Field Evaluation: The CUBE Target By Jason Balazs
Aug 7, 2007 - 10:58:15 AM
When it comes to practicing, I shoot almost every day. Some people find it hard to practice because they have to travel to a local archery range to shoot. I used to shoot in my back yard, but since I have just recently moved, I have to travel a little to shoot. In the early 90's, I used a box that was filled with old clothes and things of this nature as a "Mobile" archery target.
However, with the speed, kinetic energy, and arrow penetration that today's bows deliver, the old cardboard box is a no go. In today's vast outdoor market, there are numerous archery targets that you can find. Many of them claim to be the best and even have popular sportsman endorsing them. When I say, "I have shot them all," I mean it. From the famous ones to the major store brand targets, I have shot them.
For me to sit here and get a brand new target, shoot it a couple of times; then say it is the best thing since slice bread would not only not be a true statement, it would never get by Rich Walton as a good Field Evaluation for you, the bowhunting.net visitor. So, this review is being conducted on a target that I received in July of 2006.
That is right, I shot this target all year long with every broadhead, field point, and kids arrow in my arsenal. That target is the Cube.
Let us talk about how the Cube is made up.
The Cubes basic make-up is that of an old rolled hay bail. The have taken the layers of different density foams and tightly rolled them almost like a cinnamon roll, then enclosed it in a protective skin to hold it all together. They call this process "Bonded Lamination." This has numerous advantages to it. The main one is the fact the target will not shred like the other layered targets that are on the market. Another great advantage is you can shoot every single side of the cube. The Top, Bottom, sides, front and back. That gives you six places where you can shoot until you are tired.
Testing:
Like I stated before, I shot this target over the course of a whole year. Not only did I shoot it, but my wife and friends shot it as well. Last year on our annual elk hunt, I took the Cube with us. In just one week between seven people, we put over 4,000 arrows into the target. Some of them missed a couple of times and their broadheads sliced the layers on the outside of the target as you can see in picture of what is left of my Cube. This did not affect the stopping power of the Cube or its mobility to move it from area to area. I also used this target for the 2007 bow review and shot so many times into it, there was no way to count. During the whole last year, there was never an arrow that made a pass through. Not only that, but the cube is made for easy arrow removal and even easier when I was shooting broadheads.
Conclusion:
I am very impressed with the Cube and it's durability and mobility. The year before I bought three targets, a bag target for field points and two broadhead targets and wore them out within three months of shooting. I am sure that I will be shooting this target for at least another 6 months before I even have an arrow that will go through it. I still have three sides of the cube that I have not shot yet which leads me to believe that it will last even longer. The folks at American Whitetail Inc. have made a solid product that is made to last so no matter if you enjoy shooting field points, broadheads, or expandable broadheads, the Cube will save you money in the long run, and everyone likes that.
