Despite the fact that many people consider a slingshot a child's toy, it can still be a powerful weapon. The toy is distinguished from the combat apparatus by the rubber tension force and the strength of the body. A powerful hunting slingshot is made of steel wire or a durable stick of a suitable shape. And excellent rubber will be from a football or volleyball ball chamber, a rubber bandage, a passenger car chamber, medical tourniquets or a No. 22 catheter. These are the best materials for a really powerful slingshot, with which you can hunt both birds and small animals.

What rubber is the most ideal for a slingshot

The best option is catheters No. 22 or medical tourniquets. They can be bought at a pharmacy. They stretch well and contract very quickly, which allows the projectile to fly fast and far. Their disadvantage is that when the slightest burr appears, they are torn.

The most durable rubber for a slingshot is a camera from a car. However, in order for the projectile to travel far (as if it were to be released with a catheter), more force is needed from the shooter when pulling. But on the other hand, when hunting, you can be completely sure that the slingshot will last a long time.

The camera from the ball or bandage-rubber stretches two times, or even three times stronger than the car camera, but not a single option can boast of durability. All because of the burrs. They are formed if you cut off the strips with scissors. It's only a matter of time how long such a weapon will last. Usually very short. It is better to cut off parts with a blade, but no one can do everything perfectly the first time, skill is needed here. This rubber is a very soft material.

slingshot handle

If the weapon is planned to be powerful, then the body of the slingshot should be made with emphasis. With this simple device, the hand of the holding hand will not get tired. If the slingshot for hunting is not very powerful, and the shooter is confident in the strength of his hand, then you can do without additional emphasis. In this case, the design becomes much simpler both in appearance and in execution.

What you need to create a slingshot

You need:

• wire 5 mm thick or wooden horn;
• suitable rubber;
• genuine leather or a very durable substitute;
• insulating tape;
• kapron threads;
• good glue.

First you need to make a metal body of the slingshot. As mentioned above, it can be with or without emphasis. Or you can just cut a branch that fits the shape. If the body is made of wood, then you just need to peel off the bark, give it the required size, make cuts for the rubber at the ends of the horns and sand it. In the event that a slingshot will be made of wire with your own hands, you must first bend it, as shown in the figure, and insert a piece of hose into the forearm stop so that the surface does not cut into your hand. After that, you need to saw off a piece of wood, which will become the handle for which the shooter will hold his weapon. We split this blank in half, make cuts in it, where the wire will enter, after which we drill two holes for the bolts, which will tightly tighten the steel case and both parts of the handle.

Making the rubber part of the slingshot

The throwing element of the slingshot consists of two elastic bands, which are connected by a leather heel. It is needed for good fixation, for example, of a stone at the time of the shot. A rectangle 10 x 4 cm is cut out of the skin. Holes are made at the edges, where a tourniquet or a piece of the camera is inserted, after which it is fixed with a nylon thread. In order for a do-it-yourself slingshot to serve for a long time, all rubber parts must be fastened carefully. And the nodes must be coated with glue.

Fastening the throwing part to the wire horn

A slingshot tourniquet or catheter is a thin hose that is put on the ends of the slingshot, smeared with glue. After that, for reliability, it is wrapped on top with nylon thread or electrical tape.

Fastening segments of the camera or bandage-rubber is slightly different. The edge of the rubber piece is applied to the metal horn, after which they are simply wrapped with a thread and the knot is fixed with glue. Then wrapped with electrical tape on top.

Fastening the throwing part to a wooden horn

Everything is done very simply - in the slot at the ends of the horns, rubber is laid in a loop, after which it is wrapped with a thread and tied. And, of course, the knots are coated with glue so that they do not come loose during the shooting process. It is important not to use wire with such fasteners, because it can damage the rubber.

Slingshot sight

If you need a slingshot with a sight, then the latter can be easily made. It is necessary to make an arc out of the wire, in the middle of which there will be a front sight in the form of a notch. It is wrapped between the horns with electrical tape. When aiming, it is worth connecting the front sight and the target, and then make a shot. However, in practice, such additional weapon attributes do not bring such a desired result. And for a person who knows how to shoot, such devices even interfere.

Slingshot shooting technique

This throwing weapon allows you to hit any target very clearly. However, for well-aimed hits, you need to feel it well. Only practice will allow you to develop a sense of distance and target, as well as the strength to pull. Beginners often ask how to shoot with a slingshot, they are trying to understand the technique itself.

