Interesting ways to use a slingshot + 5 easy options for making it yourself

The slingshot has long been perceived as nothing more than an attribute of defense and attack by all the boys in the yard. Due to the easy way of its model, which can be made with your own hands, it has become a favorite toy and even a weapon among adult men for small game. Currently, the slingshot is still very popular and has unconditional respect among boys of different ages. Despite its apparent simplicity, its manufacture can be different from each other, as well as the material used.

It is a mistaken belief that a slingshot is just a small mini weapon for hooligan boys. A professional slingshot in the hands of a fighter can become a real weapon with which you are not afraid to go at the enemy. To obtain such a weapon block, specialists use the highest quality materials: titanium, carbon fiber. Supplemented with a laser pointer or red dot sight, it was often used to restore order during riots. A combat slingshot is also used as a first “assistant” when firearms were not used appropriately. The purpose of the slingshot is not specified; everyone uses it for different purposes. Later we will describe ways in which you can do without a slingshot, but with its help make the work easier. Let's look at what a slingshot is for, how to make it yourself, and figure out which material is preferable in everyday use.

A slingshot is a throwing weapon in which the projectile acquires the kinetic energy of the potential energy stored in a stretched rubber band.

Slingshot device

The zherlitsa has a simple device. It is based on a wooden flyer. To make it, you need to take a fork of a coastal bush, peel it from the bark and dry it. A cut is made at one end of the flyer; later the fishing line will be secured there. This is necessary to set the desired depth of immersion of the live bait into the water. It is important to ensure that the fishing line is not tightly pinched. Otherwise, there is a risk of scaring away predatory fish. For the same reason, there should be no knots or nicks on the flyer. Many experienced fishermen advise making flyers from plastic.

Separately, you need to dwell on the equipment of the tackle. For the girdle, it is better to use a thick fishing line with a diameter of 0.6 mm. The fisherman will need approximately 8-12 meters of fishing line. It is important to pay attention to where the gear is installed. It is better to place the vent in the gaps between the grass, along the edge of the vegetation strip. At first glance, this arrangement may seem erroneous. However, it is necessary to take into account the behavior of the predator after swallowing the bait, which, having captured the bait, will certainly hide in the grass. There he will swallow the bait and try to get off the hook. In this case, the vegetation will prevent sudden movements of the fish in an attempt to free itself. She will get tired and wait for the fisherman to take her off the hook. Another important point: it is better to use a girder for fishing in quiet, shallow waters.

What is the tackle?

Most fishing methods, as well as equipment, have experienced several periods of popularity and evolution during their existence. An example is slingshot fishing; on its basis, more modern and promising methods arose.

As the name suggests, the tackle has the shape of an ordinary slingshot, on two branches of which 5 to 10 m of fishing line with a diameter of 0.5 mm is wound in the shape of eights. A leash made of fairly strong material, a tee and a sliding sinker are put on the fishing line itself. The size of the tee depends on the size of the expected catch.

Fishing with a slingshot is similar to fishing using a lure

How to properly make a slingshot for pike?

Let's look at some of the secrets of making a slingshot for pike with your own hands. You will need a blank in the form of a branch with a straight split from wood species such as willow or hazel. Experienced fishermen use these trees because they have fairly smooth wood, from which the line will easily come off when bitten. In addition, they make a straighter tackle, from which it is easy to remove the bark.

When the desired workpiece is found, it is necessary to remove the bark and dry it. It is best to dry the future slingshot not in direct sunlight or in the oven to avoid cracking, but in a well-ventilated place in the shade. The slow drying process will last a week. If the spears on the workpiece are located at too large an angle, then it can be reduced while the wood is raw. The ends of the spears must be compressed until the desired angle is formed, secured with a rope, and only then dried.

The next stage is the direct assembly of the gear. To prevent the fishing line from slipping on smooth wood, it is necessary to screw wood screws or small screws into the spears, leaving a small distance from the fork. It is not recommended to use nails in this case, as they can split the slingshot and render the workpiece unusable.

If it is important to insure the tackle against splits, then before screwing in the screw, first drill small holes of a smaller diameter, and screw self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws into these holes, then the rods will definitely not crack.

