As I prepare for my 6-week summer camping trip, my mind wanders again to the subject of safety. I also think about how to feed myself in an emergency situation, perhaps stranded after some natural disaster. If I trusted myself with a gun that would solve both problems.

Last year I purchased two stun guns and they give me a sense of peace, even knowing that it must touch a 2 or 4-legged creature for the charge to stun anything. This year I purchased a rather high-tech personal locator beacon in case of serious injury.

I decided that I need more safety and survival items. Never know when the zombie apocalypse will start. So, I have stopped by some survivalist websites and decided on……ta da……don’t laugh………

a sling shot. Now before you laugh, remember David and Goliath? A sling shot can be effective–if you have any sense of aim, which I do not. Hoping to increase my odds, I am also ordering a two boxes of metal” shots”, a bit more high-tech than David’s stones.

When would I use my slingshot? I could take down a fat wild turkey and other edible birds. I could annoy little critters who want to steal my food. I might even scare off a wolf or other predator.

I read all the reviews for many different sling shots and settled on the one below. I will spend some time practicing and will share my escapades (which way does it point?).

What next? I have also been reading up on simple fish traps. It is fascinating how ancient people made traps and/or set up barriers in streams/shorelines made from natural objects. In most states, traps are not legal for game fish but I like to think that if I were in a life and death situation, the authorities would forgive me a few plump rainbow trout. Traps are legal for crayfish, but I am not sure I want to tear apart those little guys for a small morsel.

I am not going all “survivalist” and stockpiling food. I simply cannot get that old Girl Scout mantra out of my head: “Be Prepared” as I plan my big adventure. Camping safety is number one!