Reactive Target Shooting Game

Abstract

A target shooting game is disclosed herein. The target shooting game includes a at least one frame, a plurality of targets, at least one actuator means, a controller means, and at least one power source. Further, preferably, the target shooting game includes a software application usable on an external device, such as a smartphone. The plurality of targets preferably include a gopher animal shape and are independently movable between a raised position and a lowered position, providing a user with an exciting shooting game and/or shooting training session.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of target shooting of existing art and more specifically relates to a target shooting game.

RELATED ART

Shooting is the act of discharging a projectile from a device made for shooting projectiles, such as a gun. Shooting exercises and games can be performed for recreational purposes, competitive purposes, training purposes, professional purposes, etc. Particularly, target shooting is a sport which is enjoyed by many throughout the world. These sports often involve objects of various forms and shapes used as shooting targets and devices such as BB guns, pellet guns, rifles, crossbows, or the like used for shooting the targets. However, many of the current shooting targets in the art are not satisfactory. For example, many fail to provide an exciting game experience, fail to provide an adequate training experience for individuals who desire to practice shooting moving targets, utilize antiquated technology and do not integrate with smart devices, do not keep score total, etc. As such, a suitable solution is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known target shooting art, the present disclosure provides a novel reactive target shooting game. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a game with a plurality of targets that are independently moved between a raised position and a lowered position and provides a user with an exciting shooting game and/or shooting training session. Further, the game integrates with smart devices and keeps game score total.

A target shooting game is disclosed herein. The target shooting game includes a plurality of targets, at least one actuator means, a controller means, at least one power source, a software application. The plurality of targets may be independently movable between a raised position and a lowered position. Each of the plurality of targets may include a body having a top end opposite a bottom end.

The at least one actuator means may be configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time. The controller means may be in communication with the at least one actuator means and configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means. The at least one power source may be configured to provide power to the target shooting game. The software application may be useable on an external device and configured for communication with the controller means. The software application may be configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means via communication with the at least one controller means.

According to another embodiment, a method of using a target shooting game is also disclosed herein. The method includes providing the target shooting game as above; triggering the actuator means via at least one of the controller means and the software application to begin selectively moving each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time; and shooting at least one target in the raised position, the at least one target being automatically moved into the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met and another at least one target then being moved into the raised position.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a reactive target shooting game, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the target shooting game having a plurality of frames and a plurality of targets, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the target shooting game of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the target shooting game having one frame and a plurality of targets arranged in a line on a top side thereof, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the target shooting game of FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the target shooting game having one frame and a plurality of targets randomly arranged on the top side thereof, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the target shooting game of FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a close up view of one of a plurality of targets in a lowered position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of one of the plurality of targets in a raised position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of one of the plurality of targets in the lowered position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a side cutaway view of one of the plurality of targets in the raised position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of the target shooting game illustrating the plurality of targets, the plurality of frames, and a software application being used on an external device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the target shooting game, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the target shooting game, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the target shooting game illustrating the plurality of targets including identifiers means and the software application including corresponding identifier means, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using the target shooting game, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to target shooting and more particularly to a reactive target shooting game. Generally, the target shooting game may include animal shaped targets that are raised and lowered randomly. Particularly, the target shooting game may include five individual targets shaped like a gopher. A software application may be in communication with the target shooting game and a user may utilize the software application to start the target shooting game. Preferably, the software application and the target shooting game may communicate via BLUETOOTH®. During the target shooting game, if a target is knocked down (via a shot), a point may be counted and added to a score total on the software application. If the target is not hit after a certain amount of time, it may lower and another target may rise. This process may continue until time has run out on the software application.

Each target may be pivotably attached to a frame. In some embodiments, two solenoids may be mounted underneath each target. One solenoid may flip the target upwards; the other solenoid may flip the target down. An electrical switch may be used to detect hits on target and target position. In other embodiments, an electromagnet and counterweight combination may be used. In other embodiments still, linear actuator(s) may be used. When the target is down, it may rest on a push button switch. Each individual target may be powered by a small 12 volt battery.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-14, various views of a target shooting game 100. As shown in FIGS. 1-6 particularly, the target shooting game 100 may include a plurality of targets 120. In some embodiments, the plurality of targets 120 may each include a shape of an animal. For example, preferably, the plurality of targets 120 may each include a shape of a gopher 127. However, it should be appreciated that other animal shapes are contemplated, and that the plurality of targets 120 are not limited to animal shapes.

