Tag Archives: atlatl

Get Away From the Winter Chill; Warm Up With Atlatl Fever

It’s cold in upstate New York but you can warm up at the indoor Spencer-VE Sportsman Club Day in Spencer, NY on Saturday, February 7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thunderbird Atlatl will be one of the many exhibitors. The school is providing an indoor range if you want to try the atlatl indoors away from the minus degree weather outside. Bob Berg will also be offering informational sessions on flintknapping and building atlatls and darts next to our exhibit. We will be working next to the Primitive Pursuits program from Tompkins County Cornell Extension.

Bob Berg fletches a dart at a workshop. Our workshops have proven very popular.  We will be offering free workshops tomorrow, Feb. 7, in Spencer, NY  with Primitive Pursuits. We also plan several workshops in Florida. See the information below. If you would like to inquire about a workshop, give us a call or contact us by email.
Bob Berg fletches a dart at a workshop. Our workshops have proven very popular. We will be offering free workshops tomorrow, Feb. 7, in Spencer, NY with Primitive Pursuits. We also plan several workshops in Florida. See the information below. If you would like to inquire about a workshop, give us a call or contact us by email.

Looking to get away from the winter weather, Thunderbird Atlatl will be at two Florida events in February. Bob Berg will be offering workshops at both events. You can sign up for the workshops by contacting us at our 800 number – 800-836-4520 or email us at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com Information about the events and workshops are below:

SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN AND STONE AGE ARTS FESTIVAL

The annual SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN AND STONE AGE ARTS FESTIVAL will be held at the Silver Springs State Park on February 20th, 21st, and 22nd (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Expert flint knappers, archaeologists, potters, hide tanners, bow makers and other specialists in prehistoric skills will gather from across the eastern U.S. to demonstrate and sell their arts. Vendors will offer reproduction stone tools, raw stone, flint knapping tools, unique crafts, food and more.

There will be archery, tomahawk and atlatl dart throwing demonstrations each day. A flint knapping competition and on-going prehistoric skills demonstrations will also take place. Besides the knap-in, visitors can explore the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, take a tram ride through the woods, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River. Please note: Friday is a student day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is open on Saturday and Sunday to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

International Standard Accuracy Competitions will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the atlatl range. All are welcome.

Thunderbird Atlatl will hold two workshops on Thursday, February 19, at the museum. Information is below:

Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Morning Workshop.
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Morning Workshop: Make a modern atlatl and three darts from Thunderbird Atlatl kits with Atlatl Expert Bob Berg from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, February 19, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The goal of this workshop is for each participant to finish an atlatl and 3 darts. Participants will learn how to straighten and fletch darts. This is a great way to get into the sport. Students may choose from four different Thunderbird Atlatl Kit styles. Other benefits of taking Bob’s workshop are the background information he passes along, as well as teaching you how to use atlatls. It is a great way to have all your questions about the atlatl answered. The workshop fee is $65 per participant and is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com.

Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Afternoon Workshop
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Afternoon Workshop: Make a primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts from natural materials. Atlatl expert Bob Berg will lead participants in making their own atlatls and darts from a variety of locally available materials. Bob will bring bamboo dart blanks. The goal of this workshop is for participants to take home a traditional or primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts. They will learn how to use stone tools in making the atlatls and darts, natural fiber cordage, fletching, the use of hafting resins and more. Materials will be provided. The workshop will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The workshop fee is $65 per participant. (Take both workshops for $110). The workshop is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com.

Can’t make it to the Silver River program or just want to continue enjoying the atlatl/flintknapping experience, then come to the The Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival at Ochlockonee River State Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 27, 28 and March 1, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

This is the 8th Annual Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival. Come and enjoy bow, atlatl and flintknapping competitions, demonstrations and how-to workshops. New at this year’s festival is a dugout canoe display and hands-on demonstration. There will be a lot to do, see and participate in at this year’s festival. Free with regular park admission.More Information:Park Services Specialist Jason Vickery, 850-962-2771, jason.vickery@dep.state.fl.us Located in the Northwest region at: Ochlockonee River State Park, 429 State Park Road, Sopchoppy, FL 32358

Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will be offering workshops on Thursday, Feb. 25, prior to the event.

Southwestern-Style Spear Throwers Identified in the Ozarks

An atlatl fragment has recently surfaced that was discovered in the Ozarks in Missouri, as reported by Western Digs.

Western Digs Photo of Ozark Atlatl
Western Digs Photo of Ozark Atlatl

New analysis of two spear-throwers excavated nearly a century ago in the Ozark Mountains reveals what one archaeologist calls an “uncanny” similarity to those used in the ancient Southwest and Mesoamerica.

One of the artifacts — an intact carved wooden spear thrower, or atlatl — was first described in the 1920s, when it was found under a rock outcrop known as the Alred Shelter in northwestern Arkansas.
Montgomery Atlatl

The atlatl fragment found at Montgomery Shelters, Missouri, features distinctive notches and lugs for a split-fingered grip. (University of Arkansas Museum Collections)

– Blake de Pastino, Feb 11, 2014

I have postulated that the fragment is only about two thirds of the original spear thrower.

What the rest of the atlatl looks like with an added atlatl weight. Edited with Photoshop.
What the rest of the atlatl looks like with an added atlatl weight. Edited with Photoshop.

The atlatl fragment is only twelve and a half inches long. I believe that the distal portion broke off and was lost. I compared the fragment to several atlatls that I have made and came to the conclusion that the missing end would have looked like what I have depicted in the second picture.

I believe that the slit in the spear thrower would have been used to tie on an atlatl weight, as shown.

I did not depict the loops that would have been attached at the proximal end but it is evident that some kind of finger loop system would have been used on this spear thrower. The finger loops may have been made of leather, plant fiber, bone, shell or hair.

What do you think?

Bob Berg

World Atlatl Association Ties Atlatlists Together

We still treasure the handwritten notes we received many years ago from World Atlatl Association secretary Leni Clubb. When we first started going to atlatl events in the early 90s, we were thrilled to find our there was a World Atlatl Association.
World Atlat Association logo

We became members and have been members ever since. Leni attended atlatl events and kept everyone informed about atlatl events and rules for over two decades. Many of us fondly remember her handwritten notes and support as we set up atlatl events in those early years. Leni has been retired from her secretary job now for a few years but her dedication and loyalty to the World Atlatl Association made it the terrific organization it is today.

Membership in the World Atlatl Association is well worth the minimal annual dues. The WAA has an informative webpage and members receive quarterly newsletters. Check out Thunderbird Atlatl’s Bob Berg hunting with one of our Wyalusing atlatls on this page of the World Atlatl Association web page.

Interested in joining? Go to the webpage or print the application form below:
apform