I’ve always had an interest in primitive hunting and trapping as its one of the earliest examples of mechanical engineering e.g. windlasses, springs, pulleys and levers. The selection of materials with the correct properties to meet requirements e.g. wood, bone or stone. This interest is purely theoretical as I have never used these techniques in the wild. I would also add that in normal situations you should NOT use these techniques in the UK as some are illegal and others require the correct permits, licenses or the land owners permissions.
Variations of the throwing stick or rabbit stick can be found in many cultures all over the world, also known as a throwing club, throwing wood, baton, kylies, or the well known returning and non-returning boomerangs of the Australian aborigine’s. Used for hunting small mammals and birds, typically made from medium or hardwood, 12 to 24 inches in length with one end either weighted by a thicker heavier section or a curve. This extra weight or curve imparts momentum to the stick when thrown, increasing flight stability. I don’t fully understand the physics and subtleties of the various different designs, but there seems to be four basic styles: club, equal single bend (a stretched ‘V’ shape, less than 45 degrees), unequal single bend (a stretched ‘L’ shape) and double bend (a stretched ‘Z’ shape), examples are shown in figure 8.1. From reading around and searching the web, you don’t normally see a straight, constant diameter throwing stick, the exception to this is when metal, typically lead is used weight one end. Throwing sticks having a bend are normally thinned downed flat i.e. a thin oval, improving their aerodynamic profile, reducing weight, therefore, allowing it to travel greater distances. This profile is optimised for the returning boomerang, forming an aerofoil profile i.e. a flat bottom and a curved top, allowing the boomerang to generate lift. A common characteristic of these clubs is that their edges are thinned down to a point, concentrating the kinetic energy on impact.
Figure 8.1 : Throwing Sticks
Throwing sticks with a bend are thrown using an overhand, sideways throwing action, imparting a spinning motion on the stick. This sideways spinning flight path increases the probability of making contact with the target. Some quotes on using throwing sticks:
“No deviation normal throwing sidearm motion, distal wing curved inward, projectile low to the ground was indicated. The throwing arm moved with a broad sweep using the whole arm but with some degree of wrist snap at the end of the action” Koerper, Pinkstopn and Wilken
“First, align the target by extending the non-throwing arm in line with the mid to lower section of the target. Slowly and repeatedly raise the throwing arm up and back until the throwing stick crosses the back at about a 45-degree angle or is in line with the non-throwing hip. Bring the throwing arm forward until it is just slightly above and parallel to the non-throwing arm. This will be the throwing stick's release point.” The Web
“The throwing wood is a crooked piece of wood, which is able to fly with or without having a grip. Generally it is thrown and then rotates in the air, but occasionally it also can be used as a club. Unlike the throwing club, the throwing wood does not concentrate on the effect of hitting. Only the variant which returns to the thrower is called a boomerang.” Lenoch
“Such a basic club can be thrown either overhand (when, for instance, you're trying to hit the side of a tree) or sidearm (when you're in an open area, where brush won't interfere with the stick's flight). In using the first method, point your left foot at the target (if you're a right-hander southpaws can simply reverse these directions). Then, holding the smaller end of the stick loosely in your right hand, bring the weapon back over your shoulder and hurl it, with good end-over-end spin, straight at the mark. At the moment of release, your shoulders should face the target squarely. The sidearm throw is similar to the motion used in stroking a tennis ball with the racket. Point the left toe at the target, bring the stick to a cocked position at your side, and throw it, squaring your shoulders and snapping the club as if you were cracking a whip to give it spin.” Brown
Club type throwing sticks can be thrown using a more targeted throwing action. Again, thrown using an overhand throwing motion, however, this time no sideways spin is used i.e. the club is thrown straight, heavy end first, this end making contact with the target. The handle increasing leverage and speed allowing the club to be thrown further and faster. Some books suggest that a twisting flick should be added just before release i.e. rotating the club inline with the directions of travel, improving its stability in flight.
Figure 8.1a : Equal single bend throwing sticks
Figure 8.1b : Club throwing sticks
Figure 8.1c : Double bend throwing sticks
Figure 8.1d : Long single bend throwing sticks
Figure 8.1d : Weighted throwing sticks
To make a throwing stick that contains a bend the simplest solution is find a piece of wood with a suitable natural bend, although this is sometimes easier said than done. However, as this type of throwing stick is normally thinned down to a flat profile, any unwanted bends or bumps can be minimised or removed completely with a bit of judicious trimming. When a suitable piece of wood cannot be found the wood can be formed into a curve by heat and bending. One technique I’ve read about is to heated the wood over hot coals to make it pliable, then placed it between two rocks, placing a heavy pressure rock on top to form the bend. Alternatively the wood could be steamed to make it more flexible.
The equal length single bend throwing stick shown in figure 8.1a is made from Beech, cut down and shaped using an axe to give a more aerodynamic profile. The club throwing stick shown in figure 8.1b is made from an evergreen shrub, not sure what species, a medium hardwood. Using a saw, stop cuts are made around the head, an axe is then used to form the handle (the stop cuts preventing the splits progressing to far). The double bend throwing stick shown in figure 8.1c is made from Ash, simply cut down and shaped using an axe. Ideally the top and bottom bends need to be a little longer and more angled, but this was the best of the wood available. The long single bend throwing stick shown in figure 8.1d is made from Birch. The bend is naturally formed, again shaped to improve its aerodynamic profile. Comparing these throwing sticks with some traditional non-returning Australian aboriginal boomerangs they may need to be thinned down a little more, not sure what the best balance is between width and weight. The weighted throwing stick shown in figure 8.1d is made from Pittosporum with a flit head. The stone has a naturally formed hole allowing it to be easily mounted on the wooden handle. The handle is shaped to fit this hole, initially roughed out, the stone is then placed on the spike and tapped into position and then removed i.e. held upright and the bottom of the handle knocked on the ground. The compacted, marked areas are then trimmed away and the process repeated until the stone sits securely on the wooded handle. This is important as the spike will not be sufficient to hold the stone in position (not even a hardwood). Finally the stone is lashed in position through a hole within the handle.
To assess the performance of each of these throwing sticks ive tested them using a small plastic flower pot as a target at various distances, as shown in figure 8.2.
Figure 8.2 : Comparison table
Below are some useful documents on throwing sticks ive found on the web (due to possible copyright conflicts these are only accessible from the local machine) :
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