Slings For Hunting, An Effective Survival Tool

For Centuries slings were used for hunting, war, and self-defense. An ancient weapon that was used for thousands of years with great effect. The shepherd’s sling was the predecessor to the bow and arrow. A stunningly powerful weapon that relied on kinetic power rather than the piercing ability of arrows. 

 The sling may appear like a simple contraption, but it takes months of practice to become accurate enough to consistently take down small game. The advantage of a sling over other primitive weapons is that it is easy to DIY and ammunition can be found everywhere, pick up a stone and tada, instant ammunition.  

Slings are highly effective at taking down small game; and moderately effective at taking down medium game. Big game is out of the question. Survivalists, hunters, and bushcrafters use slings to hunt small game.

 Shepherds Sling Design

 The traditional sling is of very simple design, two cords with a pouch/cradle in the center. A braided cord works better than a twisted one. The designs for the center pouch/cradle vary from country to country. From elaborately designed leather or woven cradles to just a simple split in the cord to hold the sling bullet in place. 

 One end of the sling has a small loop over it for a finger to slide through and the other end has a knot or a flattened tab for an improved grip. The longer the cords the further the range at the cost of accuracy.

How To Use A Shepherds Sling

Slip the loop over your finger, hold the knotted end with your thumb and forefinger, place a stone in the sling cradle, and swing the sling in an arc. To release the sling bullet simply let go of the knotted end.

The trick is timing when to let go. And of course, hitting the target.

Sling Bullet

 The projectile that a sling throws is referred to as a sling bullet. The sling bullet is ellipse-shaped similar to a Madeleine cookie with slightly more pointed ends. Although pretty much any stone will do in a pinch. Sling bullets have been made of various materials, stone, clay, and even metal.

Distance

In a professional’s hands, a sling can throw a projectile an amazing distance, in ancient times it was one of the longest-ranged hand-held weapons. Surpassing the range of most bows. Slung at a high trajectory, a slinger could propel a sling bullet up to 400m. The longer the sling is, the greater the range. 

Larry Bray threw a stone a whopping 437m with a traditional shepherd’s sling, in 1981. Ref: here

 Its range and unlimited ammunition made the sling a popular weapon of war. The Romans and Persians had slinger units in their armies as did many other nations. But it was the Balearic slingers that were famed for their slinging prowess. And to the present day, slinging is still practiced by the Balearic people, although now slinging is a sport for them and not a tool of war.

Velocity

 According to Scientific America, an expert slinger could throw a sling bullet at speeds up to 100 mph. That is sufficient velocity to kill small game and if aimed well, stun medium game.

Power

Heavier stones deal substantially more force to a target, at the cost of range. In ancient times military slingers would often have a variety of different-sized sling bullets for varying purposes. As well as different length slings for varying ranges.

Y Slings

The first rubber slings were simply Y-shaped pieces of wood with strips of rubber attached. Since rubber is an essential component, it can be assumed that the Y-shaped sling was invented no earlier than 1839, when Charles Goodyear accidentally invented vulcanized rubber.

 Initially, the Y-shaped sling was quite popular among young vandals. Thereby giving the Y slingshot a less savory reputation. The National Slingshot Association in California which was founded in 1940 helped to bring the Y sling to the mainstream public. Slinging slowly changed from a vandals tool into a hobby that was enjoyed by adults as well as younger folk.

Modern Forearm Braced Slingshot (Wrist Rockets)

In the mid-1950s slingshot technology took a leap forward with the invention of the Wrist-rocket. The shape of the slingshot underwent a drastic change with the added support of a forearm brace that would stabilize and counteract the torque of the bands when drawn.

Dangers Of Modern Slings

Due to their design and materials, modern-day slings are inherently dangerous to the user. To take aim and fire with a Y sling or wrist rocket, the sling is held at arm’s length, the pouch is pulled back to eye level and once the target is in sight, the pouch is released. The danger is that if any part of the sling fails, which it inevitably will at some point (usually the rubber). The parts may be propelled toward the user’s face. 

 All rubbers degrade over time or with wear and tear, the fork of the sling may have a weakness or be damaged or built of inferior materials and snap when under high tension. Whichever part of the sling breaks or snaps. It will be when the sling is in use as that is when the greatest stress is put on each of the components of the sling.

Safety Tips

Always replace the rubber at any signs of wear or degradation.
Always wear safety glasses.
Buy slings shots from reputable companies

Know Your Local Laws

In many countries wrist rockets, slings, bows and arrows, and the like are either controlled or outright illegal. Before carrying any of the above outdoors. Check your local laws.

Modern Sling Bullet

Sling bullets have also changed over time, from relatively large ellipse-shaped slings bullets that were in common use by shepherd slings, to small perfectly formed spheres made out of metal for sling shots (wrist rockets). Often slingers would upcycle parts to be used as slingers bullets. Ball bearings, marbles, and hex bolt nuts are some of the more common choices.

Diy Sling

The simplest sling to DIY is the shepherds’ sling as it can be made from 100% natural materials. A slingshot requires some type of rubber to provide the tension to propel the sling bullet. Bicycle tubing is probably the most common DIY rubber for a sling, although other materials have been used,

Summary

A shepherds’ sling is a very simple ranged weapon to fabricate in the wild, ammunition is limitless and it is highly effective on small game. The main downside to using slings for hunting is that it takes skill to hit a small target. Skills that can only be learned through hours of practice.

Conclusion

I found it more difficult to hit a target with a shepherds’ sling than with a bow and arrow, aiming with a bow felt almost natural, while the timing of when to release the sling does not come naturally. Modern slings (wrist rockets) for hunting are as intuitive to aim with as a bow and arrow. Although they are impossible to fabricate as rubber tubing has no natural replacement in the wild outdoors.