Hay bale as back-stop

[RGrahamSmith]

How NOT to use a hay bale!

I have a big plot of land in rural France, and the grass had been mowed by the local farmer. Afterwards, I was setting up to do a bit of archery practice, and as there was an enormous circular hay-bale sitting there, I thought that would be a great place to site the target boss. Just in case, you know.... Well, when you're just setting up a sight, there can be mishaps, and grass is a great place for arrows to go bye-byes. Well, the first set I shot seemed quite good, but when I went up to the target I found not six but five arrows. I knew I hadn't missed by that much, so where was the sixth? I hunted round for a bit, then realised what had happened. The arrow was INSIDE the bale. Why? Because I, prat as I am, had positioned the target so it was against the circular face of the bale, so there was little resistance given to the arrow. Moral: if you're using a hay-bale as a back-stop, position it edgeways on! That'll stop 'em!

PS. The farmer collected the bale a few days later to take to his farm, presumably for the cows. D'you think I ought to have said something about its contents.....?

Graham

[FlourPower]

Oui, Oui! Tell the farmer just so you wont hurt le vache!

[Furface]

Originally Posted by FlourPower

Oui, Oui! Tell the farmer just so you wont hurt le vache!

..because, if you do she will look like our own dear Moo! (See AIUK banner for reference)
And, seriously, yes for just the same reason.

[Alexam]

Hi Graham,

I noticed your earlier messages and related to you somewhat, as I am new to archery, having only had my third lesson at beginners course, and gaining a few years on you already!

I do not have any equipment as yet, but am dagging to get my hands on my own set-up, but keep reading about 'waiting until after the course' and then taking advice!!

When the ££ are not a major concern, having understood that I will have to reduce my pension accordingly, then the temptation is to get stuck in and buy 'all the goodies', but I will wait a while and look to getting set up in a few weeks time...... always looking for advice on a good quality set-up that could be sold on if needed alter on.

I have been thinking about targets in particular, for regular practice with a view to improvement more quickly than the coach indicates.

I have a home where in a side entry, I can use a distance of some 30-40 ft to shoot through a door into a detached double garage so that a target would be positiioned at the far side, with suitable protection behind it.

My thoughts have been that a suitably sized Boss could be suspended from the rafters of the garage, say on a set of 2Ft ropes, rather that stationary on a set base. Thinking that on this basis, the arrow impact would be reduced at impact because it was suspended rather than fixed?.

I may be talking a load of cr**, but it might soften the blow somewhat and I wonder if any other of the fraternity have had experiance of this and if it actually works??

Wishing you all the best in France during your retirement....... I should have packed up a couple of years ago, but am still working flat out and enjoying what I do.

The recent interest in archery is to bring me in to retirement in the next year or so, with an interest in which I can compete and win, as well as participate throughout the year. rather than my dry weather golf in the summer months!

Have some .... but if only they had a Smile for wine instead of beer.... it might just raise the level a little!!!!

All the best

Malcolm

[bimble]

Talk about looking for a needle in a haystack......

[grimsby archer]

Originally Posted by Alexam

I have a home where in a side entry, I can use a distance of some 30-40 ft to shoot through a door into a detached double garage so that a target would be positiioned at the far side, with suitable protection behind it.

suitable protection behind it? why? are you likely to miss at 30-40 ft?

Originally Posted by Alexam

My thoughts have been that a suitably sized Boss could be suspended from the rafters of the garage, say on a set of 2Ft ropes, rather that stationary on a set base.

ever tried hitting a moving target? swing, swing, swing.

[Alexam]

No, not swing from side to side!

I know it may be difficult, but the directon would be 'forward and back! The protection behing was in case my poweful shot past through the target.

At that length of rope, the movement would be only minor. but may help to reduce the penetration.

Hope this has penetrated !!!

[speed]

Originally Posted by RGrahamSmith

How NOT to use a hay bale!

I have a big plot of land in rural France, and the grass had been mowed by the local farmer. Afterwards, I was setting up to do a bit of archery practice, and as there was an enormous circular hay-bale sitting there, I thought that would be a great place to site the target boss. Just in case, you know.... Well, when you're just setting up a sight, there can be mishaps, and grass is a great place for arrows to go bye-byes. Well, the first set I shot seemed quite good, but when I went up to the target I found not six but five arrows. I knew I hadn't missed by that much, so where was the sixth? I hunted round for a bit, then realised what had happened. The arrow was INSIDE the bale. Why? Because I, prat as I am, had positioned the target so it was against the circular face of the bale, so there was little resistance given to the arrow. Moral: if you're using a hay-bale as a back-stop, position it edgeways on! That'll stop 'em!

PS. The farmer collected the bale a few days later to take to his farm, presumably for the cows. D'you think I ought to have said something about its contents.....?

Graham

My humble opinion ask for help in looking for your lost arrow a few local girls should do nicely and of course you have a lot of difficulty remembering which hay bale it was excatly so you will unfortunatly just have to romp around them all, all day long.

If you take my advice enjoy looking for the arrow and remember consistency and repetition is essential for a succesful archer.

[RGrahamSmith]

The stupid thing is, I distinctly remember reading somewhere on the 'net about using a haybale as a backstop, and how to position it - before this happened! Why didn't I think?
Actually, don't worry about the dear petite vaches, when the hay is used, the bale is broken up, garlic is added and it's put in a big galvanised steel feeding thingie, so I think a black rod with day-glo red and yellow vanes would be noticed. In any case, French cows, like their owners, will eat pretty much anything (in a suitable sauce).
Anyway, can you imagine the conversation?.....
Me (in French) : Um... there's an arrow in the hay...
Fermier: M'sieur?
Me: An arrow... in this hay...
Fermier: We have no bacon, m'sieur... [there's a similar word, of course...]
Me: No, no, no. Really. Arrow. Twang! Swish! Thwack! Arrow!
Fermier: (Remove beret. Scratch head).... If m'sieur says so... [mutters] Stupid Anglais!

Hah!

Graham

PS You haven't seen the local girls. Most are farmers' daughters and adapted for the climate and country work. I.e. like Russian shot-put olympians.

[Longbow_Gold]

Sacre Bleu.... it looks like there's the cows will have a strange taste in their coisant lol

There's one good thing about this, at least that this is something that anyone who is new to archery, will be able to take note of other people's mishaps andmake a note to avoid doing the same thing, I would've imagined though that if a hay bale was wrapped on the outside, then it would offer reasonable resistence to arrows, but I guess it depends on the baler used by the farmer

Willie