In some embodiments, at least one frame 110 may be provided. The at least one frame 110 may include a bottom side 111 opposite a top side 112. The plurality of targets 120 may be arranged about the top side 112 of the at least one frame 110. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, the at least one frame 110 may include a plurality of frames 110. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of frames 110 may include at least one target 120 from the plurality of targets 120 arranged about the top side 112 thereof. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-2, one target 120 may be attached to one frame 110. This may allow the user to selectively move the targets 120 around and position them at different locations. As shown in FIGS. 3-4, in other embodiments, the plurality of targets 120 may be arranged in a line on one single frame 110. In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, the plurality of targets 120 may be in staggered configuration or otherwise randomly arranged about the top side 112 on one single frame 110.

Each of the plurality of targets 120 may include a body 123 having a top end 124 opposite a bottom end 125 relative to a horizontal surface, such as a desk, floor, the at least one frame 110, etc. As above, each of the plurality of targets 120 may include a shape of a gopher 127; as such, the top end 124 may define a ‘head’ of the gopher 127. Each of the plurality of targets 120 may be made from a durable material to withstand repetitive projectile contact (when shot at). For example, each of the plurality of targets 120 may be made from metal such as hardened steel, rubber, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1-6 particularly, the plurality of targets 120 may include five targets 120. As such, in the embodiment including the plurality of frames 110, the plurality of frames 110 may include five frames 110 (one for each target 120). However, the plurality of targets 120 are not limited to this number (nor the plurality of frames 110). Each of the plurality of targets 120 may be independently movable between a raised position 121 and a lowered position 122. For example, each of the plurality of targets 120 may include a pivotable hinge 128 configured to pivot the targets 120 between the raised position 121 and the lowered position 122.

Referring more specifically now to FIGS. 7-13, as shown, at least one actuator means 130 may be configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets 120 between the raised position 121 and the lowered position 122 at least one at a time. Preferably, there may be a great number of patterns the targets 120 may raise or ‘pop up’ in. For example, one target 120 may be raised at a time while the remaining targets 120 are lowered (for example where there are five targets 120, one may be raised and the remaining four may be lowered). In another example, two targets 120 may be raised at a time, and so on. Further, the target(s) 120 may raise for a certain amount of time. For example, one target 120 may raise for 2 seconds at a time. In another example, all targets 120 may raise for 5 seconds at a time. When one target 120 begins to lower, another target 120 may be begin to rise.

To aid in this, a controller means 140 may be in communication with the at least one actuator means 130 and configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means 130. For example, the controller means 140 may include a processor and/or central processing unit and memory such as Random Access Memory (RAM). In some embodiments, the at least one actuator means 130 may be configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets 120 from the lowered position 122 to the raised position 121 at least one at a time at random intervals. Again, there may be a great number of patterns the targets 120 may raise in.

Further, the at least one actuator means 130 may be configured to move each of the plurality of targets 120 from the raised position 121 to the lowered position 122 once a predetermined condition is met. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 and FIGS. 12-13, in some embodiments, the target shooting game 100 may further include at least one sensor means 170 in communication with the controller means 140. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor means 170 may be configured to detect projectile contact on each of the plurality of targets 120 when in the raised position 121. As such, the predetermined condition may be projectile contact. For example, when a raised target 120 is hit by a projectile (shot at), the at least one sensor 170 may detect the contact, send a signal to the controller means 140 and the controller means 140 may then trigger the actuator means 130 to lower the raised target 120. Further, in some embodiments, the controller means 140 may be configured to add a point to a score total 161 when projectile contact is detected.

In other embodiments, the at least one sensor means 170 may not detect projectile contact. In this embodiment, the projectile may simply knock the target(s) 120 down. In this embodiment, the controller means 140 may be configured to add a point to a score total 161 (FIG. 11) each time each of the plurality of targets 120 are knocked down by a projectile. For example, if one target 120 is knocked down, one point may be added. If two targets 120 are knocked down, two points may be added. In this embodiment, the at least one sensor means 170 may be configured to detect a position of each of the plurality of targets 120. For example, the at least one sensor means 170 may be configured to detect which targets 120 are lowered. As such, when the target(s) are knocked down by the projectile, the at least one sensor means 170 may detect when the target(s) 120 are lowered and the controller means 140 may then add point(s) to a score total 161 (depending on how many target(s) 120 are knocked down). In this embodiment, the predetermined condition may be met when target(s) 120 are lowered by the projectile.

