Hunting small game with Slingshot

shadow9 · Feb 13, 2014

I picked up a neat little slingshot recently, ~$8 from the local sports store. Regular elastics with it, and picked up the black-colored "heavy duty" elastics for future use. I also realized that this little thing could be a REALLY useful item to keep in the emergency bag as well; Light, quiet, weather-proof, and can use nearly anything for ammo.

That said, has anyone hunted small game with a slingshot?

herrwalther · Feb 13, 2014

http://www.pyramydair.com/s/m/Marksman_3075_Pocket_Hunter_Folding_Slingshot_Kit/3035

This is currently in my emergency bag. It is a slingshot developed in part by David Canterbury that was part of a collaborative effort to make a versatile slingshot that could shoot arrows as well. Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Bass Pro sometimes carry them or you can order it direct from Dave at his Pathfinder School.

W.E.G. · Feb 13, 2014

When I was much younger, I gave a try at small game with a slingshot.
Steel ball-bearings, rocks, marbles, etc.

On the rare occasion that I actually hit the critter it was never in a spot that resulted in sufficiently disabling the critter for me to bag it.

I know it has been done.
But I've never seen it in person.

Only way I could see it working is with:
Tremendous amount of marksmanship practice.
Bait.
Immense patience.
Very heavy projectile.

OH_Spartan · Feb 13, 2014

^^^^ what he said, plus bands that only Jorge pull with steady aim. Check out the slingshot channel on YouTube. I haven't been out there in a while but used to visit the channel regularly. he is a THR member and occasionally posts his designs.

Coyote3855 · Feb 13, 2014

My dad claimed I used up all the gravel on his driveway shooting it through my sling shot. I killed a few sparrows, maybe .01% of the ones I shot at. Unless you practice a LOT, you probably can't depend on a sling shot as a foraging tool.

witchhunter · Feb 13, 2014

I had a wrist rocket as a kid and got pretty darn good with it. Seeing as .22 shells were around 70 cents a box! I wouldn't want to have to feed myself with one though. There was a guy back a ways on the Johnny Carson show that was awesome with his slingshot. Unbelievable, the shots he made.

Deltaboy1984 · Feb 13, 2014

Google Slingshot hunting folks are doing it.

CWL · Feb 14, 2014

It's fun to mess around wit them, but unless you put in a lot of practice, you're not going to have much success. If you get good enough to actually be able to hunt with one, I'd suggest that you get a couple boxes of lead roundshot in .36 and .50 cal to make sure that you will kill/stun your game when you hit it.

Within slingshot range, you may discover that a throwing stick will be easier and more effective.

DeTerminator · Feb 14, 2014

Agree with CWL. Using lead is the best ammo for game. Try some .50 muzzleloader balls. You can also cut up some lead wheel-balance weights. Cut them up into half-inch pieces. Practice at short ranges, 30-50 feet max. Plenty enough power at that range, go for the head shot. Short range only.

AJumbo · Feb 15, 2014

I managed to hit maybe a half-dozen rabbits back when I was wearing out Wrist Rockets by the armful. Three died where I could recover them. I liked .36 cal lead round balls for their weight and flat trajectory, and would DRT a bunny with a head shot. I never managed a double-lung hit, though I guess that would have been effective as well. I killed truckloads of rabbits with my Crosman pellet pistol, so that's what I have in my survival kit for small game hunting.

shadow9 · Feb 17, 2014

AJumbo said:
I managed to hit maybe a half-dozen rabbits back when I was wearing out Wrist Rockets by the armful. Three died where I could recover them. I liked .36 cal lead round balls for their weight and flat trajectory, and would DRT a bunny with a head shot. I never managed a double-lung hit, though I guess that would have been effective as well. I killed truckloads of rabbits with my Crosman pellet pistol, so that's what I have in my survival kit for small game hunting.

AJumbo - which pellet pistol? I actually picked up a 1377 (.177 cal) pump-air for both target use and for potential hunting - but I've heard many say that a .177 air-pistol, even on full-pump, is a little weak for small game.

Hunting small game with Slingshot

shadow9

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herrwalther

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W.E.G.

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OH_Spartan

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Coyote3855

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witchhunter

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Deltaboy1984

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CWL

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DeTerminator

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AJumbo

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shadow9

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