In principle, everything is simple - you need to visually present the line between the fastenings of the rubber bands on the spear, and combine the center with the target. After that, you need to make a shot. However, everything is not so simple here. When pulling the rubber, it is easy to displace it, and therefore the projectile can go to the side. A beginner will not be able to feel such a shift, and therefore the scope in this weapon is useless. The shooter is also able to take the leather heel vertically when firing, which will also lead to a miss.

Only practice will develop muscle memory that will allow you to feel these shifts and eliminate them. This is precisely the secret of accuracy from any type of weapon, and especially when shooting from a slingshot.

A do-it-yourself slingshot should be comfortable, and the less effort the shooter makes for a long-range shot, the better. Some simple solutions will allow you to shoot longer, and at the same time your hand will tire less. If the horn itself is long, then due to such a lever, the load on the brush increases. This is especially true for those models that are not equipped with an emphasis. Therefore, you need to make the horns as small as possible - two centimeters is enough. Depending on the rubber, you can even do a little less.

Rogatin, when pulled, strongly rests on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe hand between the thumb and forefinger. Therefore, a thin handle will put a lot of pressure on this place, which also does not contribute to a long hunt. To make the pressure as light as possible, it is worth making the handle rather thick - this will allow you to distribute the pressure, reduce its strength over a larger area. Putting into practice these constructive nuances of geometry, you will get such an excellent weapon as a slingshot, improved and very convenient with your own hands. Usually, after making your first weapon, you will understand when you shoot what needs to be changed. And subsequently a new slingshot is created, more convenient and improved. However, the main nuances that should be followed in the manufacture are fully described here.

Safety

There are some rules that will allow you to safely use a slingshot. To protect the hand from being hit by rubber and pressing pain during prolonged shooting, it is worth putting a glove on the hand that holds the spear. Rarely, but it happens that the rubber can tear under tension and hit the eyes. To protect yourself from this, you should wear

Once upon a time, hunting was one of the main human activities. Successful results provided people not only with food, but also with clothes, shoes and even jewelry. In our time, commercial hunting has practically disappeared, and now it is more of a hobby. Expensive, requiring not only desire, but also certain skills. Weapons and devices have been invented in such quantity and quality that the hunter often only has to aim and pull the trigger. But real professionals do not recognize such tactics. Some of them also disapprove of such a type of weapon as a slingshot for hunting, considering it ineffective. However, this statement is controversial and in order to understand who is right, one should take a closer look at this ancient weapon.

No man needs to be explained what a slingshot looks like. A homemade slingshot, made from improvised materials, was in the hands of almost every boy. But remembering, still does not hurt. Moreover, modern hunting slingshots have undergone some improvements, and manufacturers have not used forked branches specially looked out for on a certain tree for a long time. Although the principle remains unchanged.

So, a slingshot for hunting consists of three main parts:

• The base, which simultaneously serves as a handle and a place for attaching the harness.
• Harness. From the elasticity and elasticity of which depends on the power and range.
• Kozhetok. A specially selected piece of dressed leather in which a projectile is inserted.

Previously, the process of making a slingshot began with the search for a suitable branch. The type of wood also mattered. Oak, ash, cherry or apple tree were best suited for this purpose. A dense forked branch was tied with twine and left for a while so that it took the desired shape. Only after that the blank for the slingshot was cut off. The bark was removed from it, polished and fired.

A multi-layer elastic tourniquet was attached to the upper ends, in the middle of which a skin was fixed - a small piece of dressed leather. Then it was necessary to shoot the slingshot, because it is impossible to make products identical in strength, range, accuracy and lethality.

Modern models use other materials. More durable and flexible.

Shooting principle

A projectile is laid in the skin. The tourniquet is pulled strongly. The distance of the target in this case does not play a role. The projectile must receive the maximum charge of kinetic energy. Not only power, but also the accuracy of the shot depends on this. Aiming is carried out. Then the skin is abruptly released, the tourniquet instantly contracts and sends a projectile. At the same time, the speed can reach 70-90 m / s, and the range is 200-250 meters. These indicators are not applicable to all types of slingshots. Everything will depend on the material from which it is made, the design features and the type of projectile.