To secure the fishing line in the butt of the slingshot, cut out a groove, tie the fishing line to the fork with a strong fishing knot and wind it around the slingshot in a figure eight. When the line is completely wound, put on a sliding sinker and secure the leash with a swivel. It is best to use high-quality and small trebles, as they do not alarm or scare away the pike.

The workpiece should look like a slingshot, with the most correct, symmetrical shape possible

An original slingshot for homemade work with children

It's no secret that most children who like slingshots are boys. Therefore, you can use this master class as a development activity for your son or grandson. To start the process you will need the following tools:

• Toilet paper tube. You'll have to prepare in advance; you won't unwind a whole skein;
• Insulating tape;
• Pencil;
• Rubber;
• Scissors.

1. Take a cylindrical shape of toilet paper and cut it vertically, this will make it easier to roll. Roll it into a stick and wrap it with electrical tape.
2. At the end of the cardboard stick, make a hole the diameter of a simple pencil. Insert it, turning it round and round.
3. Let's move on to the skin. To make it you will need durable cardboard. Using scissors, cut out a rectangular shape and use a hole punch to make holes for the elastic along the edges.
4. You determine the length of the elastic yourself; if you don’t stretch it on one side only, it is approximately equal to the length of a pencil. Insert it into the holes of the leatherette, tying each end into a knot. And twist the other end onto the end of a pencil and tie tightly. This way you will get a slingshot that you can play with at home, and you can come up with anything you want in the form of bullets. For example, soaked paper from which you form bullets with your fingers.

Slingshots made of cardboard will be stronger when the handle, which bears the main force, is strong. Therefore, it is better to additionally wrap it with adhesive tape.

Rules for using a slingshot: caution

Some types of slingshots are considered melee weapons, but even if the slingshot you buy is legal to use everywhere, this does not open up the boundaries for you to shoot animals and people. Do not hold the slingshot at eye level and do not aim at the eyes of the person standing next to you; even a small bullet can lead to dire consequences.

Slingshot fishing tactics

An important point in placing gear is the choice of location. The bait should be placed at a certain distance from aquatic vegetation, otherwise the baitfish will not be visible to predators due to the abundant vegetation. The pole of the bait should be installed at an angle of 45° to eliminate the possibility of the bait catching the pole. The length of the pole should be about 4 meters. However, longer poles can be used. If the depth of the reservoir exceeds 2 meters, then it is better to use floating mugs.

Peculiarities of catching pike with summer girders and their types

Depending on the season, girders are divided into winter and summer. In other words, gear for closed or open water, which determines their design. According to the installation method, there are floating ones (circles), on a stationary pole (postavukhs), and slingshots for fishing from the shore.

Summer to winter zherlitsa

Winter gear for catching predators can be easily converted into a summer version using sheet insulation and thick rope. In open waters, with the help of an installed signal flag, the bite is quickly detected. The effectiveness of winter girders, which are competently converted, subject to the calculations of the technical characteristics of the gear, is not inferior to their summer counterparts.

The depth of the bait should not be less than 1 meter and no more than 2 meters, since it is in these layers of the reservoir that the temperature is optimal for live bait.

Mugs (floating mugs)

The essence of this fishing method is the natural movements of the bait, which should interest and provoke the predator to attack. Correct calculation of the technical characteristics of the fishing rod will ensure a guaranteed catch, and the slightest errors and errors in the manufacture of gear will reduce efforts to zero.

Slingshot from the shore

The most ancient way of catching pike is using a slingshot. This type of summer girder is used in reservoirs with a large amount of algae, snags and other obstructions that make it impossible to use a spinning rod. The tackle is a spear with a line wound around the branches of a fork in the form of a figure of eight. Even material found on the shore - dry branches, etc. - is suitable for a slingshot.

Flyer in winter

Summer slingshot jerlitsa are an ancient and very catchy Samovo catch even in our time, often caught with a spinning rod. No less reliable equipment is the winter girder. Fishing in winter also sometimes produces huge fish, especially when the fish are not active and they only weigh 2-3 kg. Winter hunters hunt underwater predators in the ice period.

You can talk about how it can be about becoming someone else, and someone else. Sometimes it happens that you need to fish at night, and when you need to spend the night, and fish at night in the warm land on the Volga island. To return home one day and return to new supplies of food and bait. This happens during a pike feast that coincides with a vacation or simply free time. Get lost for a few days and you might not forget about it. It’s not often that you successfully catch a predator. The extreme pike emergence in the spring before spawning is especially short-lived. And especially active. This means that it is impossible to achieve success within a few weeks, especially in the so-called “wilderness”.