It should be appreciated that the controller means 140 may not add a point to the score total 161 each time a target 120 is lowered, rather, the controller means 140 is contemplated to add a point to the score total 161 each time a target 120 is forcefully knocked down (hit with the projectile). As shown in FIG. 13, the target shooting game 100 may include a plurality of electrical switches and/or a plurality of other sensors located underneath each target 120 when in the lowered position 122. In some embodiments, these electrical switches and/or other sensors may be configured to detect a force at which the target 120 is knocked down or may only be triggered if the force exceeds a certain threshold, ensuring that the controller means 140 only adds a point to the score total 161 when the target 120 is hit with the projectile.

In other embodiments, the controller means 140 may be configured to not add a point to the score total 161 for a short amount of time after the actuator means 130 has been used to lower the target 120, ensuring that a point is only added when the projectile knocks the target 120 down. For example, if the user fails to knock down the target 120 with the projectile and the actuator means 130 lowers the target 120, the controller means 140 may effectively ‘ignore’ the sensor/electrical switch (associated with the particular target 120) for the short amount of time (for example, 3 seconds) and not add a point.

In other embodiments, the at least one sensor means 170 may include at least two types of sensors: one for sensing projectile contact and one for sensing position of the targets 120. Examples sensors contemplated may include position sensors, proximity sensors, motion sensors, weight sensors, pressure sensors, or the like. Detection of which targets 120 are lowered may also allow the controller means 140 to (via the actuator means 130) control when targets 120 are raised. For example, if a far left side target is in the lowered position 122, the controller means 140 may cause the far left side target to rise (via the actuator means 130). In some embodiments, the at least one sensor means 170 may include an electrical switch to detect position of the targets 120.

In other examples, the predetermined condition may include when a predetermined time interval has elapsed. For example, if a target 120 has been raised for a certain amount of time (such as 30 seconds), the controller means 140 may trigger the actuator means 130 to lower the raised target 120. In this embodiment, the controller means 140 may include a timer circuit.

As shown in FIG. 13 particularly, the at least one actuator means 130 may include a plurality of actuator means 130 configured to move at least one assigned target 120 of the plurality of targets 120 between the raised position 121 and the lowered position 122. For example, each actuator means 130 may be connected (assigned') to one target 120, as shown in FIG. 13. As such, in some embodiments, the plurality of actuator means 130 may include five actuator means 130 (one for each target 120). This may enable the controller to independently communicate with each target 120 (via it's connected actuator means 130).

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of actuator means 130 may include a first solenoid 131 and a second solenoid 133. The first solenoid 131 may be configured to move the at least one assigned target 120 into the raised position 121, and the second solenoid 133 may be configured to move the at least one assigned target 120 into the lowered position 122. In this embodiment, as shown, each of the plurality of actuator means 130 may further include a first movable rod 132 connected to the first solenoid 131. The first solenoid 131 may be configured to push the first movable rod 132 vertically into one of the plurality of targets 120 and into the raised position 121. As such, the first movable rod 132 may be located underneath the top end 124 of the target 120 when in the lowered position 122.

The second solenoid 133 may be located underneath the target 120 about the bottom end 111. In this embodiment, each of the plurality of actuator means 130 may further include a second movable rod 134 connected to the second solenoid 133. Further, each target 120 may include a protrusion 126 located about the bottom end 125 thereof. The second solenoid 133 may be configured to push the second movable rod 134 horizontally into the protrusion 126 and thereby push the target 120 into the lowered position 122.

It should be appreciated however that the actuator means is not limited to solenoids and that other actuator means are also contemplated. For example, the actuator means may include an electromagnet located at a front of each target 120, and a counterweight attached to the bottom end 125 of each target 120 (not illustrated). Another magnet may be located about the front or top end 124 of the targets 120 and when the electromagnet is energized the attraction between the two magnets may force the target(s) 120 into the raised position. When not energized, the counterweight may pull the target(s) 120 back into the lowered position 122.

In another example, the at least one actuator means 130 may include linear actuator(s) (not illustrated) configured to push and pull each target 120 from underneath and behind. In another example, the at least one actuator means 130 may include pneumatic cylinders (not illustrated). In yet another example, the at least one actuator means 130 may include motor(s) (not illustrated). It should also be appreciated that each target 120 may not include an attached actuator. For example, one actuator may move a row of targets 120, one actuator may move all targets 120, etc. (again, independent of each other).