Ammunition

There isn't much variety here. But after many years and even centuries of practical exercises, three types of projectiles for hunting slingshots were chosen:

• Plastic balls, various weights and sizes. On the hunt, they are not very effective, or rather, too light, but they are ideal for training.
• Metal buckshot and shot. This one is just combat options.
• And, of course, small-sized and suitable-shaped pebbles. This type of shells can be easily found right on the spot.

Advantages and disadvantages

The controversy on this topic will never subside. Some consider the slingshot to be the ideal weapon for hunting. Others, on the contrary, do not put it in any comparison with the same bow or hunting crossbow. And there is nothing to say about a good branded gun or carbine. However, not all so simple.

The undeniable advantages of a slingshot:

• Possibility of use under any circumstances. Even if you went to the forest for mushrooms or go fishing in the river, you can make an aimed shot at any time.
• With certain skills, preparation for a shot takes only a few seconds. Which, coupled with noiselessness, makes it possible for a second attempt to hit the target, if the first one was unsuccessful.
• The slingshot is easy to carry and even with a supply of shells is quite light.
• Relatively high power. There are slingshots, the lethal force of which reaches 70 meters or more. Of course, it cannot be compared with a gun, but in a dense forest sometimes there are even ten meters left.
• Noiselessness.
• And the last argument is cheapness.

What other arguments can be in favor of a hunting slingshot? They, of course, are, as well as disadvantages:

• It takes many days of training to learn how to use a slingshot correctly and successfully for hunting.
• Big game is not available for this type of weapon, although wild boar have been reported.
• No matter how high-quality the tourniquet is, its service life is very limited.
• Not a great aiming range. This point was also noted in the merits, so it all depends on the circumstances in which the slingshot is used.

Having considered both lists and estimating what outweighs the advantages or disadvantages, it remains to make a choice: will you take a slingshot into service and go hunting for hares, squirrels and other medium-sized game. Or you will prefer a more lethal weapon that will provide an opportunity to get a bigger beast.

Proper shooting technique

This concept includes two components: aiming and the hunter's stance. If you do both correctly, you can achieve amazing results. Experienced hunters are able to hit a target that is not standing still. Yes, and shoot yourself while on the move, too, is not uncommon.

In this light, there are two aiming techniques worth considering.

instinctive shooting

This method is based more on imagination and feelings, although it does not change the laws of physics. Aiming is done with both eyes, and the slingshot is controlled by sensations, because it is completely outside the direct gaze. When the hunter feels that the direction of shooting is chosen correctly, by lowering the hand with the leatherette clamped in the fingers, the trajectory and range of the projectile are regulated.

The undoubted advantage of this method of aiming is that the shooter does not care which eye he sees better. But the minuses include two facts:

• If the hunter is not good at imagining the trajectory of the projectile, he is unlikely to achieve any success. This is the same imagination on which the method is based.
• The second is the fact that after replacing a worn harness, you will have to spend some time zeroing in.

Mastering this method requires a lot of practice. But having mastered it, the hunter is unlikely to leave the forest without trophies.

Aiming with an eyeball

Installing a target on a slingshot for hunting can significantly increase the efficiency and accuracy of shooting even for an inexperienced shooter. But here there are some nuances:

• You will have to aim with one eye, the one that is sharper.
• The reference point should be set a little to the side, since the hand with the leatherette will be in close proximity to the face, and this fact may adversely affect accuracy.
• When choosing an overlay for a landmark, you need to make sure that it matches your individual color sensations.

The essence of aiming with an eye is as follows: three points must be lined up on one line. Eye, sight and target. The flight range is determined in the same way as in the previous method.

A well-made and individually shot eye gauge can be easily used with several types of slingshots, simply by rearranging it from one to another, which can significantly increase hunting results.

Hunter Stance

When hunting with a slingshot, sometimes there is no time left to take the correct stance. Find support for the legs, fall on one knee, or vice versa straighten up. All these movements in the forest, where any movement means danger to the animal, can frighten off the prey, and you will have to spend some more time searching for it. Therefore, the hunter's stance is reduced to two concepts, from which the method of aiming follows.

