slings?

C

chabla

Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
159
do you guys think that using slings are a good way of gathering food like small game in the wilderness. i made the woven sling from klippe and it is fun to use but i am not at all accurate with it. i think there is enough speed and power to knock out small game but i think the biggest problem is actually hitting the target. your thoughts?

http://wiki.funditor.org/
 
Yes, I think they are, of course, a great way of gathering small game, and that is why they have been used heavily as hunting tools and as war weapons since the dawn of humankind. They are an option that is easy for almost anybody to make, can be made out of many easily found items (clothes, trash bags, natural fibers, etc.), and have almost unlimited ammunition.

Like everything else, they have a learning curve, and take practice.
 
practice, is the only advice I can offer... The sling was a standard in ancient times...it's hard to shoot a recurve or long bow as well but once you get it all is good. there are several youtube clips that you can glean some different styles of technique and release from. I also advocate practicing with a hackysack type object first...
 
A tip ~ Use shorter strings for your sling. The projectiles wont go as far, but they should be more accurate. After practicing for a while, make more slings with larger strings. If you make the pocket out of a piece of leather, you can re-use the pocket and change out the strings easily.
 
Great direct and indirect fire weapon, although I did throw Laci Szabo's shoulder out trying to teach him to use one. :D

Great fun at the Riddle of Steel!
 
I love slinging. I even make my own projectiles. It took me a while to learn which swing type worked best for me. http://slinging.org is a great site. A guy in Australia makes free slings and sends them out to people who are interested. Aussieslinger or something similar. They are great, fold down small, and take up very little room. I usually have one in all of my bags more for fun than for anything else.

It takes me a while to build up my slinging muscles as odd as that sounds. I wouldn't want to depended upon a sling as my only means of gather food.

Here is the thread for free slings: http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1169030739

And here is a long thread with pictures of slings for those interested: http://slinging.org/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1172017416

Here is one that would be good to practice with, as it would be quick and easy to improvise:

earlysling.jpg


I thought I was new to slinging but I recently looked at an old book in my library which describes a sling I made 30 years ago. After 5 loops (6" long") are made you begin a sheepshank but tie an overhand knot and place the end of the cord through all five loops and pull tight. Repeat at other end. I did not use it much 30 years ago. The sling pictured here works well in the few times I have used it and a golf ball did not slip through the lines of the pouch. I was not using full force. The name of the book is "Whittlin', Whistles and Thingamagigs" ISBN 0-8117-1882-2. Tony
Click to expand...
 
I've done a bit. About good enough to hit a door on an abandoned outbuilding, but not enough to pick small game off a branch. I have one friend who is good enough to nab squirrels, and his only suggestion is to practice 25 rounds a day, EVERY day, with no breaks, for a year.

That's a far cry from some of the old survival books suggesting slings as a 15 minute survival hunting solution, of course.
 
It's definitely harder than it looks. I made one from some old leather and 550 cord and love to play with it but can't find the time.
 
I have tried several times with different slings I've made as well. However I can't hit the ground with my ass in three tries. ;)

I did find that the shorter the strings, the more accurate I am (I use the word "accurate" very loosely) even though you loose distance. However your not going for the 100 ' short very often if ever.
 
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