To place summer girders under the ice, it is necessary to use relatively heavy and massive girders, the flyers of which were cut out of organic glass or vinyl plastic. Other materials and plastics that have weight and strength can also be used. What is it for? The vent must be immersed in water. And even if the surface of the hole is still covered with a crust of ice, despite the fact that the hole was tightly closed and covered with snow, the tackle will still work and catch fish. And then it’s much easier to break off a nylon cord with an ice pick without loss than a fishing line frozen in ice. Worst case scenario, you can replace the damaged cord.

Just like in the summer on the sixth, when there is water, and it draws in, and the water goes away so that the water goes under water. To do this, the crossbar stick must be pressed into the snow. There is no need to change anything in the equipment.

This is such a universal tackle - a flier.

Useful and interesting video - How to make a slingshot

How to catch pike with a slingshot: secrets and tricks

A slingshot (or a slingshot) is a universal tool for catching an underwater predator. You can use a slingshot in snags, as well as in the presence of aquatic vegetation. It is in such places that the predator hides, waiting for its potential victim. The technique and tactics of slingshot fishing allow you to fish precisely those places where it is not possible to use a spinning rod.

The fishing mechanism is as follows:

• to fish hard-to-reach places you will need a straight stick, about 3 or 4 meters long. The slingshot should be tied to the end of the stick using a rope. A rope no longer than 0.5 m is suitable for this;
• a slingshot, like a jigging rod, involves the use of live bait. Only freshly caught live bait that has good activity is suitable for this. To catch live bait, you need to take with you a device for such fishing, since a bulky float rod can injure a small fish, and it will not live under water for the required time;
• You can use small fish of any kind as live bait: redfish, small perch, raft, rudd. As a last resort, you can catch a small frog, the pike will not refuse it either;
• then the required amount of fishing line is unwound from the slingshot and fixed in the cut;
• Live bait is baited on a hook behind the upper lip or behind the back, in the area of ​​the fin. If the slingshot is installed in the current, then it is better to attach the bait to the upper lip, and if in still water, then it can be attached to the back. Moreover, it must be fastened carefully so as not to damage the spinal muscles;
• After this, the bait is carefully lowered into the water, and the stick is secured on the shore. If there is a pike in the place where the live bait was dropped, then soon you will be able to rejoice at the catch;
• pike in the river can be found in floodplains, on sand spits, snags or at the border of water and dense aquatic vegetation;
• You can hunt for lake pike in thickets of reeds or reeds, in shallow water or in places surrounded by aquatic vegetation;
• Many fishermen tie a slingshot to an empty plastic bottle, closed with a lid, and let it float freely. It’s not difficult to see a pike bite, just as it’s not difficult to fish it out later, especially if you have a boat.

Conditions for successful fishing

Just collecting the gear is not enough, you need to know where to put the girder, and another important factor is the bait. Only in the totality of all factors will it be possible to accurately detect and win a trophy specimen of a toothy predator

What you should pay special attention to is discussed below.

Selecting a location

For fishing, homemade girders must be installed in promising areas of the reservoir, such as:

• along coastal vegetation;
• near snags and fallen trees;
• at the exit from pits and at pools;
• in the heat near aquatic vegetation.

On rivers, it is effective to place girders where the current makes a turn. Usually, holes form in this place, in which small fish stand, which the pike eats with pleasure.

Choice of live bait

Without high-quality bait, summer fishing for pike with your own hands will be useless. Active live bait is used as bait. It is advisable to get it from the same reservoir; a float rod will help with this.

The following is used as bait for summer bait:

• crucian carp;
• minnows;
• roach;
• ruffs;
• bleak.

The freshly caught fish is carefully placed on the hook and the gear is set, and then it’s a matter of small things

The pike will definitely pay attention to the fry splashing nearby and attack it in the near future

Installation of vents

In summer, a pike rig can be used both from the shore and throughout the entire area of ​​the reservoir. They are installed in different ways, it all depends on the type used:

• The spears are attached to bushes or a rigidly fixed peg near the shore. Then they unwind the required amount of fishing line and place the live bait with a sinker in the chosen place.
• The mugs are displayed from the watercraft, they are placed in promising fishing areas throughout the water area. The live bait is lowered to a depth of 1 m to 2 m and the fishing line is fixed. The circle itself should notify the fisherman about the bite; it should turn over with its white side.

