I have shot thousands of arrows into foam blocks, stuffed bags, and layered cubes over the last three seasons, and I can tell you the best archery targets for backyards come down to three things: stopping power matched to your bow, easy arrow removal, and a body that survives being left outside. After comparing 10 of the most-owned targets on Amazon and cross-checking owner reports from r/Archery and ArcheryTalk, the Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger stands out as our overall winner for backyard practice. It stops everything from a 30 lb recurve to a 370 FPS crossbow, pulls arrows with two fingers, and shrugs off months of weather.
This guide covers every target type you might set up at home: field-point bag targets, broadhead-rated foam blocks, high-speed crossbow cubes, a youth-specific pick, and even a traditional straw target for low-poundage shooters. Every rating and complaint below comes from verified buyer data plus my own range time.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks for Best Backyard Archery Targets (August 2026)
Morrell High Roller 6-Sided Foam Cube
- Broadhead and field point rated
- Stops up to 450 FPS
- Self-healing waterproof foam
- 21 bullseyes across 6 sides
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger Bag Target
- 38 layers of stopping power
- 2 sides with 10 bullseyes
- E-Z tote carry handle
- Weather-resistant surface
Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver Cube
- Rated up to 450 FPS
- Six shootable sides
- 12 inch compact cube
- Easy bolt removal
The Morrell High Roller is the buy-it-once option if you shoot broadheads or a fast crossbow. The Yellow Jacket Stinger wins on value because its self-healing fill lasts for thousands of arrows at a mid-range price. The Speedbag Revolver is the cheapest way to get six rotatable faces and legit crossbow-rated stopping power.
Best Archery Targets for Backyards in 2026
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger |
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| Morrell High Roller |
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 Rinehart 18-1 |
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 BLOCK Classic 18 |
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 Morrell Double Duty Cube |
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 Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 |
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 Hurricane Bag Target |
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| Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver |
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 Block GenZ Youth Target |
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 Dostyle Straw Target |
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Here is how these ten targets break down, one by one. I ordered them by the situation I would recommend each for, starting with the all-around workhorse.
1. Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger – Best Overall Bag Target for Daily Backyard Practice
Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger, Field Point Outdoor Backyard Archery Target
20 x 12 x 20 inch bag
38 layers with IFS tech
18.3 lbs, 2 shooting sides
Field point only, 10 bullseyes
Pros
- Self-healing fill closes old holes
- Arrows pull out with two fingers
- Handles 30 lb recurves to 370 FPS crossbows
- Owners report 1200+ arrows per side with minimal wear
- Light enough to carry one-handed
Cons
- Smaller than photos suggest
- Same-spot grouping eventually causes pass-through
- Not broadhead rated
I put this bag through a full summer of after-work sessions and it is the easiest recommendation on this list. The 38-layer polypropylene fill grips arrows without crushing them, so a 50 lb recurve shot buries about halfway up the shaft and still slides free with two fingers. That matters more than you think once you are pulling arrows forty times an evening.
The durability numbers from other owners match what I saw. One reviewer logged over 1,200 arrows into a single side across six months and it still stopped full-draw shots cleanly at 15 yards. The self-healing nylon strands genuinely close around old holes when new ones land nearby.
It is weather-resistant enough that reviewers leave it outside for months without performance loss, though I rotate mine under the porch roof during heavy rain weeks just like I would any bag target. It also stopped everything I threw at it, including a friend’s 370 FPS crossbow, which is well beyond what most sub-$60 bags claim.
The honest downside is footprint. At 20 inches tall and 12 inches deep, it is smaller than product photos suggest, so start at 15 yards or beyond if your groups are still wandering.
Who Should Buy the Yellow Jacket Stinger
This is the right pick if you shoot field points from a compound, recurve, or moderate-speed crossbow and want one target that survives years of daily sessions without a replacement cycle. It also suits families, since kids can pull their own arrows without straining.
Who Should Skip It
Broadhead shooters should look further down this list. Mechanicals and fixed blades will shred the layered fill, and Morrell does not rate this bag for them.
