Hunting With an Atlatl (Spear Thrower)

January 26, 2017

Question: Is it legal to use an Atlatl, or spear thrower, to hunt game animals in California? If it is legal, what are the regulations for their use? (Charlie)

Answer: No, a spear thrower is not legal to use. Only methods defined in the 2016-2017 California Mammal Hunting Regulations booklet for the take of small game (CCR Title 14, section 311, on page 26) and for big game (CCR Title 14, section 353, beginning on page 27) may be used.

Kind of a curious method of take question.  Of course with the recent kerfuffle about that guy using a spear to take down a bear I could see how it would be something that the commission would be hesitant to allow.

There is some Bodeen on YouTube who uses a spear, no atlatl, to take an elk and a bison. Tip o' the hat for trying that on a bison from the ground. The elk was taken from a tree stand. Some serious juevos there. Not really sure if I think it's ethical, but it does take nerve.

Spears and atlatl are legal for deer/elk/antalope/etc in several states.  I know I got a chuckle when I saw atlatl specifically mentioned in the regs for Nebraska a few years ago.  Now, the regs just categorize any variant of hand-thrown device as a "spear."

I don't know why a spear or atlatl would be more more of a concern than archery from either a hunter safety issue or killing vs. wounding any game.

http://www.wideopenspaces.com/15-point-missouri-buck-killed-primitive-atlatl/

I've atlatled once or twice in my day. Usually just targeting woolly mammoths and triceratops foam cutouts. 

Can you hunt turkeys in the Napa River with an atlatl while standing behind a triceratops foam cutout?

Asking for a friend.

Asking for a friend.

 

Can you hunt turkeys in the Napa River with an atlatl while standing behind a triceratops foam cutout?

Asking for a friend.

Yes, but only on Tuesday.

Can you hunt turkeys in the Napa River with an atlatl while standing behind a triceratops foam cutout?

Asking for a friend.

Dude! I told you not to tell anyone