Both types of jigs are used for pike both in still water and in rivers.

Checking gear

In summer, the zherlitsa is usually displayed in the evening or early morning. During the heat of the day, the predator hides in holes and comes out to eat at night or early in the morning. It is before this period that you need to have time to set up your gear.

They check the gear in the morning, when the sun rises sufficiently above the horizon. If the fish is hooked, you should not immediately jerk the tackle sharply, it is better to lower the line a little, but do it in such a way that the predator does not go into snags or grass. Next, you should make a sharp jerk and gradually tighten the fishing line, winding it on the reel.

The converted winter girder catches in the same way as the circle. Everything is carried out in the same sequence, and the equipment is absolutely identical.

Fishing slingshot

which is very popular among carp anglers, rockets, casting by hand (at a distance of up to ten to fifteen meters, this method is fully justified) and using a special shovel, which you can make yourself or you can purchase a ready-made version. All these methods are good, but I settled on the slingshot. At one time I had a special fishing slingshot, I successfully lost it, this prompted me to make a homemade product that serves no worse than an industrial model.

Why did I choose the slingshot?

This device allows you to send the feed ball quite far, good control of the entire process and it is easier to control the accuracy of the balls hitting the fishing point. Of course, each of us is accustomed to our own methods and methods, but for me it’s easier with a slingshot. After the loss, I made a homemade slingshot, like in childhood, only in a larger format. I still have it and use it when I go to unfamiliar bodies of water.

Since I wanted to experiment, and carrying a spear with me in my backpack somehow started to get boring. As a result, I purchased two clamps, wrapped the area where the harness would be attached with electrical tape, tied rods to which I fixed the bed for the ball. (The size was chosen experimentally, I made it so that I could safely place a ball with a diameter of 3-4 centimeters in it)

And then everything is simple. Arriving at a pond, you can almost always find fallen branches with slingshots, or normal slingshots already sticking out in the water. Right on the shore, I carefully break off a slingshot from this dead wood, throw clamps on its ends, which I tighten, and the improvised slingshot is ready. The advantage of the design is that when folded it takes up no space at all. There are also disadvantages: it happened that when I arrived at the place, I simply couldn’t find the slingshot, which was a problem.

If you know approximately the places where you plan to fish, then you can properly prepare in advance. In principle, it’s much more convenient with a regular slingshot (and when I go out to the lakes with friends in a car or motorcycle, of course, I take a regular ready-made slingshot) this device allows you to use the harnesses anywhere.

It is more compact and you can more reliably protect the rubber from damage in a fishing box or backpack, eliminating the need to carry the entire assembled structure with you. Several times I even put a clamp on the slingshot of my stand, and even this design made it possible to send the ball to a distance of about 20 meters, which is very good.

In general, this is not a guide to action, but only experience and reflections on the topic, and if anyone is interested, I will be very glad. In any case, fishing is something different for each of us: some like more comfortable conditions, some are focused on catching a catch, others admire nature, and I’m also interested in experimenting.

A simple option to make a slingshot with your own hands

• A strong slingshot will be no worse than one bought in a store, if you approach your homemade product responsibly. Find a branch that looks like the letter Y. It is advisable to use sizes that are between 15 and 20 cm long.

1. To ensure the branch is strong and secure, make sure there are no cracks or chips before breaking it from the tree. It’s okay if there are small scratches on the branch; they can be easily cut off with a knife;
2. The bark will become redundant, so it is often removed. This is done for aesthetic reasons.

• The best option would be a fresh branch. But the moisture it contains is excessive, otherwise the structure will lose reliability. How to dry it. The easiest way is to wrap it in material and dry it in the microwave. Use the correct step-by-step instructions:

1. Wrap the future slingshot in a small towel. Place in the microwave and leave on the highest setting for a few seconds.
2. The stick will create a hissing sound, when it stops, put it down again for a few seconds and do this several times.

The photo below shows what can happen if the stick is left for a long time without a towel. It may turn black or even catch fire. So be careful, watch what you do.

