A summary of our Hunting Through History day course.
Passive Hunting
Our Hunting Through History day course, a dynamic expedition spanning centuries to explore diverse food acquisition methods across cultures. Rest assured, no animals are harmed during this event & hunting techniques discussed, demonstrated & practiced are purely for educational purposes. The event takes place on private land with all necessary licenses & permissions obtained.
To kick off the day, we started by looking at a few essential knot-tying techniques. Then, we delved into introductory knife skills to craft our L7 snare traps. Equipped with this newfound knowledge and expertise, participants had the opportunity to create their own primitive snare traps.
Active Hunting
In the upcoming segment, our guests successfully crafted a four-pronged fishing spear, a tool with roots in First Nations culture. This straightforward yet intricately made spear involves basic techniques executed with precision. The impressive skills showcased by our participants were truly remarkable. As they honed their skills, they also deepened their appreciation for the traditional knowledge passed down through generations. Each step, from selecting the right wood to meticulously carving & binding the prongs, was a testament to the ingenuity & resourcefulness of the First Nations people.
Our guests were not only learning a practical survival skill but also gaining a profound respect for the cultural heritage intertwined with this ancient craft.  They found themselves immersed in a process that connected them to the land & its original stewards, fostering a greater understanding & admiration for the wisdom embedded in these time-honored practices.
Projectile Hunting
Shifting our focus, we explored the historical need for humans to hunt from a distance, transitioning smoothly to the topic of projectiles. Guests were then able to craft atlatl darts, fashioning fletchings from feathers discovered in the woods & fastening them with pine pitch. After completing this activity, we moved to the northern lawn for some practice throws.
After refining our focus & aim, we decided to put our skills to the test with some target practice. Guests were given the chance to take aim at the foam bosses positioned across the property.
***You can find more images from the day & even add your own at our Shared Gallery***
Bows & Rifles
Finally, we covered the fundamentals of bow hunting, as well as modern air rifles, emphasizing safely, legality & their application in hunting. With our guests well-prepared & confident in handling both types of equipment, they had the opportunity to enjoy leisure time loosing arrows on the lawn & honing their skills on our woodland targets.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post & for your continued engagement. We hope to see you in the woods again soon.
Sincerely
JG
So much fun and I learned a lot. This workshop fascinated me as I am from a History/Archaeological background so to have a chance to get hands on with some of the skills our ancestors needed (& indeed techniques still used today) was an opportunity I couldn’t miss. Making and setting traps was interesting and tested my patience a little, though the whittling part was so therapeutic I will be investing in a fixed blade knife for the task.
Thank you John, thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.