To contact the Tyoga Atlatl Association email Jack Rowe at fieldwalker@stny.rr.com
When Peter Gets Back from college this spring I will get him to add the Tyoga Atlatl Association to the association list.
Check out Ebay for atlatl sales this week
Back From the South
The atlatl season is well under way for 2004! While there have been Icicle and “Finger Freezing” Contests in the North in the winter months, many of us also happily took off for contests and hunting & fishing in the South. Thunderbird Atlatl was at the Payne’s Prairie Knap-In in Florida the last weekend of February and then it was on to Moundville, Alabama for a Pow Wow for the first week of March.
We’re back home in New York State now – building new atlatls, darts and planning new atlatl adventures!
Our new catalog is available. If you would like a copy, please e-mail us your name and address at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com
Primitive Arts And Foundation Skills Classes By Bob Berg
Elementary School Primitive Arts
Elementary school programs are designed for grades three though eight. Bob Berg demonstrates the use and production of stone tools, cordage making, fire by friction, bark work, basketry, pottery and how atlatls are used. Programs may be done either as hands on or lecture, depending on the preferences of the host teacher. In the hands-on version, (limited to about 30 participants) students get involved in the process of learning primitive skills and, when space is available, learning to throw the atlatl. This indoor/ outdoor program is tailored to fit the teacher’s plan, relating primitive skills to the particular curriculum the teacher has in mind. In the lecture version of this class more students may participate. In this version the teacher(s) may choose a couple of volunteers to participate in the hands-on part. Cost: $350 per school day, which includes up to three separate sessions from one to two hours, plus costs for hands-on materials, travel and motel expenses. Schools within a two hours drive are exempt from overnight costs. Schools located in Tioga, Broome, Tompkins, or Chemung Counties, New York, may waive travel expenses. Call for details. 1 800 836 4520
Primitive Art Classes for Youth Groups
Scouting troops, museums, conservation clubs, summer camps, or similar youth group oriented classes are generally designed as outdoor activities that include the use and production of stone tools, cordage making, fire by friction, bark work, basketry, pottery and include an atlatl making and use seminar. This class is designed to teach councilors and other group leaders in the techniques, safety, and instruction of young people in the primitive arts. It is generally done in two parts with the young people participating in the second part so camp councilors and group leaders may put the techniques they learned to practice.
This class is designed to be a catalyst for an organization to start or improve primitive arts programming. This may be used, for example, as part of a survival training program, merit badge earning, or boot camp program. Call and discuss your needs and we will be glad to help you develop your particular program. Cost $350 per day plus travel and overnight expenses.
Fishing With Atlatls On The Rainbow River In Florida
The sun turned the sky to brilliant red as it sank beneath the tree line along the western shore of the Rainbow River. In the evening calm the clear water was glass smooth. I held my atlatl and harpoon dart ready in hopes I would get a clear shot at a fish. We could see occasional ripples cross the water around us, telling of fast moving small fish attempting to escape the clutches of some of the larger predatory species. But the sun reflecting off the top of the water kept everything below the surface hidden from view.
We talked for a while, waiting for the darkness to settle in. In the distance vultures coming in from every direction landed in a giant cypress tree that grew out of the shallow water of the flats. A symphony of alligators chortled in every tone belying their various sizes from small to very large. Earlier that day we had seen several large alligators sunning themselves on fallen logs. We weren’t here for alligators but anywhere you see gators you will see gar.
To spear gar with an atlatl you have to be able to see them well and they need to be in reasonably shallow water. At night with the Colman lanterns we have rigged to the bows of our boats you can see the gar as deep as twenty five feet swimming along like submarines barely wavering from their characteristic straight line course. You can see the inverted crossbows that we just purchased, they are great bows. The skin of a gar is like armor with the texture of rough sandpaper. To get a dart through this you need sharp points and enough energy to break through a quarter inch of bone like skin. It can be done with a bow but the arrow looses energy much faster than a harpoon dart. The added length and weight of the dart allow deeper penetration of the water, with enough energy left to penetrate the thick hide of the gar.
Leggs spotted the first giant gar as we entered a lagoon. He was not ready for it but I was. I had to cast at just at the right time to make the shot. I hit it right in the middle of its five foot long body and it took off. I let the line go as it retreated until I had nothing left but the float at the end of my line. I hung on as the fish dragged the boat several hundred yards. As the fish tired I pulled it closer to the boat. Leggs, being the bravest of us gaffed it into the boat. It slashed with its razor teeth just scratching the back of Leggs’ hand. He stowed it under the deck where it could not hurt us after we took several pictures.
It is an annual event for us to go to Florida in the middle of February to enjoy our atlatl adventures. We meet at Payne’s Prairie Campground where the annual Knap-in occurs. The park has great facilities and is perfectly situated for us to be able to go to the various places in North Florida to hunt and fish with our atlatls. Also Florida’s fish and game laws allow the use of the atlatl.
The sun drops below the treeline.
Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
First atlatl shot with a harpoon…
And first big gar, harpooned with an atlatl.
Fifty-five inch gar landed.
Andy with his gar. That's Micah behind him.