I was telling my girls (15 and 13) how long I have been slinging and remembered when I first started in High School.  A friend's dad had spent some time in Argentina and had learned how to throw a sling there and taught his son, who then taught me while we were camping in the nearby mountains (I grew up at the base of a mountain and a 30 min. drive put us in the relatively wild country).  I was absolutely blown away by the speed and power of his throws and was determined to learn.  I made myself a sling out of old bootlaces and some scrap leather from a local craft shop. 

Out in the Great Salt Lake (Utah) there is an island called "Antelope Island"  They built a raised, paved road to allow people to visit the island and made it a State Park.  I knew there was lots of gravel from the roadbed, and plenty of space to throw out into the lake without fear of hurting anyone or anything, so that is where I went to throw.  It was only about 15 minutes drive from my home.  I was getting the hang of it and my distance and power were improving when all of a sudden a State Park Trooper pulled up with sirens on.  She ordered me to stop and asked me what I was doing.  She was obviously agitated.  I explained that I was practicing my sling and trying to be safe by throwing rocks into the lake and practicing here because it was remote.  She claimed that a passerby had seen me throwing, and claimed I was aiming for ducks in the water.  I was not really aiming for the ducks but I did know they were there.  Anyway, she confiscated the sling, which really annoyed me, and then she wrote me a ticket!!!! for...having a weapon in a state park!!!  I HAD TO MAKE A COURT APPEARANCE!! My Dad was a lawyer but was mad at me for getting in trouble and although he gave me some advice, told me I was on my own for this one.

I had an idea about how to handle my court appearance with the judge so I made a new sling out of the same materials and took it with me to court. I explained to the judge that I was fascinated with ancient weapons and had plans to become an archaeologist (this was completely true at the time) I explained that I had learned to make and use stone tools, primitive bows, arrows, atlatls, and now I was experimenting with slings, and asked if he would like to see one.  I showed him my sling and then explained my side of the story. We had a lengthy involved discussion about my interests and other weapons I had made and experimented with. He was very interested in hearing all about them.

My plan worked and the judge, who I correctly assumed was busy all day with crimes committed by teens with drug and alcohol issues, was so pleased with my fascination and serious study of ancient weapons and what he viewed as a "healthy addiction" that he dropped all the charges, waved my court fee and encouraged me to continue pursuing archaeology, with an admonishment to stay away from the state parks  .   

It was a fun memory to recall but stressful at the time it happened.  I faced a pretty good possibility of a large fine if I hadn't handled myself in court properly but I did and my dad was actually impressed with my strategy and tried to convince me again to be a lawyer...That didn't work.  Anyway I have already made this post too long, but I would love to hear other fun memories anyone else has. 
I am just so fascinated with the simplicity of the sling.  The fact that they can be made of such simple materials and be so deadly is just intriguing.

Great story, mountainman!

A great story is never too long.  Thanks for sharing.