• In move. Experienced shooters advise not to try to keep the sight exactly on the target while moving. It is almost impossible to do this, and by and large it is not required. The sight can move along a certain trajectory, the ideal example of which would be the infinity sign - an eight that fell on its side. The junction of the imaginary lines will be the aiming point. As soon as the shooter feels that the movements have converged at this point, and it, in turn, coincided with the target, a shot is fired. "Infinity" is not the only option. The trajectory of the movement of the sight should be selected individually.
• Fixed aiming. At first glance, nothing complicated. Aim the sight at the target, make sure that all three points coincide and release the skin. But there are subtleties here too. Learning to hold a stretched slingshot smoothly throughout the entire time of the sight is not easy enough. And one more thing: between the moment when the sight found the target and the shot, the delay should be 5, maximum 7 seconds. In the forest, this method is rarely used for hunting, since you can’t sit in an ambush with a slingshot, so it is more suitable for aiming for sports competitions and shooting.

In general, there are nuances. However, having mastered all these skills, you can safely take a slingshot into service.

How to make a slingshot for hunting with your own hands

A fairly wide selection of slingshots is presented in the hunting equipment store, but remembering childhood and making it yourself is also not difficult. To do this, you will need a very small set of materials and tools:

• A suitable piece of branch. Can be replaced with a plastic or metal part.
• Rubber or special harness.
• A piece of tanned leather.
• Jigsaw.
• Drill.
• Scissors.
• Sandpaper.

The algorithm of actions is the same as in a cheerful happy childhood.

• A carefully selected horned branch should be cleaned of bark and treated with sandpaper.
• On each horn of the sighting part, about two centimeters below the ends, we remove the annular chamfer under the elastic band.
• The elastic is wrapped around the horns, tied with knots, and the knots are wrapped with threads.
• The center of the gum is measured and cut.
• In a piece of leather selected under the skin, holes are made along the edges.
• The ends of the elastic are passed through these holes and tied with a knot.

The homemade slingshot is ready and the drawings were not needed. The main thing is that the ends of the elastic bands are the same in length, otherwise the skin will be shifted to one side. It remains to pick up suitable shells and start shooting.

Overview of several popular models

But back to the store. It is rather difficult for an inexperienced person to choose a truly high-quality slingshot for hunting, and even a strong, accurate and durable one. Therefore, here are a couple of the most popular models:

• Model FS-1 from Truemark. Very light. The kit includes a clip for projectiles. Removable hand rest. Designed almost 50 years ago, but is still one of the best-selling models.
• Survival Slingshot Archer Complete. Purely hunting model. The kit includes a flashlight. Arrows may be used.
• The so-called combat slingshot. Demountable model in anodized aluminium. There is a large spread when shooting, since the aiming part is too wide.
• The base is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which makes it lightweight. Due to the thin rubber, the accuracy of hitting the target is increased.

The list is far from complete, but the listed models are enough to understand that it will not be difficult to find a slingshot in your hand.

Safety

Shooting, no matter where and from what it is made, is a rather dangerous business. Especially when the view is blocked by densely standing trees, a low shrub or a sunbeam peeking out from behind a cloud. Therefore, hunting safety precautions must be observed.

• The first danger is ricochet. A projectile from a slingshot flies very fast and can change its trajectory by hitting a stone, a tree trunk, or just a thick branch.
• Protective goggles must be worn when shooting from a slingshot.
• Carefully monitor what is on the trajectory of the projectile and especially in the immediate vicinity of the target.
• And never aim at an animal unless it's going to shoot.

This is where we can finish the review of this familiar and at the same time such an unusual weapon for hunting. Good luck on the fishery.

Hunting with a slingshot does not require the shooter to have a hunting license and register it.

It does not create unnecessary noise during the hunt, provided that the hunter has some skills to use it:

• shoot only when there is a firm confidence in the hit;
• aim and shoot at the head to ensure instant defeat;
• shoot from a short distance;
• to the target for which the hunt is carried out, it is necessary
  get as close as possible, trying not to frighten her.

The disadvantage of this throwing device is that does not guarantee a well-aimed hit on the target, since the prevailing number is not equipped with a specially designed device for aiming. In view of this, the hunter who uses it for hunting must be experienced and skilled in order for the hunt to be effective.

Of great importance in this type of hunting is the constant perfection of the hunter's skill, achieved by regular training. This is the only way to achieve intuition, which is very significant here. To feel the necessary distance, to have a good eye, to correctly calculate the force in order to stretch the throwing rubber - these are qualities that cannot be dispensed with.

For training, you can use targets made of paper. Shooting at them, we can conclude that the hunter is ready for a real hunt.

