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The weapons used for hunting are extraordinarily diverse. They range from the most primitive devices, such as slingshots and bows, through to modern hunting rifles with sophisticated optical sights.

Weapons

In hunting, the most important considerations are to choose the right weapon for your intended prey, to know how to use that weapon fluently and maintain it in good condition. Selecting the right weapon for hunting can be a complicated process, not least because different types of weapon are suited to different types of prey. To take an obvious example, a .22 airgun would serve as a useful hunting weapon for small game up to the size of a rabbit, depending upon the model and the sight options. Use the same weapon against a fox, however, and the likely result is a wounded animal running off into the wilderness. Take on a bear with an air rifle and you run the risk of being killed by a creature that has received nothing more than an irritating localized skin wound. Conversely, a .338 Win Mag rifle will comfortably bring down a large deer or bear if the shot placement is accurate, but it will obliterate many smaller game, rendering them useless for eating.

Remember that in hunting your objective is not simply to kill an animal cleanly, but also to kill it cleanly and leave it in a fit state for consumption. The author remembers early forays into the field rabbiting with a 12-gauge shotgun. While the gun did indeed prove fit for the job, some sobering close-range shots resulted in little more than a bloody mess rather than a tasty meal. The lesson learnt by many hunters is that not only should you choose the right weapon for the job, but you should also become familiar with the performance characteristics of that weapon across its range spectrum, and adjust your hunting technique accordingly.

Steady Shot

A monopod - purpose-designed or improvised - can provide a useful frontal support for a rifle when taking a standing shot. Ensure the monopod is set on firm, non-slip ground.

Basic Hunting Weapons

Most of us identify hunting weapons with firearms, and indeed sporting guns will form a large part of the focus of this chapter. Yet there are many other types of weapon that can be used in hunting (depending on local or national restrictions) that are far less advanced but which can still do a respectable job of bringing down prey. Some of these can even be constructed with basic tools and pressed into service in a survival situation.

For small birds and game up to the size of rabbits, squirrels and similar mammals, a slingshot or catapult (as it is more commonly known in the UK) is one convenient and near noiseless hunting weapon. A basic catapult can be bought from a fishing or hunting supplier, and the cheapest models will be within almost everyone's budget. Mass-produced slingshots are light in weight, feature resilient plastic handles and have efficient rubber thrust bands with exceptional elasticity. Using the correct ammunition (either small, round stones or purpose-designed BB pellets), even the most basic slingshot will have a practical range of 10-20m (32-65ft). However, the more powerful variants feature wrist supports, stabilizers (to ensure a consistent and stable grip), sights (ranging from simple open 'iron' sights through to optical and even laser scopes) and a draw distance from the front grip hand to the opposite side of the chest.

Slings

A slingshot can, with practice, hit and kill suitable prey at distances of 30m (100ft) and more. Choose varieties fitted with thrust bands made from surgical tubing, as this type of band is the most reliable and powerful. Steel ball ammunition is available in a variety of calibres, ranging from 6.4mm (0.25in) for very small birds and animals, right up to 12.7mm (0.5in) for rabbits, squirrels, etc. Smaller ammunition will have a higher initial launch velocity, but will slow more quickly as it meets air resistance, whereas the heavier ammunition will fly further and truer. A good mid-weight, multi-purpose ball size is 9.7mm (0.38in).

Legal Hunting

Many countries and local governments enforce strict restrictions on what weapons can be used for hunting animals, particularly larger ones such as deer, elk and bear. Often, these restrictions relate to calibre and muzzle velocity, ensuring that the weapon has enough power to deliver a clean kill against a sizeable creature. You need to comply with these restrictions to the letter, as contraventions could result in your firearms being confiscated or even criminal charges being filed against you. You might also be required to obtain licences for hunting. You should also check that your ammunition type is authorized. For example, in the UK it is illegal to hunt wildfowl with lead shot - only steel shot is accepted. Law enforcement or relevant government agencies will usually provide you with documentation concerning all hunting restrictions, so read it through carefully before heading out into the field.

Note that you can make a simple slingshot yourself using a forked branch (hazel wood is ideal for this component) and an elastic material, fitted with a pouch in the centre to take the projectile. You can use regular clothing elastic for the thrust band, although this tends to deliver limited power and quickly loses its elasticity when overstretched. As mentioned it is far better to use a piece of surgical rubber tubing, if available, or the rubber from a tyre inner tube. Whatever device you have, practise regularly with it, increasing your accurate range steadily and getting used to judging the rise and fall of the ball in flight.

Slingshot

The slingshot is a classic and very ancient hunting weapon. Select small, smooth stones about 2-3cm (0.8-1.1in) across as ammunition.

Catapult

This modern catapult features a sight (the two graduated prongs extending inwards from the catapult arms) and stabilizers to balance the weapon in the hand.

Bow and Arrow

At the more advanced end of tension-powered weaponry is the bow and arrow. It is worth remembering that the bow and arrow was mankind's premier hunting weapon for thousands of years, as well as a weapon of war, and is to be respected as such. Indeed, bow hunting remains a popular sport in North America and elsewhere, with the most capable bows able to kill prey as large as bear and elk.

Ergonomic Design

This advanced catapult utilizes a plastic frame in a innovative way. The aperture at the bottom is used to take a flashlight, making night hunting possible.

As with slingshots, professional man-made bows are your best weapons for hunting. When selecting a hunting bow, there are two primary decisions to be made. The first is whether you opt for a short bow or a long bow. A short bow is generally regarded as being under 1.65m (5ft 5in) in length, although more realistically they are about 0.9m (3ft) long. The advantage of a short bow is its portability and its short draw length, making it compact to lug about the field and quick to use on a target of opportunity. Moreover, the dimensions mean that a short bow is convenient to use from confined spaces, such as a hide. The disadvantages of the short bow can be a very heavy pull to get to full draw length, and a limited range - the shorter draw length means that there is less kinetic energy stored up in the bow before release.

US Army Tip: Simple Hunting Weapons

Rabbit stick - one of the simplest and most effective killing devices is a stout stick as long as your arm, from fingertip to shoulder, called a 'rabbit stick'. You can throw it either overhand or sidearm and with considerable force. It is best thrown so that it flies sideways, increasing the chance of hitting the target. It is very effective against small game that stops and freezes as a defence.

Sling - you can make a sling by tying two pieces of cordage, each about 60cm (24in) long, at opposite ends of a palm-sized piece of leather or cloth. Place a rock in the cloth and wrap one cord around your middle finger and hold in your palm. Hold the other cord between your forefinger and thumb. To launch the rock, spin the sling several times in a circle and release the cord between your thumb and forefinger. Practice to gain proficiency. The sling is very effective against small game.

Long bows, by contrast, are more unwieldy (especially if you are intending to hunt in thick bush) but have better range (and accuracy over distance). They also have an easier draw. Note, however, that short bows are better for rapid shooting, as less time is spent drawing back the bowstring. The important point is that the right bow for you not only depends on your hunting requirements, but also on your physical limitations. For this reason, purchase a bow from a reputable bow supplier who will fit you with a bow ideally suited to your height, strength and body shape.

Once you have decided on a short bow or long bow, the next major choice is recurve or compound. The recurve bow shape is the traditional bow format - the tips of the bow curve away from the shooter and the bow is fitted with a single bowstring. Recurve bows can be both accurate and powerful, delivering ranges in excess of 100m (328ft), but the tension in the bow string and the physical strength required to draw the bow convincingly means that they require considerable practice to master. The...