Javelins/atlatl

[NCO]

There's been a lot of talk about slingshots as a BoB hunting weapon. But what about the caveman style javelin? Make it on the run and kill a deer?

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That sort of thing gives a light javelin a lot more punch.

[RangerXanatos]

With my luck, I'd be tossing a pin wheel trying to use that.

[your_comforting_company]

I took some bones out of the maceration bucket just a day or two ago. I aim to use the ulna-radius for a new scraper, and the femur as an atlatl handle. I believe it to be a field expedient hunting weapon that can be fashioned out of many different materials. They don't necessarily need to be stone-tipped either.
You can't find rubber bands for your slingshot in the woods.

[kyratshooter]

Nope, when you get the hang of it, it is easy. They were once the hi-tech hunting tool world wide.

You hold the dart balanced on the hook and your fingers and throw it like you would darts at a dart board. Two or three throws and you are challenging everyone around on distance. I had a bunch of teens at a survival camp 3-4 years back that were making their own atal-atals and darts from materials at hand and throwing 100 yards within the first half hour.

They were walking the field archery range and posting fair scores against the bow shooters after a couple of days.

You can knock a thrower and a couple of darts out in an hour even if you are slow. And the darts are not as picky as arrows. You can fletch them with anything, tip them with anything and as long as they are reasonably straight they will fly well.

The thrower needs to be longer than the one shown too.

Sorry YCC you slid your post in while I was typing.

[Rick]

Here some pics I posted a couple of years ago. These were taken at a museum in Arizona.


Overall view:
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Finger holes:
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Notch to hold shaft:
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Balance weight:
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[Justin Case]

Deadly !,,,,,,,,

[Rick]

You're supposed to throw them, not catch them. Sheesh.

[NCO]

I'm going to make one today...

[hunter63]

I took some bones out of the maceration bucket just a day or two ago. I aim to use the ulna-radius for a new scraper, and the femur as an atlatl handle. I believe it to be a field expedient hunting weapon that can be fashioned out of many different materials. They don't necessarily need to be stone-tipped either.
You can't find rubber bands for your slingshot in the woods.

This would make a lot of sense, as you can make one with found materials.
Maybe even try one my self.

[Rick]

You can't find rubber bands for your slingshot in the woods.

I take it you've never heard of a rubber tree?

[your_comforting_company]

I have heard of them. Don't think they grow around here tho. Maybe you guys have them up north? I usually only find replacement parts for wristrockets at wal-mart. Can't say I've ever seen one in a tree or on a bush.

[Erratus Animus]

Actually I think making a survival bow is not worth the trouble when the atlatl can be made easier and is more powerful. I am a bowyer so I do know what is involved in making a bow. I also found that at close range I had decent accuracy with the atlatl. It was very easy to make and was ready in 20 min.

Look for a limb that is 3/4 to 1" thick and has 1/4" branches growing off it. If you turn the limb upside down and trim all the branches off except for one you have a ready made handle. The branch you left on just need to be trimmed so that you leave am inch of it behind. This where the dart will hook up at. Simple simple.

[roar-k]

I haven't thought of the atatl per se, but I have been thinking of buying a spear. Coldsteel has a few types of spears I have been interested in:

Samburu:

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The Assegai:

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And of course the Boar Spear:

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They are not too terribly expensive and you can buy the heads separately if needed.

[lucznik]

Actually I think making a survival bow is not worth the trouble when the atatla... is more powerful.

Are you sure about this? I'm pretty sure any hunting-weight (40#+) bow would prove significantly more powerful and more efficient than an atlatl.

It would likely prove easier to shoot accurately as well.

[kyratshooter]

I really look at this as a process.

If caught in the wilderness with no other weapons I am finding the first good combo spear/digging stick/critter swatter within a couple of minutes.

After shelter and water are secured an atal-atal will be on the priority list right after setting snares.

That will have to suffice as I am gathering makings for the bow.

My fervent hope is that I am rescued before I finish the bow.

That is plan A

[huskymill]

definately something to think about,
great post!!

[Erratus Animus]

Are you sure about this? I'm pretty sure any hunting-weight (40#+) bow would prove significantly more powerful and more efficient than an atlatl.


It would likely prove easier to shoot accurately as well.

Plz keep this in the terms of the context which between a survival bow and and atlatl. Any bow you make in the woods to survive is a survival bow. Without exception I am positive of this. Keep in mind what a survival bow is and is not. Also keep in mind that the bow will lose power every time it is shot, and I am not even talking about the set that the bow will surely have taken. Let's address cordage needed to power a bow. You may have 550 strands but because of the stretch of the strands again even more power loss.

An atlatl is a better choice than a survival bow IMO due too the above facts and it is easier to construct due to less tools needed, ,materials are abundant most anywhere - bow woods are not-, accuracy is pretty good even for a beginner.

Most ppl dont realized that along the southern coast and swamp areas that Native Americans did on make bows as often as they did the atlatl. This is due in part to the availability of woods that made a decent bow.

So if it came down to building a bow or atlatl in a survival situation I would build the atlatl , burn fewer calories , be equipped to hunt faster, have the same effective range, ease of replacement if needed, fewer tools needed to make, etc

E A

[mouse111111]

Problems with hunting with an atlotl, swiss arrow, etc... is that you have to use your entire body to launch the missile. With this much movement you will certainly spook a whitetail, even if you have deadly accuracy the animal will be gone before the dart gets to the target. Atlotls were used in the militery much like the europeans used bows, and how the modern militery uses assault rifles... spray and pray.
It can work for less frighful animals though.

[Rick]

I'm pretty certain if some off us put our whole body in it an atlatl would sail well past our intended target. Some of us have enough body to put one in orbit.

[Mad Cow]

Are you sure about this? I'm pretty sure any hunting-weight (40#+) bow would prove significantly more powerful and more efficient than an atlatl.

It would likely prove easier to shoot accurately as well.

No doubt about it. The atl atl is a decent weapon, and it will kill deer, but it is not something you get proficient with instantly, and does not have near the range or hit with the authority of a decent bow. And while a bow is more labor incentive, they can be made instantly by cutting a limb off a tree and tying a string to the tips. I was also under the impression the atl atl was legal in some states for deer ?