Post by cambygsp on Oct 24, 2005 6:13:43 GMT -5
www.sungazette.com/articles.asp?articleID=18547
What next? Rocks?
Game Commission to consider legalizing atlatls for hunting
Eric Long Sun-Gazette Staff
Pennsylvanians could have a new (old) option to add to the array of weapons they may use for hunting if a proposal being examined by the state Game Commission is ever adopted.
At its quarterly meeting Sept. 26-27, the Board of Game Commissioners authorized the agency staff to prepare regulatory language to legalize the atlatl — or spear-thrower — as a hunting device.
The atlatl is a hunting instrument of ancient design that may have been used as early as 12,000 B.C. in Europe, according to a book, ‘‘All About the Atlatl,’’ by Gary Fogelman of the Turbotville area. It is basically a long stick with a notch on one end that is used to propel an arrow-like dart with more force than achievable by an unaided human arm.
Its legalization is being pushed by a small group of traditional hunters who want to have a chance to hunt with it in Pennsylvania.
The atlatl, (pronounced AHT-latl) also is known as a throwing board, throwing stick, dart thrower and spear sling, as well as by other names around the world, said Fogelman, who has extensive knowledge of Native American artifacts and arrowheads.
The atlatl was demonstrated for the game commissioners before their June meeting, according to commission press secretary Jerry Feaser. It apparently grabbed their attention.
Commissioner Roxanne Palone, who made the motion to have legalization rules drawn up, said the atlatl can be one more way for people to enjoy hunting in the state, and she sees no reason not to allow its use.
‘‘I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t be (allowed),’’ she said. ‘‘I think there are about 200 folks around who use the atlatl. It’s another opportunity for those people to go hunting and do something they enjoy. It would be similar to using a longbow.’’
The atlatls demonstrated were very accurate, she said, and she and others commissioners were impressed.
The spear-thrower would join the longbow and crossbow as pre-gunpowder weapons legal for hunting, if Palone’s proposal is approve.
‘‘I trust people to practice with a gun, longbow or crossbow, so the atlatl wouldn’t be any different,’’ Palone said.
She said it is not known when the atlatl would be allowed, whether just for deer or for other game animals, or if a special season would be set up. That, she said, will be determined later.
‘‘I know in some other states, people hunt wild boar with them,’’ she said. ‘‘Some of the people demonstrating them showed us some pictures.’’
Palone said the demonstration was the first time she had been approached about the use of the atlatl for hunting.
‘‘I think if people really enjoy themselves and practice, this would be a good implement,’’ she said.
Fogelman, a former Muncy School District teacher and publisher of Indian Artifacts magazine, said he supports legalizing the instrument for hunting.
‘‘The Tyoga Atlatl Association did the demonstration (for the Game Commission) and the emphasis is to get it approved for deer hunting,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a weapon proven for thousands, really about 18,000 years that we know of. It is used all over the world — different versions of it.’’
Fogelman said many people are getting interested in ancient hunting methods and want to try hunting with the atlatl.
‘‘Once this catches on, I’m sure the traditional voyeurs will become interested in it, too. People interested in traditional technology will get interested in this.’’
Ed Wentzler, a traditional bowhunter who is an expert in that realm, said the atlatl can be very accurate.
‘‘I know some people who do some things with an atlatl that I could not imagine,’’ he said. ‘‘The people putting on the demonstration were hitting a pie plate from 40 yards out. It was very impressive. These guys had incredible skill.’’
He said Game Commissioner Steve Mohr, who has championed increasing hunting opportunities, seemed to like the atlatl as well as anyone.
‘‘They seemed to listen, and I give credit to (commission executive director) Vern Ross for that.’’
But Wentzler, who lives off the land around his Montoursville-area home, was making preparations for winter.
It won’t be known until at least the January meeting of the Game Commission whether the proposal will move to the next step, which would involve preliminary, formal approval of proposed regulations, a public comment period and then an adoption vote.