Hunting technique

During aiming, the slingshot must be in a vertical position. Some hunters adapt to shoot from a horizontal position, or from a certain angle. Over time, developed its own convenient way of hunting.

During the shot, the hunter must stand in a position identical to when hunting with a bow. The target should be on the side, the distance between the legs is the width of the shoulders, the head should be turned towards the target. The hand in which the slingshot is located is straight, the other hand, as it were, continues the stretched strands.

Necessary avoid twisting strands to avoid the wrong direction of the flight of the projectile. The projectile must be placed exactly in the center of the heel. The tension of the strands should be uniform, without distortions and up to the limit.

Don't aim for prey for too long. Taking the sight higher than necessary, slowly lower it to the target. Pulling the rubber to the level where the ear is located and quickly aiming, carefully release the heel with the projectile. It will be more convenient if you hold your breath for a while before firing a shot.

If there was a miss, and the prey remained in place, you should charge the slingshot as soon as possible and repeat the whole process.

For better hunting, you need to pre-zero the slingshot in the place where it will take place.

For those who hunt with a slingshot, it is important to know that the accuracy of aiming, and, consequently, the hit, depends on the tension of the rubber. A trembling hand at the moment of tension can interfere with aiming accurately.

The slingshot should ideally have an anatomical shape, creating maximum comfort for the hunter, rubber - high-quality and powerful, providing the ammunition with a good flight speed. The size of the ammunition used depends on the power of the cords, the more powerful they are, the larger the ammunition.

If the slingshot provides for adjusting the length of the takeaway, you need to set it to the maximum value.

Projectiles for a slingshot

The advantage of a slingshot is that shells for it are not difficult to find. Ordinary stones, buckshot, fishing sinkers, metal nuts, paintballs, and special balls made of lead or steel will be used.

The most popular projectile are considered to be precisely metal balls, as they have good indicators of accuracy and lethal force.

They must match the size of the game. If hunting for large game - balls are taken from 12 mm or more, for small game - 9 mm. They should be kept by the hunter in such a place that they can be quickly reached by hand without switching attention from the target.

Security

There are some rules, the observance of which will ensure the safety of a hunter with a slingshot for himself and those around him:

1. In no case should you aim from a slingshot at the level of the eye in order to avoid injury. The correct way to aim at the level of the ear or cheekbone, which is safer.
2. Shooting at stones and metal objects is unacceptable, as there is a high probability of ricochet.
3. Since the slingshot has a strong traumatic effect, it is necessary to control the environment during the hunt.
4. It is highly recommended to use goggles while hunting. At first they will create discomfort, but the more often the hunter puts them on, the faster he will get used to them.
5. It is dangerous to shoot at animals in trees. If the projectile does not hit the target, it will fly a long distance.

Hunting with a slingshot and arrows

The slingshot can be adapted to shoot arrows. To do this, it is necessary to attach a shelf for arrows between the horns of the slingshot with cable clamps. It can be made from a metal ring with an approximate diameter of 2.5 cm.

Next, you need to fasten a piece of rope to the leather jacket to stop the end of the arrow, which has a notch. Then thread a strong thread through the holes located on the leather jacket and tie its ends to get a stretched handle.

Arrows for such a slingshot made from hand-me-downs funds using aluminum tape for the manufacture of plumage.

Video in which you can see how they shoot arrows from a slingshot. Yes, with such a slingshot it is quite possible to hunt a duck. Enjoy watching.

duck hunting

The most important thing when hunting with a slingshot for a duck is experience and the presence of a good slingshot. If you achieve effective shooting by hard training, then there is a chance of duck production. The quietness of the slingshot allows it to be fired without frightening it, unlike firing from a gun, which makes noise while it is being loaded, and she, frightened, dives even before the shot sounds.

To sneak up on a wild duck, you need to try as close as possible, approximately meters by 10. If the hunter is more than 20 meters away from the target, then the probability of hitting is small.

It is more correct to aim from a place masked by thick reeds. If the hunter hid in an ambush, then the extraction of a trophy is more likely. It may happen that only a single shot can be fired, so you need to aim as accurately as possible.

pigeon hunting

It is not possible to hunt for all types of pigeons, as some species are protected by the Red Book of Russia.

Dove hunting prohibited in populated areas paragraphs. Pigeons living within the city are prone to various diseases, so they are unsafe for humans. Hunting for this species of birds should be carried out away from the population.