As shown in FIGS. 12-13, at least one power source 150 may be configured to provide power to the target shooting game 100. Preferably, the at least one power source 150 may include at least one battery 151, as shown in FIG. 15. In some embodiments wherein the at least one actuator means 130 includes a plurality of actuator means 130, the at least one battery 151 may include a plurality of batteries (one for each actuator means 130). In some embodiments, the plurality of batteries may each be a 12 Volt battery.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 11-14, preferably, the target shooting game 100 may include a software application 160 useable on an external device 5 and configured for communication with the controller means 140. For example, the external device 5 may be a smartphone, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or the like. The software application 160 may be configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means 130 via communication with the at least one controller means 140. Particularly, a user may control the targets 120 and other elements of the target shooting game 100 (such as starting/stopping of the target shooting game 100) via the software application 160 on the external device 5. Preferably, the target shooting game 100 may include a BLUETOOTH® transceiver and the controller means 140 may be configured to communicate with the software application 160 via BLUETOOTH® connection.

A user may begin the target shooting game 100 (movement of the plurality of targets 120) via the software application 160. In some embodiments, the user may be able to control game features on the software application 160. For example, the user may control difficulty level (how long targets 120 are raised for, how many targets 120 are raised, etc.), game mode (pattern or randomized sequence in which the targets 120 raise), or the like. In some embodiments, once the target shooting game 100 has begun, the software application 160 may count down a predetermined time interval (for example, 5 minutes). Once the predetermined time interval has elapsed, the movement of the plurality of targets 120 may stop and the game may be over (or that particular round of the game).

As above, a point may be added to the score total 161 (FIG. 11) when the target(s) 120 are knocked down the projectile. As such, the controller means 140 may include memory for storing score total 161. This may be a volatile memory in which the score total 161 is temporarily stored (whilst the target shooting game is on), or a non-volatile memory in which the score total 161 is permanently stored (until manually deleted) and can be accessed at a later date. In the latter embodiment, the non-volatile memory may store a plurality of score totals 161 from previous games.

The target shooting game 100 may be played by one or more players. As such, the score total 161 may include total for all players. The score total 161 may be displayed on the software application 160. The software application 160 may receive the score total 161 from the controller means 140 and display the score total 161 on the external device 5. In further embodiments, the score total 161 may be displayed on the at least one frame 110. For example, the at least one frame 110 may include a display for displaying the score total 161.

Referring specifically to FIG. 14, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of targets 120 may include an identifier means 129. For example, a number and/or a color may be assigned to each of the plurality of targets 120. In some embodiments, the number and/or color may be physically indicated on each target 120 or on the frame(s) 110 on which the target(s) is located and the software application 160 may display corresponding identifier means 162 for each target 120, thereby allowing the user to independently control a particular target 120. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the targets 120 may include number identifiers whereby one target 120 displays the number “1”, another target 120 displays the number “2” another target 120 displays the number “3”, and so on, and the software application 160 may display corresponding numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, etc. so that the user can choose which target 120 to control. When a particular target 120 is chosen, the user may view hit count, target position, cause the target 120 to lower or raise, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 15 showing a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a target shooting game 200, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method 200 may include one or more components or features of the target shooting game 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method 200 may include the steps of: step one 201, providing the target shooting game as above; step two 202, triggering the actuator means via at least one of the controller means and the software application to begin selectively moving each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time; and step three 203, shooting at least one target in the raised position, the at least one target being automatically moved into the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met and another at least one target then being moved into the raised position.

In some embodiments, the method may further include the steps of: step four 204, providing the target shooting game as above (including the at least one sensor means and the score total); step five 205, triggering the actuator means via at least one of the controller means and the software application to begin selectively moving each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time; step six 206, shooting at least one target in the raised position, the at least one target being automatically moved into the lowered position once the predetermined condition is met (it is hit or a certain amount of time has passed) and another at least one target then being moved into the raised position, the point being added to the score total when the at least one target is knocked down by the projectile; and step seven 207, selectively viewing the score total on the software application.

It should be noted that certain steps are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method 200 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 15 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method 200. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of using a target shooting game are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A target shooting game comprising:

a plurality of targets, each of the plurality of targets being independently movable between a raised position and a lowered position, each of the plurality of targets including a body having a top end opposite a bottom end;

at least one actuator means configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time;

a controller means in communication with the at least one actuator means, the controller means configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means;

at least one power source configured to provide power to the target shooting game; and

a software application useable on an external device, the software application being configured for communication with the controller means, the software application being configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means via communication with the at least one controller means.

2. The target shooting game of claim 1, further comprising at least one frame including a top side opposite a bottom side, and wherein the plurality of targets are arranged about the top side of the at least one frame.