What next? Rocks?
Game Commission to consider legalizing atlatls for hunting
Eric Long Sun-Gazette Staff
Pennsylvanians could have a new (old) option to add to the array of weapons they may use for hunting if a proposal being examined by the state Game Commission is ever adopted.
At its quarterly meeting Sept. 26-27, the Board of Game Commissioners authorized the agency staff to prepare regulatory language to legalize the atlatl — or spear-thrower — as a hunting device.
The atlatl is a hunting instrument of ancient design that may have been used as early as 12,000 B.C. in Europe, according to a book, ‘‘All About the Atlatl,’’ by Gary Fogelman of the Turbotville area. It is basically a long stick with a notch on one end that is used to propel an arrow-like dart with more force than achievable by an unaided human arm.
Its legalization is being pushed by a small group of traditional hunters who want to have a chance to hunt with it in Pennsylvania.
The atlatl, (pronounced AHT-latl) also is known as a throwing board, throwing stick, dart thrower and spear sling, as well as by other names around the world, said Fogelman, who has extensive knowledge of Native American artifacts and arrowheads.
The atlatl was demonstrated for the game commissioners before their June meeting, according to commission press secretary Jerry Feaser. It apparently grabbed their attention.
Commissioner Roxanne Palone, who made the motion to have legalization rules drawn up, said the atlatl can be one more way for people to enjoy hunting in the state, and she sees no reason not to allow its use.
‘‘I can’t think of any reason it wouldn’t be (allowed),’’ she said. ‘‘I think there are about 200 folks around who use the atlatl. It’s another opportunity for those people to go hunting and do something they enjoy. It would be similar to using a longbow.’’
The atlatls demonstrated were very accurate, she said, and she and others commissioners were impressed.
The spear-thrower would join the longbow and crossbow as pre-gunpowder weapons legal for hunting, if Palone’s proposal is approve.
‘‘I trust people to practice with a gun, longbow or crossbow, so the atlatl wouldn’t be any different,’’ Palone said.
She said it is not known when the atlatl would be allowed, whether just for deer or for other game animals, or if a special season would be set up. That, she said, will be determined later.
‘‘I know in some other states, people hunt wild boar with them,’’ she said. ‘‘Some of the people demonstrating them showed us some pictures.’’
Palone said the demonstration was the first time she had been approached about the use of the atlatl for hunting.
‘‘I think if people really enjoy themselves and practice, this would be a good implement,’’ she said.
Fogelman, a former Muncy School District teacher and publisher of Indian Artifacts magazine, said he supports legalizing the instrument for hunting.
‘‘The Tyoga Atlatl Association did the demonstration (for the Game Commission) and the emphasis is to get it approved for deer hunting,’’ he said.
‘‘It is a weapon proven for thousands, really about 18,000 years that we know of. It is used all over the world — different versions of it.’’
Fogelman said many people are getting interested in ancient hunting methods and want to try hunting with the atlatl.
‘‘Once this catches on, I’m sure the traditional voyeurs will become interested in it, too. People interested in traditional technology will get interested in this.’’
Ed Wentzler, a traditional bowhunter who is an expert in that realm, said the atlatl can be very accurate.
‘‘I know some people who do some things with an atlatl that I could not imagine,’’ he said. ‘‘The people putting on the demonstration were hitting a pie plate from 40 yards out. It was very impressive. These guys had incredible skill.’’
He said Game Commissioner Steve Mohr, who has championed increasing hunting opportunities, seemed to like the atlatl as well as anyone.
‘‘They seemed to listen, and I give credit to (commission executive director) Vern Ross for that.’’
But Wentzler, who lives off the land around his Montoursville-area home, was making preparations for winter.
It won’t be known until at least the January meeting of the Game Commission whether the proposal will move to the next step, which would involve preliminary, formal approval of proposed regulations, a public comment period and then an adoption vote.