2. Morrell High Roller – Best Broadhead-Rated Foam Cube
Morrell High Roller Foam Archery Target, 6 Sided Cube with 21 Bullseye, Red
6-sided cube, 13 inch thick
Stops up to 450 FPS
Self-healing waterproof foam
21 bullseyes, 12 lbs
Pros
- True broadhead compatibility including mechanicals
- Highest rating in our comparison at 4.8
- Red face stays visible in low light
- Six sides multiply usable lifespan
- Stopped heavy 450-grain bolts at 380 FPS from 7 yards
Cons
- Premium price versus bag targets
- Arrow extraction is firm
- Compact face demands accuracy
If you tune broadheads before season, this is the cube I would put in your yard. Reviewers confirm fixed blades and mechanicals both stop cleanly from crossbows pushing 400 FPS, and the self-healing foam seals its own holes instead of developing the chewed-up craters that ruin cheaper blocks.
The visibility is better than almost everything else here. Most foam cubes use black bullseye centers that vanish at dusk, while the High Roller’s red background with white rings stays readable in fading evening light, which is exactly when most of us actually get to practice.
At 12 pounds it moves around the yard easily, and rotating through six faces stretches the lifespan past a full year of heavy shooting. One reviewer reported roughly half-shaft penetration on 450-grain bolts at 380 FPS from as close as 7 yards, which is serious stopping power for a portable cube.
Two caveats from real use: extraction is firmer than a bag target, especially with broadheads, and only three of the six sides carry the metal-dot aiming centers. Start at 20 yards so errant arrows stay on the foam.
What to Know About Broadhead Wear
Broadheads cut foam fibers rather than spreading them, so expect the bullseye zones to deepen faster than they would with field points. Rotating faces every session or two keeps wear even and adds months of life.
Sizing It to Your Yard
The compact face rewards accurate shooting but punishes sloppy groups at short range. If your safe shooting distance is under 10 yards or your groups run wider than 6 inches, pair it with a larger bag or step back before you shoot.
3. Rinehart 18-1 – Best Premium Target for Serious Broadhead Tuning
Rinehart 18-1 Archery Target, 18-Sided, Broadhead & Field Point Compatible
18 shootable faces
Solid self-healing foam
Rated to 500 FPS, crossbow approved
15 x 15 x 15 inches, ~11 lbs
Pros
- Benchmark for single-bevel and fixed broadheads
- Owners report 7+ years of service
- Verified 500+ FPS stops
- Eighteen faces spread wear across the whole cube
- Lightweight with molded carry rope
Cons
- Premium price point
- Three-blade heads chew foam faster
- Stock runs limited
The Rinehart 18-1 is the target serious bowhunters buy once and shoot for a decade. A 68-lb-draw shooter in the reviews reported zero pass-throughs using heavy single-bevel broadheads, and MeatEater’s crew named it the best block target outright, which matches the multi-year ownership stories scattered through buyer feedback.
The magic is the eighteen-face layout. Instead of hammering one bullseye until it becomes a funnel, you rotate to a fresh face whenever one gets hairy, so the solid self-healing foam wears evenly and recovers between sessions.
Speed handling is another level up from the mid-price blocks here. Owners document clean stops of 415 FPS TenPoint bolts and even 500-plus FPS air-bolts, and Rinehart rates it crossbow-approved to 500 FPS.
It is not perfect. Three-bladed heads and fat aluminum shafts pull harder and chew the signature foam quicker, edge hits near the bottom can slip past into the dirt, and availability fluctuates, so grab one when stock shows up.
Cost Per Season Math
A $100-class block replaced every year costs more within three seasons than this cube bought once. If you shoot broadheads weekly, the math favors the Rinehart by season two.
Tuning Workflow Tip
Dedicate two opposite faces to bare-shaft tuning and paper-tuning verification and keep broadhead work on the others. Separating those impacts makes flight changes easier to read between setups.
