Best 3D Archery Target

Looking to take your archery practice to the next level?

We’ve reviewed some of the best 3D archery targets currently available, helping hunters to feel ready for those crucial moments and increase your confidence when it comes to real-life situations.

3D Targets Best Prepare You For Your Next Hunt

Nothing prepares you for hunting like the realism of using the very best 3D archery target. These life-sized animal targets help you to progress your skills as a shooter and make the most out of your archery practice.

Practicing with animal targets will not only help to improve your accuracy with bows or crossbows but also makes your shooting even more enjoyable.

Using these targets will create an entirely different archery experience as opposed to using regular bags or foam targets, giving more room for you to perfect your aim and shoot your shot from any angle you choose.

However, 3D archery targets can vary greatly in both price and quality, and with such a wide selection of 3D targets on the market, how do you choose the best one for your shooting practice?

We’ve reviewed five of these innovative archery targets to help you make the most informed decision to suit your shooting needs. With a 3D target, you’ll soon be able to immerse yourself in a lifelike hunting experience.

Best 3D Archery Target Comparing

Image	Product	Feature	Price
OUR TOP PICK	CW-X Delta McKenzie 3D Raccoon Backyard Target	FlexFoam construction Easy arrow removal Scoring rings	Check Price On Amazon
EDITORS CHOICE	Field Logic GlenDel Pre-Rut Buck 3D Archery	Life-size deer target. 4-Sided Replaceable Insert Core Polyfusion Technology for easy arrow removal. Works with field points, broadheads and mechanicals.	Check Price On Amazon
BEST VALUE	Delta Howling Coyote 3D Target	FlexFoam construction Life-sized Scoring rings	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	Rinehart Woodland Boar 3D Target	Built with Rinehart’s signature foam insert Can handle a variety of arrows including field points and broadheads Replaceable core Scoring rings	Check Price On Amazon
RUNNER UP	RINEHART 41611 Woodland Strutting Turkey Target, Black	Built with Rinehart’s signature self-healing foam Easy arrow removal Stops arrows and crossbow bolts Scoring rings	Check Price On Amazon

Best 3D Archery Target Buying Guide

3D Target Durability

It is important to consider the possibility of adverse weather conditions when choosing a 3D archery target. If you live in an area prone to snowy winters, it is advisable to bring your target indoors during these periods.

You can also protect your target from harsh sunlight or rainfall by placing it in a particularly shaded spot throughout the year, and some users recommend camouflaging the target with a heavy-duty or plastic tarp cover to provide extra protection.

While durability against the weather is crucial, the 3D target also needs to withstand a vast amount of shots. As many of these life-sized targets can be expensive, it would be a shame for them to suffer irreplaceable damage.

If you are investing in a 3D archery target, look for ones that offer replaceable parts for areas that will be shot at most often (sometimes known as ‘vital’ areas, as they are in place of the vital organs).

This saves you having to replace an entire target and instead gives your target a refresh after it has suffered repeated shots in the same areas.

It is also worth noting that the weight and size of your target will undoubtedly make a difference to its durability, as a target that is too light may become unstable, and will not last long in your chosen spot, making it more prone to damage.

Bow Suitability and Easy Arrow Release

The type of bow that a target can withstand differs from each product. It is worth considering your bow preference in this instance, as some 3D targets cannot handle crossbow shots, for example.

Some targets would easily handle low draw weight bows yet would be of no use with heavier compound bows. It is recommended to check the most suitable type of bow that your preferred target is meant to be shot with before you make a purchase.

Along with selecting the correct bow for your target, some 3D target archers have noted that arrows can get stuck in the targets, causing significant difficulty when it comes to retrieving them.

You should bear this in mind when choosing your 3D target, as you wouldn’t want your arrows to get damaged. Targets that release the arrows smoothly will help to prevent this and reduce the time you spend struggling to free your arrow from the target’s grip.

3D Target Maintenance

Even if you prioritize protecting your 3D target from harsh weather, your target will likely still require freshening up with a coat of paint.

Many archery 3D targets can be repainted using spray paint and a high-quality outdoor sealant. Some users use sealant prior to their first use of a new target, but it is important not to use this on removable areas of the target.

