In the book "Cache Lake Country" by John J. Rowlands there is a reference to a "sling stick" This device looks like an oversizes wooden spoon. The scoop part has a wide thong attached to it at the tip. When a stone is placed into the scoop the thong goes over top of the stone and is drawn tight and held by the thumb on the bottom of the "handle" part. The sling stick is used with and overhand cast, with the arm being extended back over the shoulder and whipped forward with an overhand casting motion. This is the first reference to a sling stick I've ever encountered. The book reports that birch, hickory, ash and maple make a good sling stick, and that pine and spruce are too soft. The sling stick being about two feet long and the handle somewhat smaller than a broom stick. I supose this could be used in places where there is some overhead clearance and little side room to use a standard type sling.
In addition the sling stick is used so that the stick pushes the stone, and not the thong pulling the stone in the cast.
So, now all you slingers have something else to build and play around with.
Have fun.
WalkingBird
Who likes living in the cyberstone age.