Skip to comments.
Spare deer from spears, state panel urges [Pennsylvania]
McCall.coom ^
| 1-11-06
| Christian Berg
Posted on 01/11/2006 6:30:36 PM PST by SJackson
When it comes to deer hunting, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials prefer the atlatl to remain part of ancient history.
That's the position agency staffers are taking with a proposal that would allow hunters to pursue whitetails with atlatls, prehistoric weapons that use a wooden frame to propel 6-foot-long darts at speeds up to 80 mph.
Atlatl use dates back more than 8,000 years in Pennsylvania and far longer elsewhere in North America and Europe. The name, usually pronounced AT-lad-ul, is derived from an Aztec word for ''throwing board.''
For years, atlatl hunters in Pennsylvania have had to hone their skills in obscurity, hurling the darts at paper targets on private property and at competitions.
Their quest for legitimacy has generated a flood of interest. ''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart'' traveled to Pennsylvania for an amusing look at the sport that aired last week.
(Excerpt) Read more at mcall.com ...
TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: atlatl; bang; deer; hunting
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-52 next last
1
posted on
01/11/2006 6:30:37 PM PST
by
SJackson
To: Iowa Granny; Ladysmith; Diana in Wisconsin; JLO; sergeantdave; damncat; MozartLover; ...
If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest outdoors list, please FRmail me.
2
posted on
01/11/2006 6:31:08 PM PST
by
SJackson
(Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. B. Franklin)
To: SJackson
Gee, I'd rather hunt deer with a horse and lance, or failing that, a halberd. Or chase them into a pike formation...
To: SJackson
Here's my preferred weapon:
4
posted on
01/11/2006 6:35:30 PM PST
by
Cicero
(Marcus Tullius)
To: King Moonracer
You mean we can't use trained cheetahs like the Africans did at one time?
5
posted on
01/11/2006 6:35:54 PM PST
by
phoenix0468
(http://www.mylocalforum.com -- Go Speak Your Mind.)
To: SJackson
Wow, its all I can do to kill deer with my 30.06!
To: SJackson
Spare deer from spears, state panel urges![](http://www.myclassiclyrics.com/images2/britney_spears_lyrics.jpg)
Spare deer? Spare us!
To: Cicero
I was looking at Wolf Blitzer's head this evening. A perfect object for that.
8
posted on
01/11/2006 6:48:20 PM PST
by
beyond the sea
("If someone is callin' you from Al Queda, we want to know why.")
To: SJackson
Looks like interesting sport
9
posted on
01/11/2006 6:55:56 PM PST
by
mylife
(The roar of the masses could be farts)
To: SJackson
I read about these several years ago. A guy researching their use in prehistoric societies claimed he killed an elephant with one.
10
posted on
01/11/2006 6:57:45 PM PST
by
saganite
(The poster formerly known as Arkie 2)
To: saganite
I,ve never heard of such a weapon. I want to see one and can't find a picture.
11
posted on
01/11/2006 7:04:06 PM PST
by
WVNan
To: SJackson
What is the difference in hunting dear with a rifle, bow or spear?
12
posted on
01/11/2006 7:09:27 PM PST
by
Americanexpat
(A strong democracy through citizen oversight.)
To: WVNan
Do a google search for Atlatl and you'll see many pictures of them.
13
posted on
01/11/2006 7:09:58 PM PST
by
Dr.Zoidberg
(Mohammedism - Bringing you only the best of the 6th century for fourteen hundred years.)
To: Dr.Zoidberg
Can you spear an ixitachitl with an atlatl?
To: mylife; PoorMuttly
15
posted on
01/11/2006 7:18:11 PM PST
by
Squantos
(Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
To: Americanexpat
What is the difference in hunting dear with a rifle, bow or spear? Very basically, 80 to 180 grains at 2,000 to 3,000 feet per second, vs 400 to 600 grains at 200 to 300 FPS vs the spear weight at 100 fps. I've no idea what kind of energy the spear develops, but my guess it would easily kill a deer. If they're an objection, I'll speculate that people consider it "barbaric".
16
posted on
01/11/2006 7:19:09 PM PST
by
SJackson
(Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. B. Franklin)
To: SJackson
I'm in favor of allowing PA hunters to kill deer with the atlatl. What's the big whoop -- the aim is to trim the exploding deer population so we don't have to worry about them running out in front of our cars or damaging our gardens.
17
posted on
01/11/2006 7:20:02 PM PST
by
Ciexyz
(Let us always remember, the Lord is in control.)
To: Ciexyz
"I'm in favor of allowing PA hunters to kill deer with the atlatl. What's the big whoop -- the aim is to trim the exploding deer population so we don't have to worry about them running out in front of our cars or damaging our gardens."
Or bringing along the inevitable predators, like the cougar that RAN RIGHT THROUGH MY BACKYARD.
18
posted on
01/11/2006 7:22:53 PM PST
by
Windcatcher
(Earth to libs: MARXISM DOESN'T SELL HERE. Try somewhere else.)
To: SJackson
Alabama has a season for hunting deer with a spear. We had this fight a few years back. It's not as big a deal as it's made out to be. First of all, the left opposes it 'cause they're against all hunting. Secondly, you've got to be real good with the spear to take down an animal with one. Lastly, since rifles, shotguns, and heck, even bows are so much easier to use, most people don't use spears for hunting.
MUZZELLOADER AND BOW AND ARROW (INCLUDING CROSSBOWS) AND SPEAR -STALK HUNTING ONLY (NO DOGS), two deer per day only one of which may be an antlered buck (Two unantlered deer or one unantlered deer and one antlered deer , except Spotted Fawns). See Special Antler Restriction For Barbour County.
To: SJackson
Better a spear than the front of my car. I pass at least a half a dozen dead deer a day near my house in PA.
20
posted on
01/11/2006 7:23:10 PM PST
by
rampage8
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-52 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson