1. Spears and Thrusting Tools

Spears are among the most versatile and effective primitive hunting weapons, useful for both thrusting and throwing.

Basic Wooden Spear

1. Materials needed:
   • Straight wooden shaft (1.5-2.5 meters long, 2-4 cm diameter)
   • Fire source for hardening
   • Stone scraper or knife (optional)
2. Construction steps:
   • Select a straight, knot-free branch or sapling (hardwoods like ash, oak, or hickory are ideal)
   • Remove all side branches and bark using stone tools
   • Sharpen one end to a point using a stone scraper or by grinding against a rough stone
   • Fire-harden the point by carefully rotating it above hot coals until the wood darkens (do not burn)
   • Allow to cool slowly
   • Smooth any rough areas with a stone scraper
3. Usage techniques:
   • Thrusting: Hold with both hands, one near the butt end for power and one midway for control
   • Throwing: Balance at the center of gravity and throw with an overhand motion
   • Effective range for throwing: 5-10 meters depending on skill

Stone-Tipped Spear

1. Additional materials needed:
   • Knapped stone point (see Stone Cutting Tools guide)
   • Plant fibers, sinew, or rawhide for binding
   • Pine resin, birch tar, or other natural adhesive
2. Construction steps:
   • Prepare wooden shaft as for basic spear, but split or notch one end to receive the stone point
   • Shape the stone point with a tang (narrow extension) that fits into the split shaft
   • Apply heated adhesive to the tang and shaft notch
   • Insert the point and align carefully
   • While adhesive is still warm, bind tightly with plant fiber or sinew
   • Apply additional adhesive over the binding
   • Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours)
3. Maintenance:
   • Regularly check binding for looseness
   • Reapply adhesive if needed
   • Replace stone point if damaged (keep spares)

Bone-Tipped Spear

1. Materials needed:
   • Long bones from large animals (deer leg bones work well)
   • Stone tools for shaping bone
   • Binding material and adhesive as for stone-tipped spear
2. Construction steps:
   • Clean and prepare bone by removing all tissue
   • Split bone lengthwise using stone wedges and hammers
   • Shape one end to a point by grinding against a rough stone
   • Shape the other end into a tang for attachment
   • Attach to shaft using same method as stone-tipped spear
3. Advantages over stone:
   • More durable and less likely to shatter on impact
   • Can be reshaped if damaged
   • Often penetrates hide more effectively

2. Projectile Weapons

Projectile weapons allow hunting from a safer distance and can be more effective for certain types of game.

Throwing Stick / Non-returning Boomerang

1. Materials needed:
   • Hardwood branch with natural curve (30-60 cm long)
   • Stone scraper or knife
2. Construction steps:
   • Select a naturally curved branch (slight curve, not extreme)
   • Remove bark and smooth all surfaces
   • Flatten one side slightly to create aerodynamic lift
   • Taper both ends for better flight characteristics
   • Balance by removing material from heavier sections
3. Usage techniques:
   • Hold at one end with the curve facing forward
   • Throw horizontally with a snapping wrist motion
   • Aim to strike animal directly or to hit legs to immobilize
   • Effective for small to medium ground-dwelling animals
   • Range: 15-30 meters

Atlatl (Spear Thrower)

1. Materials needed:
   • Hardwood shaft (40-60 cm long)
   • Small hook or spur (bone, antler, or hardwood)
   • Binding material and adhesive
   • Light spears or darts (1-2 meters long)
2. Construction steps:
   • Shape main shaft with a handle on one end
   • Carve a groove along the top surface
   • Create or attach a hook/spur at the forward end
   • The hook should protrude upward at about a 30° angle
   • Secure hook with binding and adhesive
   • Create darts with a dimple in the butt end to engage with the hook
3. Usage techniques:
   • Hold atlatl handle firmly with dart resting in groove
   • Hook engages with dimple in dart butt
   • Throw with a smooth overhead motion, extending arm fully
   • The atlatl effectively extends your arm, creating greater leverage and velocity
   • Range: 40-100 meters (2-3 times the range of hand-thrown spears)

Bow and Arrow

1. Materials needed for bow:
   • Straight-grained sapling or branch (yew, ash, elm, or osage orange ideal)
   • Strong cordage (plant fiber, sinew, or rawhide)
   • Stone tools for shaping
2. Bow construction:
   • Select a straight piece of wood slightly taller than your shoulder height
   • Identify the natural bend and work with it (back of bow should be bark side)
   • Shape the bow with thicker middle section tapering toward the ends
   • Create notches near each end for string attachment
   • Carefully test flexibility by bending gradually
   • Attach string loosely at first, then increase tension gradually over days
3. Arrow construction:
   • Select straight shoots (60-75 cm long) from hardwood shrubs
   • Dry thoroughly and straighten by heating and bending
   • Create a nock (notch) in one end to receive the bowstring
   • Attach stone or bone point to the other end
   • Add fletching (feathers) near the nock end for stability
   • Secure fletching with fine cordage and adhesive
4. Usage techniques:
   • Hold bow with non-dominant hand
   • Draw string with dominant hand, anchoring at consistent point (cheek or chin)
   • Release smoothly without jerking
   • Effective range: 15-50 meters depending on bow strength and skill

3. Trapping and Snaring

Traps and snares allow passive hunting, capturing animals while you attend to other tasks.

