Create Safe and Fun Shooting Ranges

Target shooting is a fun game. However, finding fun and safe targets can be hard. Pre-printed targets available at locations that sell shooting supplies are costly. It is easy to make fun, interesting and secure targets at home. Various colours of markers can be used to include scenery if desired. Use black or red crosshair shapes to indicate the bull’s eye on every target.

Butcher Paper Targets

Rolls of butcher paper are inexpensive. It is the best size for creating larger silhouette style goals. Cut off a piece of butcher paper to the size required. Use permanent markers to draw whatever contours are needed on the targets. Hunters may make a custom template of game animals to make it effortless to replicate the patterns on the paper. If children will be shooting the goals, let them make their own.

Plastic Jug Targets

Plastic milk jugs make great animated targets. Make certain the target range enables them to be utilized. Simply fill some empty milk jugs with water and some food colouring. Every hit provides instant feedback. Low speed ammunition such as.22 Long Rifle pokes holes in the jugs which makes them flow. High velocity rifle cartridges blow the jugs apart into a spray of coloured water. Simply shoot animated objects from a safe distance to avoid being struck with water or flying pieces of plastic in the milk jugs. Never use glass jars or jugs as goals under any conditions.

Veggie Targets

Local farms which grow melons or pumpkins frequently have many that cannot be sold. Pumpkins and watermelons make excellent targets for higher velocity ammunition. The kinetic energy from a high velocity rifle or handgun cartridge can make a mess of those targets. Make certain to stay far enough back to prevent the spray out of them.

Balloon Targets

These are fun, cheap and provide immediate feedback on Riga shooting range when a hit is scored.  It is similar to arcade shooting and really easy to prepare. Use a hand pump to save having to use lung ability to inflate a bag of multi-colour balloons to various diameters. Inflate some all the way and others a little. Tie a knot in the opening of each balloon.

Use a staple gun or thumbtacks to hold the balloons on a target board. Make certain to only pierce the tail of this knot in the balloon. Decide on a point score for each size or colour of balloon, and let the competition begin. Latex is not biodegradable so make certain to wash up before leaving the range.