The Beanshooter Slingshot Man

The 65 year old Rufus Hussey is without a doubt the most awesome slingshot shooter in the land. Born and raised in North Carolina on a farm, Rufus learned his slingshot skills out of necessity.  He had to use his slingshot for hunting rabbit because his older brother was the one who got to use the shotgun.

Rufus appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and was interviewed by Charles Kuralt.

Carolina Camera: The Sling Shot Man

Rufus Hussey… The Beanshooter Man Passed Away In 1994

In 1972 Rufus decided to start making beanshooters to sell or give away in order to promote what he felt was becoming a lost art. He gave each its own serial number which he recorded on the butt-end of the handle. Rufus passed away in Feb. of 1994. The last beanshooter he had completed carried the number 15,864. Now that's a lot of walking the woods searching for Dogwood forks.

In his later years Rufus became quite famous shooting his beanshooter to the amazement of country and city-folk alike. He appeared on many TV shows where he demonstrated his skill. One TV host asked… “Rufus, I understand you can knock a quarter out of the air with that thing! Is that right?” Rufus responded… “I can hit a penny…. but when it gets that cheap, it’s time to quit!”

via Rufus Hussey… The Beanshooter Man.