I'm rethinking blow guns

[caverdude]

After reading an article in Backwoodsman Magazine I'm rethinking the possibilities with blow guns. According to the article native Americans hunted with 11 foot blow guns, that used 12 inch darts. They used no poisons when hunting, only in warfare. They were able to achieve 300fps and able to kill game at up to 60 feet away.

The darts were made from bamboo (river cane) and had animal hair for fletching. In many cases with long darts like this the animal was unable to flee properly or in case of birds unable to fly.

[nelson96]

As a solo prep you might starve before you mastered it, you might starve after you mastered it. 

[markl32]

Blowguns? 

Either you are 14 and reading the back of SOF magazine or you have mastered all other areas of prepping and are now looking for a nostalgic challenge... 

Maybe next April 1st I will write and submit an article looking at the benefits of the Atlatl for CQB and see who bites. 

 

[Scottman]

I've never had good luck with them to be honest.... go out and try them. I'd rather have other goodies for the bulk and weight.

[caverdude]

Blowguns? 

Either you are 14 and reading the back of SOF magazine or you have mastered all other areas of prepping and are now looking for a nostalgic challenge... 

Maybe next April 1st I will write and submit an article looking at the benefits of the Atlatl for CQB and see who bites. 

 

I'm 43 reading Backwoodsman Mag, SOF?

[markl32]

I'm 43 reading Backwoodsman Mag, SOF?

Soldier of Fortune. 

I am just teasing you man. 

[Fyrediver]

Beyond Survival with Les Stroud has several episodes wherein the people he's with are hunting with blowguns.  He points out that several hunters have lost eyes due to the darts falling back down into their faces.  Safety glasses anyone?

Primitive people still hunt with them but it is a special skill.  Definitely something I'd practice with before I thought to carry one to hunt small game.  But that goes for any hunting system. 

When I was in the Philippines we'd play "darts" with blowguns from the other side of the club.  It was fun, especially after a few rounds.

[LibertyBelle]

Blowguns? 

Either you are 14 and reading the back of SOF magazine...

That's just too funny!   
My 14 y/o has been reading SOF .... AND ... recently talked his dad into getting him a blowgun. 
But he also has a .22, a set of throwing knives, a throwing star, a sling shot, and a Swiss Army knife.  Next on his list to get is a compound bow...but momma says he'll need to eat a few more bowls of Wheaties before he's strong enough to actually pull one back.

[Av8er1]

I bet a decent dart could be made from those bamboo shish-kabob skewers.

[Cory (NewOldTech)]

I bet a decent dart could be made from those bamboo shish-kabob skewers.

I bet so! A little fetching and you'd be good to go!

[Cory (NewOldTech)]

*Fletching. Damn you autocorrect! Haha!

[David in MN]

We have one at the cabin. They're silly and fun and the blunted ones sting just enough...

I can think of a long list of hunting tools I'd use before blowguns. If it's that bad, I'd probably use traps (I can trap in multiple locations) but assuming I had to hunt without guns, bows, etc. I think one of my throwing axes would be higher on the list. Even societies that use blowguns treat them as a niche skill.

It's a cool toy but I wouldn't take it seriously. I'm with Fyrediver, it's a cocktail game for me. I'd love to be proven wrong, though.

[nelson96]

It's a cool toy but I wouldn't take it seriously. I'm with Fyrediver, it's a cocktail game for me. I'd love to be proven wrong, though.  Wouldn't be interested even if you prove me wrong.

I had to fix your post to suit me 

I agree with the rest of your post. . . .  Too many better options.

[David in MN]

LOL. Literally.

[TheRetiredRancher]

When I was a 14 year old, I did have a blowgun and actually once managed to corner a rabbit and kill it.  It took alot of work and luck.  You will notice that almost all of the aboriginal tribes that use blowguns are in rain forests which give alot of cover for stalking game, and a pretty high game density.  I would never actually want to try to use it to survive on anywhere in the US except maybe the swamps of florida or louisianna.

[archer]

and a couch or two of curare on the darts helps..