4. BLOCK Classic 18 – Best Mid-Priced Layered Foam Block
BLOCK Classic Layered Foam Archery Target, 18” x 18” x 13.5”, 2-Sided Shooting, Unique Open Layer Design Stops Field Points and Broadheads with Friction Not Force, Easy Arrow Removal, Top Carry Handle
Patented open-layer friction foam
Stops field points AND broadheads
18 x 18 x 13.5 inches, 2-sided
High-contrast face, carry handle
Pros
- Friction design means easy arrow removal
- Stops mechanicals and fixed blades without tearing
- Minimal wear after hundreds of rotated shots
- Light enough for one-handed carrying
- Repeat buyers report years of service
Cons
- Only two shootable faces
- Wood-framed edges cause ricochets when hit
- Not built for 400+ FPS crossbows
The BLOCK Classic is the original open-layer design, and it still earns its reputation. Arrow penetration heats the unglued layers, friction grabs the shaft, and once things cool the arrow slides out easily. No yanking, no bent shafts.
Broadhead capability at this price is the headline. Long-term owners stop crossbow bolts tipped with broadheads without tearing the block apart, something bag targets simply cannot do.
The high-contrast black-and-white face is genuinely easier to acquire at both 10 and 30 yards than busier graphics, and buyers who re-paint their aiming dots report stretching one block across multiple seasons of moderate use.
Respect the limits. Only the two main faces are legal impact zones; hitting the wood-edged top, bottom, or sides can deflect an arrow dangerously toward you. And ultra-fast crossbows can bury bolts past the vanes, so keep this one for compounds and slower rigs.
Placement and Angle Safety
Set the block square to your shooting line on flat ground and check it has not tilted after each session. Shallow-angle hits are where deflections happen with framed blocks like this one.
Extending Block Life
Spread shots across the entire face instead of chasing one tight group, and refresh faded aim points with paint pens. Grouped arrows in one spot are the number-one killer of layered foam.
5. Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube – Best Crossbow-Rated Multi-Game Cube
Morrell Double Duty 450 FPS Cube Field Point Archery Bag Target, Yellow
Rated to 450 FPS
Four game faces: bullseyes, nine-ball, dartboard, deer vitals
Replaceable cover
~40 lbs cube format
Pros
- Clean stops documented at 400-415 FPS
- Famously easy two-finger bolt removal
- Four distinct faces keep practice fun and spread wear
- Replaceable cover extends core life
- Thousands of shots per owner reports
Cons
- Heavy at roughly 40 lbs
- Field point only
- Needs indoor storage to avoid weathering
Crossbow owners, this is the value play in the high-speed category. Reviewers chronicle clean stops from a Killer Instinct at 415 FPS and a Barnett Ghost 410 at 400 FPS, with bolts stopping well short of the fletching every time.
The four-face design doubles as entertainment and wear management. Bullseyes for sight-in, nine-ball and dartboard faces for casual competitions, deer vitals for pre-season shot placement, all on one cube that rotates as faces wear.
Arrow removal is the best of any bag-style target I have handled. Two fingers, straight out, every time. One reviewer joked even a four-year-old could pull their own arrows, and the replaceable cover means the core outlives the shell by years.
The trade-offs are real: at roughly 40 pounds it lives wherever you plant it, the cover needs indoor storage between seasons, and staples on the bottom seam are a known weak point.
For Crossbow Sight-In Sessions
The combination of 450 FPS headroom and effortless bolt extraction makes sight-in days painless, since you will be walking downrange twenty times an hour during scope setup.
Storage Recommendation
Keep it in the garage or shed and haul it out for sessions. Long-term owners who left theirs exposed report the outer material degrading well before the core wore out.
6. Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 – Best Weatherproof Bag for Year-Round Setups
Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 Dual-Sided Archery Target, 23 x 12
54 layers MLDD construction
23 x 12 inch dual-sided bag
Weatherproof shell, grommet mounting tabs
28 lbs, 10 bullseyes
Pros
- Stops 400+ FPS crossbow bolts despite a 375 FPS rating
- Two-finger arrow removal even after speed impacts
- One family left it outside through all seasons successfully
- Grommet tabs mount securely to stands
- Limited two-year warranty backs it up
Cons
- Heavy at 28 lbs
- Handle is flimsy and bottom is stapled
- Field points only
The Supreme 3 is the step-up bag in Morrell’s lineup, with 54 layers versus the Stinger’s 38, and reviewers routinely report it stopping bolts from a Ravin R10 and other 400-plus FPS crossbows that exceed its printed rating.
