Biodegradable target

摘要

A biodegradable target for use in skeet/trap shooting environment comprises a cellulose wood flour of at least fifty percent (50%) of the weight of the target which is combined with water so as to form a malleable mass. Added to the mass are selected items, preferably one and one-half to five percent by weight, such as a surfactant, to facilitate the mixture of the wood flour and other elements, an organic binder to hold the elements together and a release agent to allow for release of the formed target from the mold after heating. Control agents to either hasten or retard the drying of the mixture after the heating step can be used. A brittle agent is added to the malleable mass so that the target will break apart upon impact with gun shot or the ground. A moisture repellant coating can be in the form of a resin-like shell which covers the outside of the target with slight penetration thereon. Fracture points are also incorporated into the target preferably in the form of concentric circles about the center so as to initiate an initial breakdown therealong upon impact with gun shot. The resultant biodegradable target will add moisture to the soil upon composition break down and will not deleteriously affect the surrounding flora and fauna.