I used a sling for about 2 weeks as a kid when I first started after eastern wood chucks. After missing about 2 shot opportunties, I decided I was out there to hunt, and have not used a sling since.
This fall I hope to use about a 14 lb Sharps on elk. Given the price of the sights on that rifle, there's no way I'm going to let the muzzle or tang pass through the woods unattended.
When the hands get old and arthritic, I may change my tune. If I'm out there to pack an elk or moose back to camp though, carrying the rifle out seems like a piece of cake.
The last issue for me is that there's always a risk of falling in snow or on steep slopes. With the rifle in hand, I can control where it goes in about 95% of those instances. Attached to my torso, I have no such control. 1Minute
Last edited by 1minute; 06/16/08.
