Yea, it was comical when I went to find a slingshot. There I was amongst high-power rifles and ammo, hi-power bows and arrows with razor tips and all sorts of other "safe" stuff. And when the guy answered, when I asked about a slingshot, that "They're illegal" in New Jersey I almost burst out laughing. He told me they're illegal in NY, too.

Bow and Arrow vs. slingshot.

Used both. Didn't like using the bow near other houses -- too powerful; not to mention not recommended if it's been, like, decades since you last shot one. But...with judicious "creeping up on" how far to pull back for the job at hand, I finally got an arrow where I wanted it. But I was worried that a cop was gonna hassle me, or worse, all the time I was doing that.

Slingshot -- MUCH easier (without practice) and, IMHO, safer than the bow. I found it a LOT easier to aim -- got the sinker right where I wanted it the first time I used it. So the time spent outside using it is much shorter than with a bow (at least for a non-expert). YMMV (and looks like it does!)


BTW...the bow and arrows came from a hamfest!





Quote Originally Posted by N2RJ View Post
Bows and arrows are not illegal here, and that seems to be a better alternative for many. I might invest in a good crossbow. No permit required and there are no "no discharge" laws here. Funny how they don't have a problem with the bow and arrow but have a cow over a slingshot.

In another club I used to belong to (Ramapo mtn ARC) they had one or two guys who were experts with a fishing pole. They were able to get the lead sinker up so high with just a fishing pole and casting reel. Field day was perhaps more entertaining watching them do that than actually operating.