Facts about hunting with an atlatl

By The Associated Press

The Pennsylvania Game Commission may soon consider whether to legalize hunting with an atlatl, a prehistoric weapon. Some questions and answers about the weapon:

What is an atlatl?

The atlatl itself is a wooden piece, about 2 feet long, used as leverage to propel a hunting dart. The darts are arrow-like and can up be up to 8 feet long.

How's it pronounced?

AT-lad-ul, although AT-ul-AT-ul is often used.

Was it used by prehistoric man in Pennsylvania?

Archaeological digs have produced evidence that atlatl use in the state goes back some 8,000 years.

What about elsewhere?

Spanish conquistadors said they feared its use by the Aztecs, and some believe the atlatls may have contributed to the extinction of the woolly mammoth.

Are they legal elsewhere?

A handful of states allow it for hunting or fishing.

How much do they cost?

A leading manufacturer will sell a production-model atlatl and five darts for $140.

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I really wonder why anyone would want to hunt with one of those...

Adam
The Hunting Blog Guy