Simple Snare

1. Materials needed:
   • Strong cordage (plant fiber, sinew, or thin flexible branches)
   • Flexible sapling or branch for spring mechanism
   • Trigger stick
2. Construction steps:
   • Create a noose loop at one end of your cordage
   • Attach the other end to a bent-over sapling
   • Set up a trigger mechanism that releases when disturbed
   • Position the noose in an animal trail or near a burrow entrance
   • Camouflage the setup with natural materials
3. Placement strategy:
   • Identify active animal trails by looking for tracks, droppings, or worn paths
   • Place snares in natural bottlenecks or narrow passages
   • Set multiple snares to increase chances of success
   • Check snares regularly (at least daily)

Deadfall Trap

1. Materials needed:
   • Heavy flat rock or log
   • Trigger sticks (figure-4 or platform trigger)
   • Bait (optional)
2. Figure-4 trigger construction:
   • Create three sticks: vertical post, diagonal, and horizontal bait stick
   • Notch the sticks to interlock in a figure-4 formation
   • Balance the heavy rock or log on top of the structure
   • Place bait on the horizontal stick
   • When animal disturbs the bait stick, the structure collapses
3. Safety and ethics:
   • Design traps to kill quickly and humanely
   • Mark trap locations to avoid human injury
   • Check traps regularly to prevent unnecessary suffering
   • Dismantle unused traps

Pit Trap

1. Materials needed:
   • Digging tools
   • Thin branches and vegetation for covering
   • Sharpened stakes (optional)
2. Construction steps:
   • Dig a pit deeper than the target animal's height
   • Make the walls slightly narrower at the top than bottom
   • Create a sturdy lattice of thin branches across the opening
   • Cover with natural materials that blend with surroundings
   • Place on game trails or near water sources
3. Variations:
   • Add sharpened stakes at bottom for larger animals (use with caution)
   • Create a funnel of brush leading to the pit
   • Add bait in the center to attract animals

4. Fishing Tools

Aquatic environments provide abundant food resources that require specialized tools to harvest.

Fish Spear

1. Materials needed:
   • Long straight shaft (2-3 meters)
   • Multiple bone or wood prongs
   • Binding material
   • Adhesive
2. Construction steps:
   • Split one end of the shaft into 2-4 sections (15-20 cm deep)
   • Insert small wooden spreaders to hold the splits apart
   • Sharpen each prong
   • Alternatively, attach separate bone or wooden prongs
   • Secure with binding and adhesive
3. Usage techniques:
   • Wade quietly in shallow water or position from shore/rocks
   • Account for light refraction (fish are not exactly where they appear)
   • Aim slightly below the visible fish
   • Strike with a quick, decisive motion
   • Multiple prongs increase chances of success

Fish Hooks

1. Materials needed:
   • Small bones (bird, small mammal)
   • Thorns
   • Wood or shell pieces
   • Fine cordage
2. Bone hook construction:
   • Select a flat bone fragment
   • Cut or grind into rough hook shape
   • Create a notch for line attachment
   • Sharpen the point
   • Attach to cordage line
3. Gorge hook alternative:
   • Create a straight piece of bone or wood (3-5 cm long)
   • Sharpen both ends
   • Attach cordage at the center
   • When fish swallows bait, pulling the line causes the gorge to turn sideways and lodge in the throat

Fish Traps

1. Materials needed:
   • Flexible branches or reeds
   • Cordage for binding
   • Rocks for weighting
2. Basket trap construction:
   • Weave flexible materials into a funnel or bottle shape
   • Create an inward-facing funnel entrance
   • Fish can swim in but have difficulty finding the exit
   • Secure trap in flowing water or tidal areas
   • Add bait inside to attract fish
3. Stone weir construction:
   • Build a V-shaped wall of stones in shallow water
   • Point the narrow end downstream
   • Create a collection area or trap at the point
   • Fish moving downstream are funneled into the collection area

5. Tool Maintenance and Hunting Strategies

Tool Maintenance

1. Regular inspection:
   • Check all bindings and attachments before each use
   • Examine wooden components for cracks or splits
   • Test flexibility and strength of bows and throwing tools
2. Repair techniques:
   • Replace damaged bindings immediately
   • Reapply adhesives as needed
   • Straighten warped wood by careful heating and bending
   • Resharpen stone or bone points after use
3. Storage:
   • Store wooden tools horizontally to prevent warping
   • Keep tools dry to prevent rot
   • Unstring bows when not in use
   • Store points and small components in protective containers

Hunting Strategies

1. Tracking:
   • Identify animal tracks, droppings, and signs
   • Learn to distinguish fresh from old signs
   • Follow tracks downwind to avoid detection
   • Look for disturbed vegetation, hair on branches, or feeding signs
2. Stalking:
   • Move slowly and quietly, pausing frequently
   • Stay downwind of prey
   • Use natural cover and terrain features
   • Wear natural materials that don't make noise
   • Learn to move in rhythm with environmental sounds
3. Ambush hunting:
   • Identify high-traffic areas (water sources, game trails)
   • Set up position with good visibility and shooting lanes
   • Conceal yourself with natural materials
   • Remain still and patient
   • Position yourself downwind
4. Group hunting:
   • Coordinate movements to drive game toward waiting hunters
   • Use signals to communicate without speaking
   • Assign specific roles (drivers, blockers, primary hunters)
   • Particularly effective for larger animals