The easiest way to spot pigeons is in granaries. Flying to a watering hole, pigeons can rest on trees located nearby.

In order not to find yourself, you need to hide in an ambush and disguise yourself well.

As soon as the first pigeon is shot, it must be put in place so that its relatives can see it. Noticing, other pigeons will actively flock to this place, losing their vigilance.

It is preferable to hunt pigeons in summer and early autumn.

In previous articles, we looked at several ways to make different slingshots, bows and crossbows. Let's continue the topic of homemade weapons. This time we present to your attention an overview of the video on the manufacture of a powerful slingshot for firing short arrows.

So, we need:
- paper;
- pencil or pen;
- ruler;
- scissors;
- a thick sheet of plywood;
- hacksaw;
- sandpaper;
- tape tourniquet;
- electrical tape;
- shampoo.

First you need to take a sheet of paper and draw on it the most common slingshot. For greater convenience and saving time, we present the finished drawing below. You can redraw it or just download and print it on the most ordinary printer.

Next, cut out the drawing.

We transfer it to a thick sheet of plywood.

We cut out the slingshot, which was transferred to plywood with a hacksaw or any convenient tool.

The next thing we take is comfortable rubber, which we will use in the manufacture. The author uses the most common tape tourniquet. From it you need to cut two strands. It is better to make them cone-shaped.

According to the author, this form of rubber will increase the power of the future slingshot.

Now you can fix the rubber on the slingshot, but before that you need to wrap its horns with electrical tape.

We lean the strands against the horns and also wrap them with electrical tape.

From above we wrap a strong thread.

Next, we connect the two free ends with a nylon thread. It is most convenient to do this with a self-tightening knot.

The slingshot is ready. You can move on to making arrows for her.

Arrows will also be not quite standard. We take an arrow shaft and a small metal skewer, which is suitable for making a tip.

Cut out the tip of the skewer.

Slightly saw our arrow along.

We expand the cut with sandpaper so that the tip enters there.

Glue the cut out tip of the skewer into the cut on the arrow.

We wrap it with a strong thread.

The plumage for such an arrow can be made using ordinary adhesive tape. To do this, simply glue the tape on both sides and cut out the extra parts, giving the plumage a triangular shape.

We also twist the feathers in opposite directions so that the arrow is better stabilized in flight.

Attention! Hunting with a slingshot is prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation, this information is provided for informational purposes only. Follow the hunting rules and laws of your country.

Many experienced hunters have a rather contradictory attitude towards such a type of weapon as a hunting slingshot. And there are reasons for this, because without understanding this type of weapon, it is difficult to imagine how it can be better than a gun and a carbine. However, hunting with a slingshot has a number of advantages, one has only to study the “subject” in more detail. For example, with the help of shooting from a slingshot, you can successfully hunt squirrels, hares, muskrats and otters. There were cases when a small boar was even shot from a slingshot. Therefore, very often the choice of hunters falls on this type of weapon.

What is a hunting slingshot?

First you need to figure out what parts the slingshot consists of.

At first glance, it may seem that its device is elementary:

1. Handle or base. A tourniquet is attached to the handle, which helps to hold the slingshot in the hands when fired;
2. Harness - while pulling, it saves energy for a shot;
3. Kozhetok - keeps the projectile in the grip during the shot.

The first material that was used to create homemade slingshots was wood (cherry, oak, apple tree and others). To do this, they chose the densest and tightest branch in the tree, then with the help of twine they tied the supports of the slingshot. This design was left for three months in order for it to acquire the desired shape and fix it. Only after acquiring the form, the branch was sawn off from the tree, the bark was cleaned. The form was fired on an open fire and polished with a cloth.

The main element is an elastic band, it is necessary that it quickly returns to its original position after the shot. An elastic band up to 30 cm long was put on the base, and it was pulled not in one, but in several layers. The tourniquet is attached in small strips to the base, they are called "harnesses". The ends of the elastic are attached to the leatherette. A leatherette is a small piece of leather with two holes for a tourniquet. Leather is suitable dressed, for example, from an old belt.

Advantages and disadvantages

Each hunter will ask a question, what are the advantages of this type of weapon?