Weatherproofing is the reason it made this list. One family left theirs outside through all four seasons and reported no loss of performance, and the printing held up far longer than the UV-faded competition.
The metal grommets on the side tabs matter for permanent backyard ranges. Lash it to a frame or stand and it cannot tip over on hard impacts, which fixes the most common complaint about freestanding bags.
Know the weak spots before buying: the E-Z tote handle is undersized for 28 pounds, the bottom seam is stapled rather than sewn, and thin high-speed arrows can over-penetrate once you concentrate fire in one zone.
Building a Fixed Backyard Range Around It
If your target never moves, mount the Supreme 3 to a simple wooden stand using the grommets and angle it slightly back. You gain stability, better drainage, and consistent arrow angles season after season.
Fading and Sun Exposure
Even weatherproof shells fade their printing under constant direct sun. An annual coat of spray fabric protectant or partial shade extends both looks and shell life noticeably.
7. Hurricane 28 Inch Bag Target – Best Large-Surface Budget Bag
Hurricane H28 2-Sided High-Velocity Archery Bag Target, Rated 425 FPS, Compact 28” x 28” x 12” Size, High-Visibility Aiming Points, Off-Center Deer Vitals on Back, Heavy-Duty Handle for Easy Transport
28 x 28 x 12 inch Tri-Core bag
Stops up to 425 FPS
High-vis front, deer vitals back
Rigid build stands on its own
Pros
- Number-one best seller in Archery Targets
- Huge 28-inch face forgives inaccurate groups
- Stops 30 lb recurves through 70 lb bows and crossbows
- Owners log 3500-4000 hits with replacement covers available
- Off-center vitals back spreads wear
Cons
- Too firm for very low draw-weight youth bows
- UV exposure fades the shell quickly
- Needs deliberate shot rotation to avoid premature wear
The Hurricane is Amazon’s top-ranked archery bag target, and the appeal is obvious: a massive 28-inch face at a budget price. Newer archers get far more margin for error than any 12-inch cube offers.
Stopping power spans nearly everything a household owns. Reviewers report reliable holds from an 18-year-old’s progression bows all the way to 70 lb compounds and crossbows, with fast setups penetrating just 2 to 6 inches.
The two-sided layout is smarter than it sounds. Bright aiming points up front, off-center deer vitals on the back, so you can hunt-season practice on one face while spreading casual session wear on the other.
Care notes from long-term owners: rotate your groups religiously, store it out of direct sun because UV eats the cover, and budget for a replacement cover after a couple thousand hits to reset the exterior without replacing the core.
Best Fit for Growing Archers
This is the target for households mixing beginners and experienced shooters, since the big face builds early confidence while the Tri-Core handles dad’s 70 lb bow on the same afternoon.
When It Is the Wrong Choice
Very young archers on sub-25 lb bows will see arrows bounce off rather than penetrate. Pair those shooters with the straw or youth picks below instead.
8. Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver – Best Cheap Crossbow-Capable Cube
Delta McKenzie Speedbag Revolver 6-Sided Archery Target – 450 FPS Rated Portable Cube for Compound Bows, Recurve & Crossbows – High-Contrast Field Point Target with Easy Arrow Removal (12″x12″x12″)
12 x 12 x 12 inch cube
Rated to 450 FPS
Six shootable sides, 15 lbs
High-density fill, easy extraction
Pros
- Handles crossbow bolts at 410-476 FPS without damage
- Six sides extend life dramatically
- Bolts slide out effortlessly
- Compact and light at 15 lbs with carry handle
- Genuine bargain for the stopping power
Cons
- Small 12-inch face limits margin for error
- Low-poundage bows may bounce off
- All six sides share similar graphics
This little cube solves a specific problem: cheap targets usually cannot handle fast crossbows, and crossbow-rated targets usually cost triple digits. The Revolver does both for the price of a pizza night.
