THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STRAW TARGET AND CHOOSING CORRECTLY

The choice of the right target is very important in archery.

Since 1989 when we first started to produce straw targets and had our first experiences in the world of international competitions, we have been constantly seeking solutions to the problems that trouble sporting clubs.

At that time in Italy for competitions of importance it was necessary to import targets from abroad for the correct diameter, 7 cm thick, weighing approximately 34 kg and with a circular straw rope.

One of our goals in planning and building our machinery was to produce a rectangular straw rope which would have 2 important results. The first being that a rectangular rope with a twisted spiral creates a flatter, wider impact surface. The arrows are less likely to enter at an angle and the paper

targets (faces) adhere better to the surface. The second, no less important, result is that the straw between the arrows holds together better using less glue resulting in cleaner arrows and the straw target holds together better with fewer arrow holes.

Since then we have developed and improved, providing solutions to a variety of problems in the field of archery, such as the increased use of the compound bow and slimmer, faster, stronger carbon arrows resulting in the need for straw targets to be constantly adapting and improving to keep up with new techniques being used.

It is our wish to provide to our clients a product with the right balance of price/ quality, without stress or facade. This is why, guided by practicality and our desire to satisfy the needs of our clients and solve their problems, we have continued using straw

which has been shown to be the best material despite all the numerous alternatives.

There are a number of different ideas to consider when constructing straw targets and it is important to understand these differences when choosing the right combination for your needs. The first option, which would seem
the simplest, is to use more compressed straw for better endurance. In this way a sports club would save money despite the initial higher cost as the targets would need replacing less often. But this would be more damaging to

arrows as the points would be more likely to become trapped in the straw, increasing the likelihood that the shafts would bend and/or break when removed. The alternative would be to use straw which is less compressed but would not last as long. A club would be forced to replace the straw targets more often, spending more but with less outlay for arrows as the impacts would be less violent and the removal of the arrows would be easier.

It is our opinion that those who prefer the second option would save money in the long term rather than the short. Therefore we have several suggestions for anyone who is interested

in the second option, for istance the use of wooden fourlegged stands with a straw or rubber fabric backing, or supports for 2 straw targets which could be then alternated.

Using these methods better satisfaction is guaranteed for sporting clubs organizing competitions as well as the archers who participate as in this way their equipment would be better protected.

Therefore it is clear that a customised design of the straw targets is able to satisfy several needs simultaneously.