Austin Texas Lithic Arts and Technology League
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an atlatl?
A: An atlatl is simply a lever that is used to throw a "dart."
Q: What is a dart?
A: A dart is like a spear that is light and flexible.
Q: Where and when was this used?
A: "In prehistoric Texas, the atlatl and dart was the main
weapon system in use for 10,000 years or more until they were
replaced by the bow and arrow between A.D 500-1000."
http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/
Q: Do I have to have my own equipment to compete?
A: Generally yes, you will need your own gear to compete in accuracy
contests. However you can make arrangements to borrow gear.
Q: Where can I get the equipment to compete?
A: Usually the raw materials are growing near by. In addition, you can
buy atlatls and darts that are ready to throw.
Q: I was wondering if you could recommend some shops for archery.
A: The archery shop we work with is KC's:
www.kcsoutdoors.com/
They make atlatl darts for us.
Q: I'm a traditional archer that is trying to get involved with local
events and other traditional archers. Please send me some info
about events in Texas.
A: The Austin Archery Club has tournaments every month. And
that is a good place to network with other archers.
www.austinarcheryclub.com/events.html
Q: Can I bring my dogs to an atlatl accuracy event?
A: No, it is dangerous to bring pets to accuracy events. Pets
could get hurt by stray shots.
Q: Can you hunt deer with that thing?
A: No. In Texas it is not legal to hunt game animals, like the
White-tailed deer, with an atlatl.
Q: What can you hunt with the atlatl?
A: It is legal to hunt many non-game animals, such as the feral hog, with atlatl.
Bowfishing laws apply to the atlatl in Texas and you can harvest gar and a few other fish
species. Checkout the website of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for more
information.
Q: How safe are those things?
A: The atlatl weapon system is actually very safe because it has a limited range of about
100 yards, and the chance of a misfire is low.
Q: How dangerous are those things?
A: The effectiveness of the atlatl weapon system may have contributed to the
megamammal extinctions at the end of the Pleistocene in North America.
Q: Have you ever killed anything with that?
A: No. We only use the atlatl for the forces of good and to preserve life.
Q: Is the atlatl better than archery?
A: Yes. The atlatl weapon system is less affected by extreme environments as archery
equipment. And you can take far larger game with the atlatl.
Q: Is archery better than the atlatl?
A: Yes. Archery is far more accurate than the atlatl weapon system. And the projectiles
used in archery are much smaller, cheaper, and more portable than the atlatl darts.
Q: Do you like?:
- Hunting
- Martial Arts
- Anthropology
A: Join us!!!