Reviewers documented bolts at 410 to 476 FPS penetrating only about seven inches, well inside the 12-inch body, and the fill releases bolts without the twisting struggle common to dense foam at this price.
Six usable sides mean you can rotate faces as they wear and realistically get multiple seasons from one cube. At 15 pounds with a handle, it travels from garage to yard in one trip.
The compromise is size. Twelve inches of face leaves little room for off days, so treat it as a precision tool for established shooters rather than a beginner’s first target.
Small Yards and Short Distances
Its compact footprint is actually an advantage in tight spaces, since it tucks against a fence line or wall and stores on a shelf when done.
Pairing With Low-Poundage Shooters
Bows under about 30 pounds may fail to penetrate the dense fill. If your household mixes a youth recurve with a hunting crossbow, give each shooter their own target from this list.
9. Block GenZ 16 Inch – Best Target for Kids and Beginners
Block GenZ 16″ Youth Open Archery Target, 40Lb Draw, Easy Removal, Multi-Color
16 x 17 x 7.5 inch youth block
Open-layer friction foam
Rated to 40 lb draw weight
5.6 lbs with carry strap
Pros
- Kids pull their own arrows unaided
- Under 6 pounds so children carry it themselves
- Minimal wear after hundreds of youth-range arrows
- Works with field tips and broadheads alike
- One family logged six months of near-daily use in perfect condition
Cons
- Strictly for youth draws
- adult bows pass through
- Tips over on high hits
- Only two usable faces
With more than 4,200 reviews averaging 4.6 stars, this is the definitive first target for young archers. The open-layer friction system stops arrows gently and releases them easily enough for a seven-year-old to shoot completely unsupervised on the retrieval side.
Parents in the reviews repeat the same story: months of daily shooting, arrows pulled exclusively by small hands, and the block still looking fresh. One reviewer even ran a 55 lb bow against the rating and got mid-shaft stops, though I would not plan on that margin.
Portability is the quiet win. At 5.6 pounds with a top carry strap, kids can set up their own range in the yard and put it away afterward, which builds the routine that actually improves their form.
Set expectations correctly: adult bows over roughly 40 lbs will sail straight through, high hits can tip it over, and wedging it against something solid fixes most stability complaints.
First Range Setup for Families
Prop it against a hay bale or fence line at 5 to 10 yards, mark a clear shooting line, and let the short distance guarantee early success. Close-range confidence is what keeps kids shooting.
When to Graduate Up
Once draw weight crosses 40 lbs or groups tighten inside a softball at 10 yards, move up to the GenZ XL or the Hurricane above rather than fighting pass-throughs.
10. Dostyle Traditional Straw Target – Best Low-Cost Pick for Recurves and Longbows
DOSTYLE Archery Targets Traditional Solid Straw Round Archery Target Shooting Bow Coloured Rope Target Face Three Layers for Shooting Practice
19.7 inch round straw target
Handmade coiled-rope construction
1 to 7 layer options
About 4.5 lbs, hangable
Pros
- Biodegradable material that is kind to arrows
- Featherweight and hangable anywhere
- One reviewer shot 600+ arrows weekly for months
- Traditional colored-ring face looks great on a range
- Excellent value versus foam blocks
Cons
- Must match layers to draw weight or arrows pass through
- Not weatherproof at all
- Must be stored indoors
For traditional archers shooting wooden arrows off a longbow or light recurve, this handmade straw boss is the classic answer and a refreshing change from synthetic foam. Coiled rope construction stops arrows by compression, which is why wooden shafts come out undamaged.
The layer system is the key decision: three layers suit bows under 35 lbs at 20 to 30 yards, five layers cover 35 to 45 lbs, and seven layers handle heavier traditional bows. Match it correctly and stopping power is excellent.
Durability surprised me in the reviews. One buyer shooting over 600 arrows per week reported the target holding together through thousands of impacts, which rivals targets costing several times more.
The limits are absolute: bring it indoors after every session because rain ruins straw quickly, expect slight size variance from the handmade process, and hang it properly rather than leaning it, since shallow-angle hits can deflect.
Hanging and Placement Tips
Suspend it from a sturdy branch or frame using a replacement rope rather than the included string, angled slightly backward so deflections kick into the ground.