3. The target shooting game of claim 2, wherein the at least one frame includes a plurality of frames, and wherein each of the plurality of frames includes at least one target from the plurality of targets arranged about the top side thereof.

4. The target shooting game of claim 3, wherein the at least one actuator means is configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets from the lowered position to the raised position at least one at a time at random intervals.

5. The target shooting game of claim 4, wherein the at least one actuator means is configured to move each of the plurality of targets from the raised position to the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met.

6. The target shooting game of claim 5, further comprising at least one sensor means in communication with the controller means.

7. The target shooting game of claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor means is configured to detect a position of each of the plurality of targets.

8. The target shooting game of claim 7, wherein the controller means is configured to add a point to a score total each time each of the plurality of targets are knocked down by a projectile, and wherein the score total is displayed on the software application.

9. The target shooting game of claim 8, wherein the at least one actuator means includes a plurality of actuator means, and wherein each of the plurality of actuator means are configured to move at least one assigned target from the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position.

10. The target shooting game of claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of actuator means includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid, wherein the first solenoid is configured to move the at least one assigned target into the raised position, and wherein the second solenoid is configured to move the at least one assigned target into the lowered position.

11. The target shooting game of claim 10, wherein the at least one power source includes at least one battery.

12. The target shooting game of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of targets includes a shape of an animal.

13. The target shooting game claim 12, wherein the animal is a gopher.

14. A target shooting game comprising:

a plurality of targets, each of the plurality of targets being independently movable between a raised position and a lowered position, each of the plurality of targets including a body having a top end opposite a bottom end;

a plurality of frames, each of the plurality of frames including a top side opposite a bottom side, each of the plurality of frames including at least one target from the plurality of targets arranged about the top side thereof;

at least one actuator means configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time, the at least one actuator means configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets from the lowered position to the raised position at least one at a time at random intervals, and the at least one actuator means further configured to move each of the plurality of targets from the raised position to the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met;

a controller means in communication with the at least one actuator means, the controller means configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means;

at least one sensor means in communication with the controller means, the at least one sensor means configured to detect position of each of the plurality of targets;

at least one power source configured to provide power to the target shooting game; and

a software application useable on an external device, the software application being configured for communication with the controller means, the software application being configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means via communication with the at least one controller means;

wherein the controller means is configured to add a point to a score total each time each of the plurality of targets are knocked down by a projectile; and

wherein the score total is displayed on the software application.

15. The target shooting game of claim 14, wherein the at least one actuator means includes a plurality of actuator means, and wherein each of the plurality of actuator means are configured to move at least one assigned target from the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position.

16. The target shooting game of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of actuator means includes a first solenoid and a second solenoid, wherein the first solenoid is configured to move the at least one assigned target into the raised position, and wherein the second solenoid is configured to move the at least one assigned target into the lowered position.

17. The target shooting game of claim 14, wherein the at least one power source includes at least one battery.

18. The target shooting game of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of targets includes a shape of a gopher.

19. A method of using a target shooting game, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the target shooting game including: a plurality of targets, each of the plurality of targets being independently movable between a raised position and a lowered position, each of the plurality of targets including a body having a top end opposite a bottom end; at least one actuator means configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time; a controller means in communication with the at least one actuator means, the controller means configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means; at least one power source configured to provide power to the target shooting game; and a software application useable on an external device, the software application being configured for communication with the controller means, the software application being configured to control actuation of the at least one actuator means via communication with the at least one controller means;

triggering the actuator means via at least one of the controller means and the software application to begin selectively moving each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time; and

shooting at least one target in the raised position, the at least one target being automatically moved into the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met and another at least one target then being moved into the raised position.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing the target shooting game further including: at least one sensor means in communication with the controller means, the at least one sensor means configured to detect position of each of the plurality of targets; wherein the at least one actuator means is configured to selectively move each of the plurality of targets from the lowered position to the raised position at least one at a time at random intervals, and the at least one actuator means is further configured to move each of the plurality of targets from the raised position to the lowered position once a predetermined condition is met; wherein the controller means is configured to add a point to a score total each time each of the plurality of targets are knocked down by a projectile; and wherein the score total is displayed on the software application;

triggering the actuator means via at least one of the controller means and the software application to begin selectively moving each of the plurality of targets between the raised position and the lowered position at least one at a time;

shooting at least one target in the raised position, the at least one target being automatically moved into the lowered position once the predetermined condition is met and another at least one target then being moved into the raised position, the point being added to the score total when the at least one target is knocked down by the projectile; and

selectively viewing the score total on the software application.