Making Field Targets | AirgunGuide

This page preserves a project article from the original KermitAirgunClub.com, a Kermit, Texas airgun club site active until it went offline. It's republished here for reference. If you're the original author and would like something removed or credited differently, contact info@airgunguide.com.

After purchasing a few field targets, I realized that it would cost me a fortune to buy them all out of my own pocket, so I decided to build some from scratch.

First thing you do is decide what animals you want to make targets from. I went to my downloadable targets and printed out some of the animal targets that I would make field targets from.

Then I traced them on 3/4 plywood and cut them out with a jigsaw. Then I used a standard hole saw and put a KZ on them with a size appropriate for the animal.

Use a large washer so the wood doesn't get shot up. Most supplies can be purchased from Home Depot.

Plywood animal cutouts with large washers mounted

Here are some of the cutouts with large washers on them. I drilled two holes and countersunk them and screwed them in place. I also mounted them to the first hinge on the back side and put a stop plate on the front.

Steel stock purchased for the target paddle

I purchased this length of steel stock at a local hardware store to use for the paddle.

Steel stock cut to size with plywood paddle

Here I cut the steel stock to size and used 1/2 inch plywood for the paddle.

Two holes drilled in opposite corners of the paddle

After cutting to size, I drilled two holes in opposite corners.

Then I counter sank them with a larger drill bit.

Here is the paddle ready to be screwed on to the back hinge. You can use two screws on the back: one for a stop (lower screw) and one for the target to rest on the paddle.

Spring attached to the field target mechanism

Attach the spring and you're ready to go.

Pull string drilled through target and paddle

Don't forget a pull string. Drill through both target and paddle and use a washer behind the paddle.

Mr. Skunk, all painted up.

Two painted bird field targets ready to go

Two birds painted and ready to go.

Field target mounted on exterior wood with ground stake holes

I used exterior wood to mount them on. Make sure to have some holes to secure them to the ground so they don't move.

Ground stakes used to anchor the target stands

I bought these from Cummings Tools. They fit right into the holes and screw into the soft sand out here.

Close-up of stake fit through the target stand

Nice fit. The augers slide right through.

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