more powerful bows with higher draw weights. It’s made in the USA from E-Z flex foam for easy arrow removal.
A Cost Effective Option:
Let’s get right to the point, 3D bear targets are expensive. Since these targets are life sized, they take a lot more materials to build. And if you’re buying 3D targets that are made from high quality materials from head to toe, the increased price point makes sense.
There is a low cost option that I found that many of you might be interested in checking out. While I haven’t got a chance to personally test this one out, the Field Logic Shooter Target is worth a look for archers that want to pick up a 3D bear target on a budget.
It’s not as large a a full sized 3D bear target, buts it’s a good size for backyards and smaller pieces of land. It comes with ground stakes so you’re ready to set up right out of the box.
Other 3D Animal Targets
While deer and bears may make up the majority of 3D archery targets out there, there are tons of other 3D animal targets available. There are 3D archery targets of almost any animal that you can think of, and then some. There are even 3D archery dinosaur and Sasquatch targets for sale.
That’s one thing that I personally love about 3D archery, as I’m not really interested in the deer targets at all. I find all of the other types of 3D archery targets far more fun to shoot.
Here are some of the best 3D archery targets in the “other animals” category…
3D Boar Targets
Delta McKenzie Wild Boar
This aggressive, snarling wild boar looks ready to charge any archer on your 3D range. A great design with the quality we’ve come to expect from Delta McKenzie. It has scoring lines that are clearly visible, and is made from durable self closing foam.
Rinehart Peccary Boar IBO 3D Target
Another 3D Target with the IBO scoring rings, it’s made from easy pull polyfoam. This target is pretty lightweight as far as 3D targets go, it weighs just 40 pounds.
A Cost Effective Option:
Another great 3D target at an affordable price is Rinehart’s Woodland Boar 3D Target. It’s pretty rare that you see such an affordable 3D target – that’s made by a quality manufacturer like Rinehart. It’s even built to be used with both compound bows and crossbows. Has a self healing insert with easy arrow removal.
3D Coyote Targets
Rinehart IBO Coyote 3D Target
Made specifically for use in IBO tournaments, this coyote target has the IBO style scoring rings. It’s made from easy pull polyfoam for easy arrow removal. This snarling coyote is a great addition to any 3D range, another quality target from Rinehart.
Delta Howling Coyote
An absolutely great choice for an affordable 3D target, the Delta Howling Coyote is an awesome target for a low price. Because this is a lower cost target, I can’t say for sure how long this target will hold up to the weather.
Another possible drawback to this target is that it doesn’t seem to have a replaceable vital area, at least not as far as I know of. It might be bit of a gamble as to how long this target will last to frequent use.
It’s affordable price does offset that a bit, and it just looks so cool. If you’re looking for a cool 3D target on a budget, this might just be the one for you.
Other 3D Targets
Rinehart Woodland Strutting Turkey Target
My favorite 3D turkey target is the Rinehart Woodland Strutting Turkey. It looks great and has locking inserts, making it easy to replace the vital area insert when you need to. It’s made from Rinehart’s own self healing foam, which is made to take arrow after arrow with minimal damage to the target over time.
This target withstands harsh weather, as Rinehart claims that this target is “virtually weatherproof”. Plus, it’s made in the USA, and Rinehart are well known for the quality of their 3D targets.
Muskrat, Prairie Dog and Rabbit 3D Targets Collection
Field Logic came out with a great set of targets for any 3D archer, this collection of three different 3D targets gives you versatility – and is really affordable considering what you get for the money.
You get three targets in total: a muskrat target, a prairie dog and a rabbit target. They have small scoring rings which add to the challenge of shooting them, and the manufacturer says that they can handle shots from bows up to 70 pounds.
These are a great addition to any 3D range. They’re small so they’re ideal for backyard and indoor 3D ranges too. They’re made in the USA and come with ground stakes, ready to shoot right out of the box.
Delta McKenzie Back yd 3D Woodchuck Target
A fun little target for any 3D range, Delta-McKenzie’s Backyard Woodchuck is perfect for backyard, indoor and large 3D archery ranges alike. The price makes it an affordable 3D target for any archer, and you’re still getting a quality Delta-McKenzie target at a low price. It has IBO scoring rings and is made in the USA.
Delta McKenzie 3D Fox Backyard Target
Another fun and affordable target is Delta-McKenzie’s 3D Fox Backyard Target. It’s a small enough target for backyard and indoor ranges, but would also make a great addition to any size 3D range.
Made with durable flex foam construction, it also has easy arrow removal. This is another one that will give you the most target for your money.
Delta McKenzie Backyard Rabbit 3D Target
A great little target for anyone’s range is the Backyard 3D Rabbit for Delta McKenzie. This target is a great way to add even more variety to your 3D shooting at home or on a professional 3D range. It has a replaceable core that boasts easy arrow removal, and it features IBO scoring rings.
The Delta McKenzie Porcupine is another affordable backyard target that’s made from high-density foam. This target gives you a great blend of both durability and affordability, it’s a target that really gives you more target at a reasonable price.
So there you have it, that’s my break down of the best 3D targets out there for the money. I wanted to only list the 3D archery targets that really give you the most ‘bang for your buck’.
There are lots more 3D archery targets on the market today then there were just a few years ago. With so many 3D targets out there, it’s important to only buy quality 3D targets. There are a lot of targets that may seem like they’re a great deal, but do your due diligence before you buy.
A little bit of research can go a long way, especially when it comes to 3D targets. I’ve heard a lot of stories about 3D targets that seemed like good deals, but ended up falling apart in no time.
Whatever 3D target or targets you do end up buying, have fun with it and treat it well. If you follow the maintenance and care tips listed above, any high quality 3D archery targets should give you years of trouble free shooting.
Good luck in your search for the right 3D target for you, and keep in mind, once you’ve bought your first 3D target – you’re eventually going to want more of them! 3D archery is addicting, so is building up your own personal collection of 3D targets.
Now get out there and get shooting!