Compostable, biodegradable, and reactive shooting targets

Abstract

The invention is a shooting target comprising an outer ridge and a raised central hub positioned in the approximate midpoint of the target. The target can be used with firearms, including pistols, handguns, rifles, shotguns, as well as archery, crossbow, and the like. The disclosed target is constructed from biodegradable and compostable materials, such that it avoids adding refuse and trash to landfills. Further, the target includes a filler positioned within the interior of the target. The filler disperses upon impact (e.g., when the target is hit) from the rear face of the target, providing an indication to the user of the location at which the target was hit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shooting target comprising a front surface and an opposed rear surface, the shooting target comprising:
 a base defined by a front surface and an opposed rear surface, and an outer perimeter, wherein the base front surface defines the front surface of the shooting target and wherein the base rear surface defines the rear surface of the shooting target;   an outer ridge extending upward from the front surface of the base, about the outer perimeter of the base;   a central hub extending upward from the front surface of the base, positioned in a center of the front surface of the base;   wherein the target includes at least one hollow cavity within an interior space, the hollow cavity comprising a filler;   wherein the target is 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable.   
     
     
         2 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more walls extending upward from the front surface of the base, positioned between the outer ridge and the central hub. 
     
     
         3 . The shooting target of  claim 2 , wherein each wall is configured as a concentric ring. 
     
     
         4 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the central hub, outer ridge, or both include markings defined by colors, grid lines, patterns, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the filler is a powder. 
     
     
         6 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the filler is baking powder. 
     
     
         7 . The shooting target of  claim 5 , wherein the powder is colored. 
     
     
         8 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the target comprises starch, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, polyacrylate, poly acetate, PLA, soy protein, cellulose, natural fiber textiles, polyglycolic acid, dextran, alginate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The shooting target of  claim 8 , wherein the target comprises 80-100 weight percent filler. 
     
     
         10 . The shooting target of  claim 9 , wherein the filler is selected from wood pellets, powder, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , comprising one or more tabs, each defined by an aperture, positioned adjacent to the outer ridge. 
     
     
         12 . The shooting target of  claim 1 , wherein the target fully biodegrades in 80-100 days. 
     
     
         13 . A method of improving the accuracy of shooting at a target, the method comprising:
 shooting a projectile towards the target of  claim 1 ;   striking the target with the projectile, wherein the projectile pierces the front surface and rear surface of the target creating an opening in the target front and rear surface, and the projectile passes through the interior and contacts the filler; and   wherein a plume of filler escapes from the opening in the target front surface, indicating the location where the target was struck by the projectile and wherein a plume of filler escapes from the opening in the rear surface as the projectile exits the target;   thereby improving the accuracy of shooting at the target.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the filler is a powder. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the powder is baking powder. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the powder is colored. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the target comprises starch, collagen, elastin, chitosan, gelatin, polyacrylate, poly acetate, PLA, soy protein, cellulose, natural fiber textiles, polyglycolic acid, dextran, alginate, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the target comprises 80-100 weight percent filler. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the filler is selected from wood pellets, powder, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the target fully biodegrades in 80-100 days.