This guide was created for the purpose of giving interested hunters and slingshot enthusiasts all the information they need to be an educated, prepared, and ethical slingshot hunter. This guide will cover everything from choosing a slingshot to the types of game you can take with such a primitive tool.
- Can you hunt with a slingshot?
- Choosing a slingshot for hunting
- Best slingshots
- Slingshot hunting ammo choices
- Types of animals you can hunt with a slingshot
- Ethically taking game
Can you hunt with a slingshot?
Primitive hunting methods like bows, atlatls, spears, and slingshots have been used for taking game for hundreds of years. The incorporation of rubber and elastic bands has created a tool that is versatile, lightweight, and effective in the field. While many people think of a slingshot as a forked stick with some rubber bands, the power and quality of materials have drastically improved.
While you can hunt with a slingshot, doing so takes practice, the right tools, and a proper target. All of which we will go into in the next sections.
Choosing a slingshot for hunting
When choosing a hunting slingshot, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Purpose of use – is it easy to use and easy to manage in the field?
- Power – can you effectively kill your target?
- Accuracy – is the shot going where you want it to go?
Purpose
Some slingshots are made for fun. No problem here. But they should be avoided for hunting. The $2 slingshot you can purchase at the local dollar store isn’t going to be a reliable or effective hunter. At the other extreme, some slingshots are made for looks and backyard plinking. They have a little more power, but a lot of unnecessary add ons like flashlight holders (which will throw off accuracy) or knives (I know…what!?). These tacti-cool slingshots while entertaining are not meant for putting meat on the table.
Power
From a power standpoint, multiple bands will give you more power and a more consistent shot. Make sure to choose a slingshot that allows you to replace bands for repair or pull adjustments. When deciding between a traditional palm only slingshot and an arm stabilized slingshot, the arm stabilizer will provide much more power.
Accuracy
When comparing on accuracy, your slingshot should be symmetrical so that weight is evenly distributed above your hand. Some slingshots have a stabilizer in the front which acts as a counterweight to create a more accurate shot. Finally, choose a slingshot with a wrist stabilizer. This will allow you to get more power by transferring the weight of your pull to your arm instead of relying solely on your hand. You will feel the difference immediately. Higher quality slingshots will all have an arm stabilizer.
The best hunting slingshots
While we have a more in-depth article discussing and comparing a variety of hunting slingshots. Three options are included below along with a brief description.
Rochan Professional – Unique design and every option you could want. The dual spring tensioning system is revolutionary and makes it possible to get even more tension on the bands. These factors in combination with the
Elfirly Wrist Rocket – By far the best option for a hunting slingshot (available in black or silver). This unit has top reviews for accuracy and adjustability. The slingshot also folds up nicely for storage, offers easy adjustment, and a magnetic feature for holdings ammo. In addition, this has multiple bands allowing for more power and stability. Overall, the top choice.
Daisy P51 Slingshot Kit – Daisy is a reliable company and a builder of quality products. The P51 is a perfect slingshot for those who are interested in a simple and powerful tool. This is their most powerful slingshot option and should be handled with care and in a safe manner.
Slingshot Hunting Ammo Choices
There are many slingshot ammo choices. You will want to avoid choosing oblong or uneven ammo. Picking up a rock and propelling it from your slingshot is not a smart or safe option. This leads to inaccurate shots which are as dangerous as they are impractical. Especially when hunting, you want an accurate and ethical shot. Using the proper ammunition is the first step to this accuracy. For more detailed information, check out our full post on slingshot ammo.
Overall, there are four main options for slingshot ammunition:
- Steel – perfect for hunting. Even weight and size. More costly than clay, but I recommend using steel for hunting and clay for practice.
- Hard Clay – recommended for target practice. Biodegradable and environmentally safe. Won’t leave steel balls all over your yard as they dissolve in water with some rain.
- Glass – Not recommended. While weight is better than plastic, there is no benefit of using glass over clay or steel. Steel is better for hunting than glass and clay is better than glass for practice.
- Lead – Not recommended. Steel is a better option.
- Plastic – Not recommended. Low weight and plastic balls everywhere.
Since buying in bulk is a better option, I recommend using a carrying pouch like this that attaches on your belt.
Types of Animals You Can Hunt with A Slingshot
You are not going to take down an elk with a slingshot. Slingshots, those made for hunting, are great options for procuring small game. Reasonable game includes birds, rabbits, squirrels, rodents, and even animals the size of racoons with accurate shot placement.
Ethically Taking Game
Just because you can shoot an animal with a steel ball from a slingshot does not mean that you should. Because of the unregulated nature of slingshots, they can and are used in the backyard of many enthusiasts of all ages. However, the temptation, especially of uneducated hunters who are lured by the low cost of a slingshot, to shoot at animals without thought of ethically and quickly killing the animal is high.
When using a slingshot, especially the slingshots of caliber that are discussed in this article, remember that it is a hunting tool and weapon. It can kill, but it can also wound if used incorrectly. Any quality hunter will tell you that wounding is the worst thing that can happen on a hunt. A bad shot is much worse than a shot not taken.
Take time to practice and be comfortable with your slingshot. Use quality and accurate ammo and be prepared for the consequences of both good and misplaced shots.
Here are two good options for targets so that you can practice and shoot to your heart’s content:
Caldwell Rimfire Resetting Target
