Spear hunting could quite possibly be the oldest method of hunting in the world. The only thing that could be simpler would be throwing a heavy rock or a heavy stick. Spears and spear hunting has been around since as far back as 400,000 years ago according to archaeological digs in Germany. Spear hunting has even been observed in different primates, including the western chimpanzee and the orangutan. Spear hunting became so prominent with early man it is a theorized that hunters with spears helped cause the Quaternary extinction event by killing so many herbivores. The reason spears rose the prominence was their simplicity, with the most basic spears being sharpened sticks.
Spear hunting walked hand in hand with cultures across the world, and the use of spears has been tracked to Europe, a pre-Columbus America, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Asia, and everywhere in between. Spears have been used for hunting game of all sizes, which ranges from deer, pigs, to buffalo, and even fish. Spears evolved over time to become more effective, and easier to wield. This includes spear heads being made from rocks, bronze, iron, and steel.
Modern spear hunting originated and was championed by veteran and legendary spear hunter Gene Morris. Gene Morris campaigned to legalize spear hunting in his home state of Alabama, and even opened a museum dedicated to spear hunting. Spear hunting grew slowly, but surely, and is now not uncommon to see as an option of modern hunting ranches across the United States.
Technique
Technique is important, technique can really be everything. This includes the fact that technique is split between two main hunting methods and you should choose and master a technique, or master both. The techniques that permeate spear hunting is stalking, and still hunting. Both are difficult, both can be dangerous, and both are not something one should take lightly. Both hunting techniques require the same base level skills, but outside of base skill levels one has to adapt and conform to the skills required of their chosen discipline.
Spear Skills
Spears are not tools to be trifled with. If you aren’t willing to dedicate yourself to the art of using a spear, stop reading, and go away. There is two reasons why learning to use a spear the right way is critical. First off is the hunter safety aspect. Hunting with a spear is more dangerous than hunting with a gun, or even a bow. If you miss with a spear you may only scare the game away. If you miss a vital spot on your chosen game then you may have to face a wild wounded animal, which is never safe. The second reason is to be humane. When it comes to hunting we have to be humane in our efforts, we owe that to the animals that we hunt. If we appear to only be causing an animal pain then spear hunting will quickly be outlawed, so hunt humanely. Practice your spear throw, be accurate, and be deadly.
Stalking
Stalking is the art of following, tracking, and finding your game in an active manner. Stalking involves actively tracking your game, hunting by foot. A stalker needs to observant, to be able to move quietly, and to be able to use their spear quickly.
Stalking requires a user to be aware of the fact that animals are much better at sensing you than you are at sensing them. The two most common game animals in the United States, deer and hog, have a much better sense of hearing and smell than humans. They do happen to have a poorer sight matrix than humans. Some of these animals can have a smell capability a 100 times better than humans.
With this in mind you have to prepare for stalking. Stalking requires heavy use of products that eliminate your smell. This includes products like no scent. These no scent products should be applied to your laundry, your showers, and your deodorants. You want to be scentless.
You also want to be able to move silently, or as close as silently as possible. You want to practice moving in a very specific manner. You want to probe for breakable twigs and sticks with your non dominant leg. Stalkers should walk heel to toe, meaning keeping their feet in a straight line. As they move in a heel to toe method their weight should be placed on their rear foot, with the front foot being used as a probe for these noisy breakables. Hunters need to be aware of how their entire body affects the world around you, which includes how your chest and shoulder touch limbs and brush, and how your knees and shins shake the base of these same bushes.
Still Hunting
Still hunting involves a hunter’s ability to conquer his or her mind. Still hunting involves an excellent degree of patience, camouflage and skill. A still hunter attracts animals to their position, and allows them to use their spear at their convenience. A spear hunter must be patient, and unexcitable.
Still hunter must exercise the same degree of camouflage and scent cover up, but to a greater degree. You are attempting to lure your game into a trap, and to do so you have to master being camouflaged to your environment. As a still hunter you must also master stillness, which can be extremely difficult. Being still requires someone to only make the moves necessary to score a kill.
Still hunting requires the user to be patient enough to allow the game to come within range of him or her, and present them for a vital shot. This means the deer could be in range of your spear, but fails to expose itself for a vital hit. This can be infinitely frustrating. But the still hunter must be cautious, careful, and patient.
Both hunting styles have their strengths, and weaknesses, and both have their own unique challenges. One of the more important things to remember is that spear hunting in general can be quite dangerous. Especially when you consider the animal you are hunting.
