The Blair Chronicles

Why do this?

[6.6.05]
Martin Landlords face a choice every year on how they want to handle the Purple Martins two most notorious predators. Discussions have gone on for decades about what's right and wrong and what works best. It is not my purpose to debate those issues here. I want only to show you the first prototype of what I have designed- a remote controlled BB gun that can hit a bullseye (any target) from 20-40 foot every time. My purpose is to find out if you are interested in purchasing this type of potential product, the construction plans or a kit to build it. Please keep reading if you are interested and let me know by email.

For now, I will call it RBS for Remote Bullseye Shooter. It is semi-automatic (shoots approximately 15 BBs, using a small CO2 cartridge for power, before it needs reloaded) and has a modified 3x-9x scope with video display of the target viewable on any small television set with a video in connection. (Unfortunately, the picture of this TV screen looks terrible and does not show the nice crisp image you would see if you were looking at it in person). The gun turret tilts up and down and pans left and right using small DC motors and is controlled with toggle switches. Warning lights and micro switches are used to show when the gun is armed and ready to fire and also when it has fired. Similarly, limit switches and lights are used to control boundaries for pan and tilt. The RBS will sit in a small bird house to disguise it and protect it from weather so that it can be left outside for long periods of time. The control unit will be tethered to the RBS with a choice of 50', 100' or custom length wiring harness. The control unit and the video monitor (small 13" TV) can be placed wherever a person wants to operate the RBS. Could be inside your garage or house or any spot where you are hidden from the target.

Why? This may be the question running through your head right now. First, let me briefly explain what works best for me "now" in my backyard. It is a target pellet rifle mounted with a precision scope and I can hit a pattern/target the size of a quarter from 100 foot away. But, this can be challenging in windy conditions. Now, when it comes to the Martin's predators, the challenge gets even more tricky because, with their keen eyes and sense, chances really get slim when you are out in the open landscape. In other words, I get few shots when spotted caring the gun because the sparrows and starlings catch on quick, without any doubt they understand what's going on if I miss. This cat and mouse game gets especially frustrating when Sparrows are building nests in your Martin house and when any of your Martins are attacked and killed by Starlings. That's why the RBS is so effective. It's stealthy, quite and hits the target, dead on.

My answer to the problem started developing years ago. If only I could be hidden and the gun could be close to the target and I could shoot at the target by remote control. This would solve the problem. So, that's what I have been working on, building just such a solution. The pictures are all of the initial prototype. The final version will look and operate much differently, accuracy, outcome and quality of the RBS will be rock solid. I have finalized many parts of the construction and tested for repeated accuracy and dependability and have to admit, things look good. That's a great milestone considering I have spent years working on various aspects of the RBS in my spare time. Hope to hear your thoughts and interest.