The advantages are enough to choose this type of weapon for hunting:

1. This is a very inexpensive weapon.
2. High shot power with minimal noise.
3. The radius of destruction is up to 10 meters, and there are models with a radius of destruction up to 70 meters.
4. A gun or a bow is difficult to carry unnoticed by people, and a slingshot for hunting, with its small size, few will notice.
5. If the hunter is well prepared, then a shot from a slingshot can be done in an instant, and due to the lack of noise, a second attempt can be made in a few seconds.
6. A hunting slingshot can be used in any conditions, even while walking or fishing, because you can hit any target within reach.

But there are several disadvantages of this type of weapon:

1. A short aiming range and a small lethal range compared to a gun.
2. Due to the small force of the shot, it is not possible to hunt large animals.
3. The harness wears out very quickly.
4. For a successful hunt, the hunter must have a lot of experience and good aiming skills.

Principle of operation

So, on what principle does this compact and rather powerful type of hunting weapon work? A classic-sized slingshot can easily fit in a hunter's fist.

What the slingshot consists of, we have already figured out, but how it works needs to be studied in more detail. A projectile is placed in a tourniquet or elastic band. After the projectile is inserted, the elastic on the sides must be stretched, then aim and release the leather insert with the projectile with one movement.

The shot itself occurs according to the following principle: with a sharp reduction in the gum, the kinetic energy from it is transferred to the projectile. This energy is enough for the projectile to reach speeds of up to 80 m / s, and the range can develop up to 200 m. These figures will depend on what material the slingshot is made of, what its design and type of ammunition are.

The types of ammunition are quite diverse. It can be:

• Plastic balls of various sizes - used for training and practicing shooting skills. Multiple use.
• Shot, buckshot from metal of various sizes. Used directly for hunting.
• Small and medium stones.

shooting technique

How to properly use a slingshot for hunting and make the most successful shots that hit right on target? Hunting with a slingshot can be a pleasure if you know the shooting technique.

The main thing in hunting with a slingshot is aiming and the hunter's stance. That is, you need to understand the essence of how to shoot from a slingshot. Let's look at the aiming technique first. Basically, there are two techniques: instinctive and aiming.

instinctive shooting

The essence of this method is that the hunter aims "by eye". At the same time, two eyes are focused on the target, the hunter sees the slingshot and skin only with peripheral vision. In this way, the goal is reached by intuition rather than sight. If, according to the feelings of the hunter, the direction of the weapon and rubber bands is correct, then the skin itself goes down. The advantage of this type of aiming is that the projectile flight range is automatically calculated. And on the hunt, the calculation of the flight range is a very necessary quality.

It will also be an advantage that it does not matter which eye sees better. The disadvantage of this type of aiming is that changing the slingshot or rubber band on it, you will have to re-learn the aiming technique, because the trajectory of the projectile changes from the qualitative characteristics of this type of weapon. In order for shots with intuitive aiming to be accurate, it is necessary to be able to mentally represent the trajectory of the movement of the ammunition. And this requires experience in shooting, which can be accumulated by shooting at cans or targets. In the process of learning, you need to constantly imagine which line the projectile will fly along, try not to blink during the shots, and see the point where the projectile hits after the shot.

Aiming with an eyeball

When shooting with an eye gauge, the results are more effective. The sight can be any landmark on the slingshot, which aligns the eyes, the shooting device itself and the target along one line. You can make your own guide. The meaning of aiming will be that the aiming eye, the sight of the slingshot will be built strictly in a straight line. For this kind of aiming, it is better to use one eye, which has sharper vision. The other eye can be closed for convenience.

Most often, when using an eye gauge, the skin in a taut position will be in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe face from the side of the leading eye. But we must not forget about convergence, which can significantly spoil the quality of shooting. Therefore, the sight of the slingshot must be placed at some distance so that the lines intersect at the location of the target. It is convenient to use the sight when several models are used for hunting, with different pulling forces and shot quality.

Depending on the hunter's stance, and also depending on whether he is moving or standing still, several types of aiming and shooting can be distinguished:

1. Aiming technique while moving- to keep the sight still while moving is a very difficult task, almost impossible. But this type of technique does not require the hunter to be completely immobilized. The sight during movement should move along a line similar to a figure-eight laid on its side, or along the line of the infinity sign. The point where the circles will intersect must be the target point. In fact, the meaning of aiming will be that the skin will be released when the line of sight coincides with the location of the target. It is important to act quickly here, because how quickly the skin is released is of great importance. With the accumulation of experience, the shots will be accurate and accurate. The line of sight can move along other trajectories. Some use horizontal or vertical movement of the sight.
2. Fixed aiming technique. With this technique, the sight must be aimed at the target, fix it and make a shot. With the accumulated experience, this technique gives a very high result. To achieve high results in this technique, the main thing is to learn how to keep your hands with a weapon in a stationary position for as long as possible, and when shooting, make a minimum delay, up to about 6 seconds. Basically, this tactic is used when shooting from a sports slingshot.

