Small game hunting witha slingshot

RescueRiley

RescueRiley

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Mar 22, 2006
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I read a post on here several weeks ago regarding slngshots...It got me thinking and I dug my old one out and started plinking, it didn't take long for me to get back to the point where I was shooting prety accurately with it. I Think with steel ammo I might be able to do some CLOSE range small game hunting with it (Cottontails and squirrels) I obviously would not attempt this ifit is not legal in my area....I checked my state regs and they are not mentioned at all I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not it is legal to small game hunt with a sling shot in NYS??? Also I was wondering if anyone else has done a little hunting with one....As a side note I'm not trying to tick anybody off I'm just asking...I am an experienced small game hunter and would never attempt this if it was against game laws or if I felt it was unethical in the sense that I could not efficiently kill a small game animal with in the close effective range of the decvice. Thanks.
 
You're right, sling shots are not mentioned in the hunting regulations, either general or small game. That is good for your hunting as they are not explicitly forbidden. However, the following quote seems to me to explicitly define the legal impliments (in this case for furbearers) and slingshots are not mentioned.

Quoted from http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/guide/smallgame.html
"You may hunt furbearers during the day using any handgun, shotgun, rifle or bow. You may hunt at night as described below..."

On the other hand, spears are listed as prohibitted impliments in the general regulations, but as legal impliments for frogs. So, there seems to be one or more internal inconsistencies within the hunting regualtions. I should mention that the small game regs section refers one back to the general section for legal manner of take information.

If I were you, I'd fire off a quick e-mail to the NYSDEC for clarification. Then, I'd tuck a copy of that e-mail in with my hunting license.

Some times the game wardens don't know all of the laws. A buddy of mine took the NYS bow safety course last year and the GW said that any light over 2AA size was illegal to be in possession of while hunting deer. According to the DEC you can be in possession of a 10,000,000 candle power Q-beam if it floats your boat, so long as you are only using it to illuminate the ground in front of your feet while walking into and out of your hunting area, you are not panning the area around you, and you are not in the act of hunting (during bow season that basically means you do not have a nocked arrow). This is a long way of saying that you can be on the right side of the law, but on the wrong side of the local GW.

If it turns out to be legal, and you can hit your mark, I say go for it and good luck.
 
We used to have a poacher here who used a super powerful slingshot to get deer !! But they caught him .The CO showed us his 'take ' of weapons used by poachers he caught ,slingshot, crossbow ,powerful lights etc.
 
I have no interest in poaching....just legit small game hunting..and slingshots are small enough to put in a day pack or psk...ANd I think it'd be neat (but I'm a wierdo)
 
Forget the steel balls and use lead .45 cal. musket balls. They hit with WAY more authority.
 
Lead balls hit hardest. At least the size of 00 buckshot. Bigger is better.

Unfortunately, I'd starve if I had to rely on a slingshot. I'm just not that good a shot. But it's a really fun and inexpensive plinker.
 
I have had experience with homeless people carrying small home made slingshots for self defense and food procurement. I had one that I had confiscated as a security officer in a hospital years ago, it was amazingly accurate once I figured it out. I never tried it on game but from the power of its strike I am sure it could kill at close range.

I know this doesen't answer your question but, It is why Is part of the reason I keep one in My BOB.

Getting back to your question though it is not specifically prohibited its also not in the lists of acceptable arms. I wouldnt advise it without at leat contacting fish and game. I know many types of sling shot are illegal here in NJ I dont know NY standards.
 
Man, this opens a can of worms......As a kid, I did several critters up to about 10 yards with pebbles, salvaged steel balls, marbles, lead buckshot...If you have the patience and skill and it's legal have fun! It's like archery, anchor point, release, dominant eye, etc.
 
just ordered a crosman tempest slingshot witha wrist brace for 8 dollars @pyramid airguns... I'll also contact my state game commission, no matter how it pans out it'll be nice for plinking and a good addition to a psk...I was wondering if anyone knows if methods of taking apply to "nuisance species" varmints which have no closed season or bag limit??
 
I will add my 2-cents on slingshots. If you intend to try to kill small game (squirrels, rabbits and the like), you need the strongest slingshot you can find. I have a crossman and my experience you can do okay with rabbits, but forget it with squirrels. I have tried steel balls and lead balls and both have the same effect on squirrels-ZERO. Lead balls in large caliber sizes are pretty darn heavy and sluggish from a slingshot. If you want lead, I would go with 32 cal mini-balls. The 40cal are just too heavy and 45 and 50 would be worse. Have fun experimenting.
 
yeah when I was a kid I had a 32 cal muzzleloader that was called a "squirrel rifle" I think if I remember correctly the size of those balls are a good compromise between weight and size...Thanks everbody..
 
From the NYSDEC web page

"... The few unprotected species include porcupine, red squirrel, woodchuck, English sparrow, starling, rock pigeon, monk parakeet and snapping turtle. Unprotected species may be taken at any time without limit. A hunting license is required to hunt unprotected wildlife with a bow or firearm...

General Prohibitions

You may not use a rifle or handgun to hunt pheasant or turkey.
See the General Hunting Regulations for additional information...."

Sorry, method of take applies even for non-protected species. Game laws are designed to make the game species renewable resources (no full autos and bag limits for example) and attempt to ensure quick humane kills (pigeons are people too). Practice with the sling shot. Keep one in your PSK or WSK. In a true survival situation you may get a bit of leeway.

When you hear back from the DEC, let us know. I live in CT, but hunt in NY. At least for the next couple of years.
 
I just heard back from the company I ordered my slingshot from...the will not ship anywhere in the state of NY...I tried to research if ownership of one is illegal but can't find anything...I'm assuming that it probably is....guess I'll have to think of something else.
 
That's kind of a shame RR... slingshots are fun. I picked up a basic one last year and I like it, but I'm not good enough with it yet to count on it much.

I'm right-hand dominant, but left-eye dominant... this is kind of a b***h for bows slingshots and the like. :(
 
Not that I'm advising breaking any ownership laws, but the states up here in the NE are small. I mean, I'm not saying anything, but it's not far from one state to the next is all.
 
Yeah we're hunters. Dont apologis=ze for surviving. Only unnecessary killing. Eat what you kill, kill what you eat. ALL of it.
 
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