If you don’t plan on shooting your target all year-round, it is vital that the target is covered up, regardless of the weather. There are target covers made specifically for 3D targets which you may find useful, or a heavy-duty, plastic tarp cover may work just as well.

Ensuring your target is completely covered, these options should work to protect your target from any damage for an extended length of time if necessary.

Target Size

The size of your 3D target depends on the kind of practice you are hoping to achieve. As these targets represent a variety of different animals, it’s essential to consider how true to life you would like the target to be.

For example, a deer target will typically be fairly large, yet if it is too large you won’t have the most accurate practice, making a real-life situation more difficult.

It is also worth considering the size of the target with regards to the amount of practice space you have available to you, and whether it would be practical or an inconvenience.

3D Target Placement

You can’t purchase a 3D archery target without considering how much space will be available to you. If you are lucky to have a lot of land, then you will be able to shoot larger targets more easily, something that may not be possible in a small area.

It is not all bad news, however, if you only have a small backyard, as there is a vast array of smaller 3D targets available on the market.

To have the best shooting session and achieve the most out of your target practice, however, it is essential to take into account how much space you have and how far away you will be when shooting the target.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Score a 3D Archery Target?

3D archery is a fun and fast-growing sport. The scoring in 3D archery rewards consistency as well as making opportunities for strategizing risks and rewards. Shooters need to hone their equipment, shooting game, mental game, and their shooting form to score well in this form of archery.

At ASA (Archery Shooter’s Association) events, players can earn one of six different point tallies. From the top, one arrow can earn the highest score of 14. This 14 ring is located at the upper corner of the animal’s vital body part. However, this 14 is only used in Pro shootdowns when the top five players in each category compete in a shoot-off. 

For regular courses, the 14 is not in play. The highest score next to this is the 12 ring. On a usual ASA target, there will be two 12 rings, found above and below the 11 ring. The lower 12 is in play unless a player calls the upper 12. In which case, an arrow that misses the mark and hits the lower 12 is scored as 10 points.

The 10 ring encircles the 11 and 12 rings and is placed on the animal’s heart. The placement of these scoring rings on 3D targets translates very well to real-life hunting situations as they represent vital areas of an animal. Also, targets are also placed in difficult positions to provide experience for those tough shots needed during a real hunt. 

The larger part of the 3D animal that surrounds the 10 ring scores 8 points and an arrow that lands outside any of the scoring rings but hits the body is scored as five. Missing the target means zero points. 

What type of foam is used in 3D archery targets? 

The type of foam used for archery targets is important. It needs to be sturdy enough to be used over and over again so you can continue your archery practice for longer.

One of the most outstanding forms of material for 3D archery is polyethylene foam. This is because of its high weight density. It allows arrows to penetrate into the material and stick to the mark properly. It also stops the arrow from going straight through or just bouncing off. 

This foam also helps resist moisture meaning it can be used in all kinds of weather conditions. Therefore, you can practice your hunting skills in wind, rain, sun, and snow, just as you would when out in the real wilderness. 

Summary

For the complete 3D archery target experience, I think the overall winner is the GlenDel Pre-Rut Buck 3D Archery Target with the Replaceable Insert Core.

While Rinehart’s Woodland Strutting Turkey was a close second, the larger size of the GlenDel deer makes it a more exciting and fun target, with more shooting surface to give you maximum practice.

Its unique Polyfusion Technology makes it a standout amongst its competitors, with the arrow removal being the best and easiest out of the five products.

Although it is not the cheapest product, GlenDel’s 3D target is an investment, particularly if you are a frequent shooter. Its durability and replaceable core mean it will last longer, with the quality reflected in the higher price.

The deer is also incredibly true to size, which means you will get the best quality shooting practice and can be the most prepared for real-life hunting scenarios.

Best 3D Target Wrapup

If you are not too concerned about practicing on a larger 3D target, as shown there are various options available to you in different shapes and sizes. However, it is crucial to focus on the durability and ease of use with these products, as they typically do not come cheap.

3D Archery is an exciting take on shooting, and it’s likely you’ll want to keep adding to your collection of 3D targets.

So if you need to work on your technique, or simply can’t find time to go hunting real animals, hopefully, this roundup has given you an insight into the best 3D targets to fill the hunting void, and has shown you how 3D archery can give you the best archery target possible for your next shooting practice or side hunt.