Modern Spear design
The modern spear is far from a sharpened stick these days. Modern production has made spears lighter, easier to use and deadlier. However, the main aspect of the spear remains the same. The modern spear can be used to throw or to lunge with, and still relies on a sharpened point to deal damage.
Ancient spears were more often designed for battle, with some models being adopted and adapted for hunting. Hunting spears are traditionally shorter and lighter, better suited for animals. Modern spear design in mostly made for hunting, and not for going to war. Since spear hunting is becoming more popular we are seeing major knife manufacturers approach the idea of making a hunting spear.
United Cutlery has adopted the idea of forming a modern spear with the M48. The M48’s biggest modern design influence is the handle. The M48’s handle is made from 30% fiberglass reinforced nylon. This material is not only light, but is stronger than wood. The M48 is easier to throw, and allows a hunter to throw a spear with more control and velocity.
More traditional spears, like the Cold Steel Boar hunter, still use wood as a handle, but use lighter and stronger wood that is coated and finished for better elemental resistance. The metal itself is also much stronger, and easier to sharpen. A sharp spear cuts through flesh with ease, and makes it easier to use a spear over and over without sharpening the spear head. Modern spear design is continually improving, and as the sport of spear hunting grows I imagine we’ll see spears that are more effective, stronger, and lighter.
Boar Hunting with a Spear
Boar and Spear hunting go hand in hand. In fact it’s a long standing tradition throughout the world to hunt wild boar with a spear. Spear hunting of boar is often called pig sticking, and is an old sport. Pig sticking became popular with the Imperial British military and was actively encouraged. The military felt that the challenge, and the skills, both physical and mental, was those that officers needed to develop.
A special spear was even designed to deal with boar, and is of course known as the boar spear. A boar spear is certainly the best weapon to hunt boar with. These spears are characterized by being shorter than a war time spear, but still keeping a thick and easy to grip handle. The spear head is thick in the center and has a diamond like shape. What makes the spear unique is the two wings on the left and right hand side of the blade. These wings are to keep the boar from running through the spear and attacking the hunter. These wings prevent the spear from becoming stuck and allow the user to pull the spear out, and strike again in a quick and rapid manner.
Since wild boar is aplenty in the United States you can typically hunt them in any way you choose. Boar typically live in small packs and can be quite dangerous. I always suggest carrying a backup rifle or shotgun, just in case. Boar are typically active during the morning and evenings. These animals cannot sweat, and on hot days can often be found wallowing in mud and water. Hogs follow their food, and that’s where you’ll typically find them.
The sweet spot to strike and kill a hog you’ll have to get through a thick hide of its shoulder. Behind this shoulder you have the heart and lungs, and striking either is a quick way to kill and stop a hog.
Deer Hunting
The second most popular hunting animal in North America is Deer. Deer hunting is a national pastime, and what most people view a shunting. Only recently has hog hunting overtaken deer hunting. Deer hunting doesn’t hold the same tradition with the spear as hogs, but is a quick growing option.
Deer are challenging animals to hunt. They may have poor eyesight, but they do have 310 degrees of eyesight since their eyes are mounted to the sides of their heads. They do have an excellent sense of smell, with 200 times the human ability to smell. So no scent is a major consideration when hunting deer. Deer also possess a good set of ears, ears that can rotate without the head rotating, and are very capable of listening to odd and strange noises. Deer are very cautious and always err on the side of caution, often running away, showing only their traditional white tails.
Deer are like hogs and are most active in the early morning and late evenings. They are creatures who follow food, but do it cautiously. Deer tend to avoid going too far into open fields, and prefer to keep themselves safe in the tight brush. Deer also run at the slightest unnatural sound. This includes rubber squeaking, metal clanking, and general human talking and noises. While deer are not inherently aggressive a wounded animal is always dangerous, so take caution, and again carry a firearm as a backup.
To kill a deer quickly and humanely, you need to strike it in either the heart or lungs with a spear. A gun or bow gives you more options, but with a spear you want to focus on the heart and lungs. The heart and lungs are placed right behind the shoulder of the animal. The thin skin makes penetration easy to do with a spear.
Spear hunting is an incredibly exciting sport. This isn’t a sport designed for beginners, or casual hunters. This sport is designed for those willing to learn to effectively use the spear, to throw and lunge with it. The spear hunter must master their chosen weapon and be willing to learn about their chosen animal. Spear hunters must learn to effectively camouflage their movement, their scent, and their general body. Spear hunting is thrilling, but can be dangerous, and firearm should always be carried as a backup weapon. Spear hunting is a quickly growing sport, are you willing to pick up a spear and be part of this movement?