• Let's move on to creating notches. For this you will need a construction knife. Make cuts on the top of each branch, as shown in the photo.

• Let's move on to the choice of tires. In this example, a medical tube will be used; you, in turn, can use another rubber band, for example, a tourniquet, rubber from an old ball or a bicycle inner tube. The diameter is 80 mm, and as for the length, you decide what it should be. The traction force depends on this. The shorter the band, the stronger the throwing. Don’t forget that it still needs to be stretched, so you shouldn’t make it too short either. Once the length is chosen, cut the two tubes in half and tie the end of each to its own notch.
• Tie a piece of dental floss around the tube. The thread will tighten the tube and make it strong.
• Let's move on to creating the skin. It is not difficult to cut from any durable fabric, preferably leather. A 10x5 rectangle should have a small hole on each side (0.8 - 1.20 cm). Later we will thread the traction tube through these holes.

• Now everything is simple. Pass each end of the rubber tube through the holes. Make a knot on each one. Manipulation with dental floss can also be used in this case, the structure will become much stronger.
• The slingshot is ready. Practice using your new slingshot to shoot down any inanimate object, train your eyesight and accuracy.

This example is more suitable for the amateur method of throwing stones or other small equipment.

Slingshot made of wood and powerful elastic band

A slingshot is a Y-shaped wooden handle (in the classic version) to which rubber strips are attached. A “projectile” is placed in its central part, the rubber bands are stretched to the maximum, released, the “projectile” flies out and a “shot” is fired. This tool can be easily made independently from any available materials. Homemade slingshots for hunting are a worthy alternative to factory models and meet all the necessary physical characteristics. However, before you make it yourself, you should familiarize yourself with its structure.

The simplest weapon in design consists of only a few elements:

• sling. Used to secure harnesses and to hold the slingshot during a shot or aiming;
• bowstring (harnesses, cords). Strips of rubber, which are used to store potential energy when pulled and quickly release it to the “projectile” during a shot;
• saddle (leather). This is the central part of the slingshot, most often made of leather and serves to capture and hold the “projectile”.

When making a slingshot with your own hands, as a rule, they use natural wood, but you need to take the choice of species very seriously. The tree must have the following qualities:

• hardness;
• elasticity;
• resistance to splitting.

Only deciduous trees are considered the most suitable for this - rowan, apple, walnut, maple, acacia. When choosing a suitable branch for a homemade slingshot, you need to pay attention to the presence on it of two symmetrically located branches of equal thickness. Since rubber bands will be attached to them in the future, they should be almost the same size. After the branch is cut down, it must be thoroughly cleared of bark and dried.

The resulting “semi-finished product” of the handle must be polished and adjusted to the size and proportions depending on your engineering and taste preferences. One of the advantages of homemade slingshots is that they can be made to fit the hunter's hand.

But there are certain logical criteria: the handle should not be too thin and short, and the horns should have the same height.

Also of great importance for homemade weapons is the material for making the bowstring. Previously, rubber medical bandages were used to independently make such devices, but today, when making rubber bands for slingshots, high-quality natural latex is used, which quickly restores its original dimensions. The rods made from it have maximum contraction speed and will last quite a long time.

Improvements in shooting practice have made minor changes to the design. Over time, it became clear that the gun would shoot better if the rods had different thicknesses along the entire length. Well-known manufacturers of sling rubber for hunting or sports make their cords conical or wedge-shaped, and they must taper towards the skin. The leather jacket must also have a certain rigidity:

• medium hardness is ideal;
• a soft leather jacket is more comfortable to hold, but there is a possibility that it may slip out unevenly and this will affect both the strength and accuracy of the shot;
• in a hard leather jacket it is quite difficult to hold the projectile.

A home-made slingshot is quite versatile, and the types of ammunition for it are quite diverse. It can be:

• shot or buckshot made of metal of various sizes;
• small and medium stones;
• plastic balls of various sizes - usually used to practice shooting skills. Multiple uses.

All types of ammunition must be used directly for hunting.

