From First Light
Ammo Pouch
Hunting With Slingshots: Not Just For Boys
Hunting with slingshots has many adult fans. Though many may have started with their own homemade slingshots as boys, they have continued to be fascinated by hunting with a primitive weapon, even if that primitive weapon has entered the high tech age.
Hunting slingshots today come in a bewildering variety of styles and shapes and materials. They are no longer “toys” but have become powerful machines that in the right hands can bring down all manner of game. Even so, hunting with modern slingshots requires a high degree of stalking and shooting skill that can only be acquired by much dedication and practice.
In the “old days” when boys built their homemade slingshots out of a tree branch fork and some old Inner Tube rubber, they had weapons that were sufficiently powerful to take small game, but were somewhat crude compared to commercially available slingshots today.
Several areas of advancement come to mind. There are radical improvements in propulsion power, fork design and materials, and a much more sophisticated understanding of the physical dynamics of slingshot shooting. In addition, we now have regional and national clubs of slingshot afficionados and big competitions among the top shooters. Things in the slingshot world have been moving right along. And it is not limited to the US.
When you go online and follow some of the forums inhabited by slingshots experts, it is amazing to see the sheer knowledge and expertise displayed. Whether people are target shooters or hunters – or both – it is great fun to watch the back and forth discussions of these men (mostly) who find in slingshot shooting and hunting a challenging and absorbing hobby.
When I made my own slingshots as a boy during the 1950’s, the biggest problem was getting access to a good supply of decent rubber. Today, the markets, both online and offline, are loaded with good latex and other stuff for building powerful weapons. Commercial slingshots come with tubular or flat band propulsion. Some have tapered bands for better action. Some have the power tol launch steel or lead balls for hundreds of yards..
You can get stocks made of steel, aluminum, wood – you name it. Some folks still make old fashioned style slingshots, but with beautifully carved stocks of exotic wood. All use the very best rubber and leather pouches so the result is not only lovely, but a highly tuned instrument that is a joy to own and shoot. Hunting with slingshots has become an art form. (shush! don’t tell anyone)
Most slingshot shooting is still a matter of instinctive aiming. But now you can get the modern flipper with sights, even “laser” sights. They are a lot of fun to try.
One neat thing about hunting with slingshots is that you can hone your shooting skills by practicing in your own basement or backyard. You don’t have to drive far or join a gun club to make it happen. It is easy to make up your own targets and backstops. Catch your ammo and use it over and over again. So then, on that day when you do get out into the great outdoors to pursue those squirrels or rabbits or pheasants, you are ready to see what you can do. And you might even surprise yourself. The weapon will do its part, as long as you can do yours.
Hunting with slingshots: a modern sport for both boys and men. And women, too!
About the Author
Chas Brown has an passion for the outdoors, for things like hunting, fishing, shooting, gold prospecting, rock hounding, hiking.
He lives on the west coast of the US. For more information about hunting with slingshots, see his web page at http://hubpages.com/hub/slingshothunting
Cylinder and Ammo Pouch 0001
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