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Slingshots are small handheld weapons that can be used for hunting, and many folks enjoy this type of hunting.
Slingshots have evolved from simple designs that featured a short tree branch and rubber bands to more tactical models such as the wrist rocket.
The wrist rocket features an intuitive design that makes it very easy and convenient to use. It has a high-tension rubber capable of hunting game and killing it.
While some states outrightly ban the use of slingshots other states restrict their use but allow usage in some instances.
We outline all the states and indicate their laws on the use of slingshots for hunting.
Alabama
Yes
Legal for small game hunting except otherwise stated.
Can carry but not conceal
Anyone who carries concealed about his person brass knuckles, slingshots, or other weapons of like kind or description shall, on conviction, be fined not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00, and may also be imprisoned in the county jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.
Source:
Legal Methods of Hunting in Alabama
https://www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife-management-areas/legal-methods-hunting-alabama
Alaska
Yes
Legal for small game hunting
Source: See Alaska hunting regulations(http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/regulations/wildliferegulations/pdfs/general.pdf)
Arizona
Legal for all species listed in the source.
Source: Arizona hunting regulations (https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/azgfd-portal-wordpress-pantheon/wp-content/uploads/archive/2020-21-Arizona-Hunting-Regulations-200507.pdf)
Arkansas
Inconclusive
From our findings, it is possible that Arkansas allows slingshots for small-game hunting.
Source: Arkansas wildlife regulations
(https://apps.agfc.com/regulations/)
California
Yes
Legal for small game hunting
Source: California hunting regulations
http://carules.elaws.us/code/t.14_d.1_subd.2_ch.6_sec.475
Colorado
Yes
Can be used to hunt small game mammals and reptiles.
Illegal for minors.
Firing is prohibited anywhere in the cities.
Source:
Connecticut
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source: Unofficial
Delaware
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Air Gun Laws In Local Jurisdictions and Parks
https://airgunlaws.com/delaware-airgun-laws/
State Laws and Published Ordinances – Delaware
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/guide/delaware-firearms-statutes-and-codes/download
Florida
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission
https://myfwc.com/hunting/regulations/
Georgia
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Georgia Airgun Laws and Hunting Regulations
https://airgunlaws.com/georgia-airgun-laws/
Senate Bill 319 By: Senators Anavitarte of the 31st, Payne of the 54th, Thompson of the 14th, Robertson of the 29th, Hickman of the 4th and others
https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20212022/207823
Hawaii
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/huntered/files/2013/05/MammalHuntingRegs_Chap123.pdf
No person shall possess or use tracer bullets, bullets with full metal jackets, blow guns, guns powered by compressed gas, handguns, animal traps, slingshots, crossbows, poison, explosives, or snares.
Legal game mammal hunting weapons include rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows and arrows, and spears and knives. Only weapons that are authorized for the particular hunt are to be in the hunter’s possession, while in the public hunting area.
Idaho
Yes
It is allowed except otherwise stated.
Firing is prohibited anywhere in the cities.
Source:
IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/2021%20Archive/13/130109.pdf
Illinois
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Hunting and Trapping in Illinois
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/adrules/Documents/17-110.pdf#search=sling
Indiana
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Iowa
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Kansas
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
https://ksoutdoors.com/Hunting/Hunting-Regulations/Other-Wildlife
Kentucky
Yes
Allowed for small game animals such as squirrels, rabbits, northern bobwhite (quail), and grouse.
Source:
Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
https://fw.ky.gov/Hunt/Pages/Squirrel-Hunting.aspx
Louisiana
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Louisiana State Legislature
https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=104867
Maine
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
A bill was drawn up and sent to the legislature in 2003, it was last reviewed in 2015, but it did not pass and is not expected to pass.
See Session – 127th Maine Legislature https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/bills_127th/billtexts/SP010501.asp
Source:
Maine Hunting Laws
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/docs/22-MDIFW-11-Hunting-Lawbook-2022-23.pdf
Maryland
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Massachusetts
No
It seems slingshots are generally not accepted in the state of Massachusetts
Source:
The 192nd General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter269/Section12
Michigan
Yes
Allowed for small game animals.
Source:
Michigan Hunting Digest
Minnesota
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Mississippi
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Missouri
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
https://mdc.mo.gov/hunting-trapping/regulations/general-hunting-regulations
Montana
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Nebraska
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Nevada
No
It is This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game. It is unlawful to possess.
Source:
New Hampshire
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
New Jersey
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
New Mexico
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
New York
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
New York permits people to have slingshots. Although, all slingshots with wrist straps are banned.
Source:
North Carolina
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
North Dakota
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Ohio
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Oklahoma
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Small Game/Hog Regulations
https://www.eregulations.com/oklahoma/hunting/small-game-hog-regulations
Oregon
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Pennsylvania
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Rhode Island
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
South Carolina
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
South Dakota
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
SOUTH DAKOTA GAME, FISH, AND PARKS
https://gfp.sd.gov/camping-regulations/
Tennessee
Yes
There is no official document stating that slingshots are allowed for hunting small game animals. However, It is not listed among legal or illegal weapons for hunting.
Source:
Texas
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Utah
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Vermont
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
Virginia
Yes
It is allowed for all game animals except otherwise stated
Source:
Code of Virginia
https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title29.1/chapter5/section29.1-519/
Washington
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
West Virginia
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
Wisconsin
No
This state does not allow slingshots for hunting any game.
Source:
https://dnr.wi.gov/About/WCC/Documents/spring_hearing/2019/Resolutions/680519.pdf
Wyoming
Yes
It is allowed for small game animals except otherwise stated.
Source:
In all, about 32 states allow slingshots for hunting certain games while others do not allow any form of hunting with slingshots.
This article should only serve as a resource for viewing the laws guiding the use of slingshots across different states in the US.
For clarification or missing references contact the state directly for more information.
