Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Spear Hunting

Spears have been used as a weapon for hunting since the dawn of man. Even highly functioning animals, such as chimps and orangutans, have been observed fashioning spears from twigs and tree branches. Originally, the hunter would simply sharpen the end of a long stick by peeling away the bark and gnawing at the wood until the desired point was achieved. As humans advanced in intelligence and knowledge, rocks such as obsidian and bronze or iron metals were fashioned into tips shaped like triangles and tied to the end of a pole with rawhide. Evidence of ancient spears used by man can be traced back to over 300,000 years ago. Spear hunting was common on virtually every inhabited continent. Stone arrowheads, used by North American Indians can be found in fields and pastures all over North America, especially in the Midwestern United States.

Often the hunters would throw the spears, especially if they were hunting wild game. Boars, deer, gazelles and other animals that ran in herds or groups were usually the targets of spear throwers. Throwing into the herd or group would frequently slow down at least one animal to allow for an easy catch. Another target for spear hunting was birds. An experienced spear hunter easily brought down waterfowl such as ducks and geese as well as land birds including quail, wild turkeys and pheasant.

Spearing fish was also a common practice, although thrusting the spear rather than throwing it over large distances was usually done. The hunter could stand at the edge of a stream or lake or crouch on a rock midstream and quietly wait until a fish, crab or lobster came within reach of the spear. Rushing streams that contained spawning fish such as tuna and salmon were a favorite of human and animal hunters alike. Spears were viewed as a symbol of virility and manliness just as firearms are today. Those who were expert with the spear and brought home the most food to eat were revered as leaders and were the most desirable among the females of the group. Spears were often decorated with carvings and beads to represent the personality of the owner.

Spear hunting is still practiced today by Alaskan Eskimos and isolated African tribes as well as those who wish for the challenge not afforded with a firearm. Rocker Ted Nugent, famous for such hits as "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Stranglehold" practices spear hunting along with the many environmental issues he advocates.

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