Its easy to kill crickets without a sling, just run and stomp to engage them. I've gilled at least 4 deer, 4 crickets, 2 rabbits and a snake since the update, and didn't use a ranged weapon on any of them. The first deer was actually before I realised they had been changed, I figured something was up as it wouldn't let me walk up to it.
Just to reiterate for Jolar, add right click unload, so weapons can be unequipped without wasting a shot.
Also I don't know if its my aim (quite likely) or differences in height between target and shooter aren't taken into account. I managed to hit the bear (which pis... annoyed it) when it was on the same level as me, but if it was down a slope (not ridge) or up, I missed.