Spare deer from spears, state panel urges [Pennsylvania]

McCall.coom ^ | 1-11-06 | Christian Berg

[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.

[SJackson]

World Atlatl Association

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this Upper Midwest outdoors list, please FRmail me.

[King Moonracer]

Gee, I'd rather hunt deer with a horse and lance, or failing that, a halberd. Or chase them into a pike formation...

[Cicero]

Here's my preferred weapon:

[phoenix0468]

You mean we can't use trained cheetahs like the Africans did at one time?

[southernerwithanattitude]

Wow, its all I can do to kill deer with my 30.06!

[Reaganesque]

Spare deer from spears, state panel urges

Spare deer? Spare us!

[beyond the sea]

I was looking at Wolf Blitzer's head this evening. A perfect object for that.

[mylife]

Looks like interesting sport

[saganite]

I read about these several years ago. A guy researching their use in prehistoric societies claimed he killed an elephant with one.

[WVNan]

I,ve never heard of such a weapon. I want to see one and can't find a picture.

[Americanexpat]

What is the difference in hunting dear with a rifle, bow or spear?

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Do a google search for Atlatl and you'll see many pictures of them.

[Appalled but Not Surprised]

Can you spear an ixitachitl with an atlatl?

[Squantos]

narf !......:o)

[SJackson]

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".

[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.

[Windcatcher]

"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.

[Alas Babylon!]

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.

[rampage8]

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.