Advantages of a slingshot

• compactness and light weight;
• damage radius up to ten meters (there are models with a damage radius of up to 70 meters);
• noiselessness of the shot (often this is important);
• high shot power with minimal noise;
• easy repair or replacement of any part;
• versatility in relation to ammunition;
• noiselessness of the shot (often this is important);
• with good preparation of the hunter, a shot can be fired in an instant;
• an excellent product for training the eye, concealment skills, “silent hunting”, studying the habits of game, understanding the basics of ballistics;
• on the territory of Russia, a slingshot is not considered a weapon and does not require a license, registration or any other legalization;
• a hunting slingshot allows you to hit any target, it can be used in any conditions - fishing or walking;
• low cost of products.

When a slingshot is not a toy, but a weapon

Slingshot: drawing.
Naughty guys often use slingshots to carry out their “devious” plans. Everyone knows about this and does not take it seriously. However, even in ancient times, such devices were used as weapons when hunting small prey. And even today, many do not refuse this silent, simple-to-manufacture device that does not require special permission.

They are used for hunting, fishing, harvesting, etc. After all, in fact, a slingshot can become a powerful throwing weapon and not only cause injury, but also kill.

Do not point the slingshot at a person or other creature you do not want to harm.

Manufacturers of modern slingshots

It’s not enough to find a slingshot that fits the shape and parameters. It is very important to choose a quality product, because the modern slingshot market is filled with fakes, which often completely copy famous brands. It must be remembered that a good manufacturer will always provide a guarantee for their slingshot, and sellers’ assurances about the quality of their product are not a document that will help in case of defects. There have been numerous cases where a broken tourniquet led to injuries to the eyes or face, and a steel slingshot (made of an unknown alloy) that broke when pulled could have a broken piece stuck in the arm or face.

If funds allow, it is better to choose a slingshot manufactured by “Marksman” or “Combow”. The Italian slingshot brand “Advance” is also of good quality.

What you need to create a slingshot

• 5 mm thick wire or wooden spear;
• suitable tires;
• genuine leather or a very durable leather substitute;
• insulating tape;
• nylon threads;
• good glue.

First you need to make the metal body of the slingshot. As mentioned above, it can be with or without a stop. Or you can simply 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 slots for rubber at the ends of the horns and sand it. In the case when you will make a slingshot with your own hands from wire, you must first bend it, as shown in the figure, and insert a piece of hose into the forearm rest so that the surface does not cut into the hand. After this, you need to saw off a piece of wood, which will become the handle by which the shooter will hold his weapon. We split this workpiece in half, make slits in it where the wire will go, and then drill two holes for the bolts that will tightly tighten the steel body and both parts of the handle.

Ammunition and slingshot shooting

To shoot from a slingshot, you can use different objects, from stones under your feet to special “slingshot” projectiles.

• Rocks, rubble and other suitable objects are traditionally used for slingshot shooting. Due to their different sizes, shapes and weights, they fly along an unpredictable trajectory and are unsuitable over long distances;
• Glass balls allow you to track the trajectory of your flight, they are ideal in shape and weight, but flying fragments and high prices do not make them popular enough;
• Hunting buckshot is a cheap version of steel balls. Quite convenient projectiles, the disadvantage of which is their toxicity to the environment;
• Steel balls are ideal for use in slingshots. Their only drawback is their high price;
• Steel nuts can also be used as slingshot projectiles. Some hunters press lead into the middle of the nuts, making these projectiles deadly.

You can shoot from a slingshot at a distance of up to 25 meters, although this is not the limit. The main criterion for shooting accuracy is systematic training. There is a book that describes in detail the theory and practice of slingshot shooting (“Slingshot Shooting by Jack Koechler”).

You shouldn’t go hunting with a slingshot if you don’t have the necessary skills and you’re not confident in the power of your weapon, but sports or recreational shooting perfectly trains your eye and can bring a lot of joy.

Blitz tips

The skill of using a slingshot will appear after several fishing trips. The eyes and hands will begin to adapt themselves and understand at what angle they need to cast to the planned distances. You will only be able to vary your efforts when stretching the elastic band to increase flight accuracy.

The wind always becomes a hindrance:

• Lateral - the casting distance will, of course, remain the same, but the bait will scatter a little along the wiring line.
• Head-on - the distance will change when throwing, especially during gusty winds. We need to wait, wait for at least a little calm.

Slingshots of a new design will soon go on sale; it was invented by the British. The handle will serve as a place for tamping the feed. There the food will turn into a dense cylinder, and from there it should fly out over long distances.

The Shcherbakov brothers in the 60th issue recommend retracting the hand with the slingshot, and the cone with food is fixed at one point.

What rubber is most ideal for a slingshot?

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

The most durable rubber for a slingshot is the inner tube from a passenger car. However, in order for the projectile to travel far (as if released with a catheter), more force will be required from the shooter when drawing. But when hunting, you can be completely sure that the slingshot will serve for a long time.

An inner tube from a ball or a rubber bandage stretches two or even three times stronger than a car inner tube, but neither option can boast of durability. All because of hangnails. They are formed if you cut 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, it requires skill. This rubber is a very delicate material.

Correct shooting technique

Shooting from a slingshot
This concept includes two components: aiming and the hunter's stance. By mastering both correctly, you can achieve amazing results. Experienced hunters are able to hit a target that is not standing still. And it’s also not uncommon to shoot while you’re on the move.

In this light, two aiming techniques are worth considering.

Instinctive shooting

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

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

• If a hunter is poorly able to imagine the trajectory of a projectile, he is unlikely to achieve any success. This is the very imagination on which the method is based.
• The second is the fact that after replacing a worn out harness, you will have to spend some time shooting.

Mastering this method requires long training. But having mastered it, the hunter is unlikely to leave the forest without trophies.

Aiming with an eye

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

• You will have to aim with one eye, the one that is sharper.
• The reference point should be set slightly to the side, since the hand with the skin will be in close proximity to the face, and this fact can negatively affect accuracy.
• When choosing a reference overlay, you need to ensure that it matches your individual color sensibilities.

The essence of aiming with an eye comes down to the following: 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 adjusted eye can easily be used with several types of slingshots, simply by moving it from one to another, which can significantly improve hunting results.

Hunter Stance

When hunting with a slingshot, sometimes there is no time left to take the correct stance. Find support for your feet, fall on one knee, or vice versa, straighten up. All these movements in the forest, where any movement means danger for the animal, can scare away the prey, and you will have to spend some more time searching for it. Therefore, the hunter’s stance comes down 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 falling 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, coincides with the target, a shot is fired. "Infinity" is not the only option. The trajectory of the sight should be selected individually.
• Fixed aiming. At first glance, nothing complicated. Point 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 tense slingshot straight throughout the entire time of sight is not easy. 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 when hunting, this method is rarely used, since you can’t sit in an ambush with a slingshot, so this method of aiming is more suitable for sports competitions and shooting.

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

Review of several popular models

But let's go back to the store. Choosing a truly high-quality slingshot for hunting, and even a strong, accurate and durable one, is quite difficult for an inexperienced person. Therefore, here are a couple of the most popular models:

• Model FS-1 from Truemark. Very light. The kit includes a clip for shells. Removable hand rest. Designed almost 50 years ago, it is still one of the best-selling models.
• Survival Slingshot Archer Complete. Purely hunting model. The kit includes a flashlight. Arrows can be used.
• The so-called fighting slingshot. Collapsible model made of anodized aluminum. There is a large scatter when shooting, since the sighting part is too wide.
• The base is made of aircraft aluminum, which makes it lightweight. Due to 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 finding a slingshot to suit your needs will not be difficult.

Sources

• https://ribxoz.ru/zherlica-rogatka-v-letnee-vremya-goda/
• https://rybalka.guru/poleznye-stati/kak-lovit-shhuku-na-rogatku
• https://schukar.info/sposoby-lovli-schuki/na-zherlicy-letom.html
• https://samodelkifish.ru/samodelki_leto/samodelki_leto_kruzhki/zherlica-rogatka-dlya-lovli-shchuki/
• https://FishingDay.org/lovlya-shhuki-na-rogatku/
• https://1poklev.ru/primanki-dly-ryby/rogatka-dlya-zabrosa-prikormki
• https://ohota360.ru/rogatka-dlya-okhoty-svoimi-rukami.html
• https://extremale.ru/oruzhie/rogatka-dlja-ohoty-svoimi-rukami-chertezhi.html
• https://pohod-lifehack.ru/rogatka-dlya-ohoty/
• https://extremale.ru/dobyicha-edyi/rogatka-dlja-strelby-i-rybalki-svoimi-rukami.html
• https://USamodelkina.ru/14002-rogatka-dlja-strel-svoimi-rukami.html