Safety

When shooting from a slingshot, it is important to observe safety precautions so that you do not get hurt instead of the beast:

• when hunting with a slingshot, you should always wear goggles;
• do not aim at animals if you are not going to shoot them;
• you always need to see who or what is behind the animal you are aiming at;
• do not shoot into the air over hills and buildings if the target is not visible well;
• beware of ricochet.

The same rules apply when shooting from a sports slingshot.

Hunting tactics

You can hunt small animals or birds, such as hares, ducks, squirrels.

The tactics of hunting with a slingshot is somewhat different from hunting with other types of weapons and has some features. In this case, the hunting tactic is to get as close as possible to the animal, or to lure it out of the hole. In this case, the ammunition is released silently and at the first unsuccessful attempt there is a great chance to make a second, more successful shot, since the animal may not notice or hear the first shot.

Overview of popular models

Nowadays, there is a huge selection of slingshots for every taste on the market, but among them there are the most popular factory-made models, and not home-made slingshots:

1. Slingshot for hunting manufactured by the company Dankung- This is a powerful slingshot for hunting. Simple in design, perfectly performs its functions. Made from aircraft-grade aluminum, it weighs about 200g. Its main advantage is its accuracy, which is ensured by a narrow horn. Ideal for hunting.
2. Combat slingshot company Gloveshot Made of anodized aluminum, it can be disassembled for easy portability. The spear is wide, which reduces the accuracy of shooting, however, with constant training, the accuracy increases significantly.
3. Pocket Predator Hathcock Target Sniper- this combat slingshot fits perfectly in the hand, and when shooting it does not cause discomfort. The base is made of steel, which is surrounded by a layer of rubber on top. It can be attributed to a sports slingshot.
4. Survival Slingshot Archer Complete is a tactical slingshot designed for hunting. It is distinguished by its equipment, which includes a flashlight that helps with night hunting. You can also use arrows as ammunition.
5. Model FS-1 by Truemark on the market for over half a century. Lightweight, has a clip for charges. The hand rest can be removed.

Do it yourself

You can make a slingshot for hunting with your own hands, it's not very difficult.

Materials needed to make a slingshot:

• wood, plastic, metal for the base of the structure;
• rubber for a slingshot;
• a piece of leather.

Tools you will need to make your own slingshot :

• jigsaw (if the slingshot is made of wood).
• sandpaper;
• scissors;
• drill.

Stages of work

How to make a slingshot for hunting without spending a lot of money and time is described below. This is the most common and elementary model for hunting.

The best wood for a hunting slingshot is walnut, oak, ash or maple. You need to find a forked branch of the required shape or cut a slingshot of the desired shape and size from solid wood. If the choice fell on a branch, then you need to clear the rock from the bark.

Using sandpaper, the workpiece is polished. Next, a place is prepared for attaching the gum. Two slots are made on the handle, according to the size of the gum. The distance from the end of the horns should be about 2 cm. The elastic is wrapped around each horn and tied in a knot. The ends of the elastic are superimposed on the horns in such a way that they are a continuation of each of the horns, and in place of the slots in the handle, they must be tied with a thin elastic band. It is better to sand all holes and slots perfectly so that the gum does not wear out too quickly.

The “saddle” of the slingshot is best made of leather 3x5 cm in size. Small holes are made along the edges, through which an elastic band is threaded and a knot is tied. Elastic band is the main detail in this device. The elastic can be replaced by using a tourniquet for a slingshot. The hunting slingshot is ready!

You can also make a slingshot with your own hands from other materials - for example, make a blank from metal or plastic. You can make a powerful slingshot with your own hands if you pay special attention to the quality of the gum without sparing money on it. It is better to buy rubber for a slingshot from a branded manufacturer that has all the necessary physical characteristics. A homemade slingshot can be a worthy alternative to the factory model. Plus, a do-it-yourself slingshot can be perfectly made to fit the hunter's hand.

Video

From our video you will learn how to make a slingshot with your own hands at home.