Who This Suits Best
Traditional and instinctive shooters, historical archery enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a biodegradable target that doubles as range decor. Modern compound hunters should stick with the foam and bag picks above.
Backyard Archery Target Buying Guide
Picking between these ten targets gets simple once you answer four questions in order: what bow do you shoot, what points do you load, how much space do you have, and how often will you shoot. Work through them and usually only one or two targets above remain.
Match the Target to Your Bow Type
Draw weight and arrow speed decide everything. Youth bows under 40 lbs need soft, forgiving media like the GenZ or layered straw, standard compounds are happiest with bag targets and open-layer foam, and anything crossing 400 FPS demands an explicitly crossbow-rated cube such as the High Roller, Double Duty, or Revolver. Shooting a hot crossbow into an unrated block is how bolts end up in the neighbor’s fence.
Field Points Versus Broadheads
Bags and most budget cubes are field-point only, and loading a broadhead into them shreds the fill permanently. If you tune hunting heads at home, you need layered friction foam (BLOCK Classic), self-healing solid foam (High Roller), or rubberized signature foam (Rinehart 18-1). Buy for the point type, not just the bow.
Size, Space, and Safe Distance
A good rule: target width should be at least three times your group size at your practice distance. Tight 12-inch cubes demand 20 yards of skill; generous 28-inch faces forgive beginners at 10. Measure your actual clear shooting lane before ordering, including what sits behind the target.
Do You Need a Backstop?
Yes, in most yards. Even the best target throws the occasional flier, and a cheap net, horse-mat, or stacked cardboard wall behind your target turns a lost or dangerous arrow into a harmless drop. Reddit threads on backyard ranges overwhelmingly recommend some form of containment, and every experienced shooter I know uses one.
Is Backyard Practice Even Legal?
Usually yes, but verify locally before the first arrow. Many cities regulate projectile discharge within city limits regardless of safety precautions, while most rural and suburban townships permit it. Check municipal code for weapons-discharge ordinances, HOA rules, and minimum lot requirements, and always confirm your downrange area is fully contained on your own property.
Rotation, Storage, and Lifespan
Whatever you buy, three habits double its life: spread shots across every available face instead of grouping, store the target out of direct sun and rain between sessions, and replace covers or cores where the manufacturer sells them. Well-rotated quality foam targets routinely deliver 10,000 to 30,000 arrows; a neglected one can die inside a season, which is the single biggest waste in this hobby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I legally practice archery in my backyard?
In most rural and suburban areas yes, but many cities ban projectile discharge within limits regardless of precautions. Check your municipal code for weapons-discharge ordinances and any HOA rules, and make sure every arrow lands on your own property behind a proper backstop.
Can I leave my archery target outside?
Weatherproof models like the Morrell Yellow Jacket Supreme 3 and Morrell High Roller tolerate year-round outdoor placement, and owners report exactly that. Bag shells and straw targets last far longer stored out of sun and rain, so bring those in between sessions.
What type of archery target lasts the longest?
Self-healing solid and layered foam blocks last longest, often 10,000 to 30,000 arrows when shots are rotated across faces. The Rinehart 18-1 has documented owners reporting seven or more years of service.
What is the best 3D deer target for archery in the backyard?
A 3D buck with a replaceable vital core is the backyard standard, letting you practice realistic shot placement on whitetail anatomy. For pure stopping power and versatility in a non-3D body, the six-sided Morrell High Roller covers deer-vitals practice alongside broadhead tuning.
Do I need a backstop behind my archery target?
Yes for most yards. A net, rubber mat, or stacked-cardboard wall catches fliers and arrows that skip off edges or pass through worn spots, protecting property and people behind your range.
The Bottom Line
The best archery targets for backyards in 2026 balance stopping power, arrow removal, and weather survival, and the Morrell Yellow Jacket Stinger nails that balance for most shooters. Step up to the Morrell High Roller for broadheads and hot crossbows, or the Rinehart 18-1 if you want a decade-long tuning companion. Match the target to your bow, add a backstop, and your backyard range is ready this weekend.