KC's Archery & the Long-Arrow
We didn't have a culture of the atlatl here in Austin Texas when we started. Fortunately we became allied with the archery community,
and that has provided us with a knowledge base upon which to build. Collaborating with the archery community has been beneficial.
The Austin team began reinventing the atlatl in 2005. Carving our first primitive atlatls was easy. But dart construction was beyond our
grasp at that time. We were lucky to meet Mark Bowles that year. He is an ingenious craftsman. He is not only a first-class bower, he is
also a champion archer. We told Mark what we needed and he made our first darts by gluing two aluminum field arrows together. Later
we discovered that other people were already making darts this way.
Mark thinks we are crazy and recommends we learn to shoot bows and arrows. But he has continued an innovative approach to dart
construction, with three major design changes. He also introduced us to the Austin Archery Club!
The Austin Texas Lithic Arts and Technology League has had a lot of help from a lot of people and we are thankful to them all. But we
are especially thankful for the assistance we have received from Mark Bowles of KC's Archery.
We didn't have a culture of the atlatl here in Austin Texas when we started. Fortunately we became allied with the archery community,
and that has provided us with a knowledge base upon which to build. Collaborating with the archery community has been beneficial.
The Austin team began reinventing the atlatl in 2005. Carving our first primitive atlatls was easy. But dart construction was beyond our
grasp at that time. We were lucky to meet Mark Bowles that year. He is an ingenious craftsman. He is not only a first-class bower, he is
also a champion archer. We told Mark what we needed and he made our first darts by gluing two aluminum field arrows together. Later
we discovered that other people were already making darts this way.
Mark thinks we are crazy and recommends we learn to shoot bows and arrows. But he has continued an innovative approach to dart
construction, with three major design changes. He also introduced us to the Austin Archery Club!
The Austin Texas Lithic Arts and Technology League has had a lot of help from a lot of people and we are thankful to them all. But we
are especially thankful for the assistance we have received from Mark Bowles of KC's Archery.
| Austin Texas Lithic Arts & Technology League 2008 |
Seminole Canyon Archeolympics, by Bobcat Smith
[WAA article] The Seminole Canyon State Park in South Texas is a great place to see prehistoric paintings
of atlatls. In February of 2008 the Austin Atlatl Team traveled to that Park to study archeology and to
participate in the Archeolympics, hosted by Jack Johnson of the Shumla School. This event was made
possible by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
The Archeolympic events included an atlatl accuracy contest, a rabbit stick accuracy contest, and a
fire-starting contest, and had two catagories, for adults and children. Jack Johnson provided first place
trophies: chipped flint replicas of the Langtry point. The Shumla School provided certificates of
participation for all competitors, and certificates for first, second and third place for each category and
event. About a dozen competitors entered in both categories.
The Austin team brought home the gold, or in the case, the chirt. Bobcat Smith won the adult division of
the atlatl contest. Roy Wenmohs was the best all around caveman, and the only contestant to place in
every event. Fortunately for the competitors, Jack Johnson, an expert with the atlatl and rabbit stick, did not
enter the contest. Neal Stilley of the Texas Historical Commission provided fire-starting demonstrations
throughout the afternoon and he didn't compete in the contests. However, next year we hope they will
compete.
Joe Labadie from the Amistad National Park shared a collection of authentic replicas of atlatls and darts,
as well as various prehistoric items including paleo-flip-flops. The Archeolympics provided an opportunity
for people interested in experimental archeology to get together and talk. Developing some type of Texas
atlatl association was a popular idea. We also discussed the idea of assembling a team of experts to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the atlatl as a tool for hunting.
The next major atlatl competitions in Texas are both at flint knapping festivals. One is in Fredericksburg,
on April 12 & 13th. And the next one is the last weekend in September in Llano, Texas. See you there!!!
[WAA article] The Seminole Canyon State Park in South Texas is a great place to see prehistoric paintings
of atlatls. In February of 2008 the Austin Atlatl Team traveled to that Park to study archeology and to
participate in the Archeolympics, hosted by Jack Johnson of the Shumla School. This event was made
possible by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.
The Archeolympic events included an atlatl accuracy contest, a rabbit stick accuracy contest, and a
fire-starting contest, and had two catagories, for adults and children. Jack Johnson provided first place
trophies: chipped flint replicas of the Langtry point. The Shumla School provided certificates of
participation for all competitors, and certificates for first, second and third place for each category and
event. About a dozen competitors entered in both categories.
The Austin team brought home the gold, or in the case, the chirt. Bobcat Smith won the adult division of
the atlatl contest. Roy Wenmohs was the best all around caveman, and the only contestant to place in
every event. Fortunately for the competitors, Jack Johnson, an expert with the atlatl and rabbit stick, did not
enter the contest. Neal Stilley of the Texas Historical Commission provided fire-starting demonstrations
throughout the afternoon and he didn't compete in the contests. However, next year we hope they will
compete.
Joe Labadie from the Amistad National Park shared a collection of authentic replicas of atlatls and darts,
as well as various prehistoric items including paleo-flip-flops. The Archeolympics provided an opportunity
for people interested in experimental archeology to get together and talk. Developing some type of Texas
atlatl association was a popular idea. We also discussed the idea of assembling a team of experts to
demonstrate the effectiveness of the atlatl as a tool for hunting.
The next major atlatl competitions in Texas are both at flint knapping festivals. One is in Fredericksburg,
on April 12 & 13th. And the next one is the last weekend in September in Llano, Texas. See you there!!!
- In January the team began experimenting with creative strategies for
hunting with the atlatl. Unfortunately, no animals were harmed. Roy
vows to cease hunting with modern weapons.
Sept 27th -28th
Llano Knap-In
Llano Knap-In
August 8, 9, 10, New York Atlatl Association, Inc.
New York State Atlatl Championships West Almond Vigil West
Almond, Team Atlatl Championship, Individuals Championships,
Distance Throw Championships, Hunter's Animal Round
Championships, European Atlatl Course Championships (NYAA
Exhibition Competition), ISAC's, IASAC's, more.
New York State Atlatl Championships West Almond Vigil West
Almond, Team Atlatl Championship, Individuals Championships,
Distance Throw Championships, Hunter's Animal Round
Championships, European Atlatl Course Championships (NYAA
Exhibition Competition), ISAC's, IASAC's, more.
- Bobcat & Roy apply for the Graduate College, at Texas State
University in San Marcos: Anthropology and Sociology. - Grand opening of the online Trading Post,
Schedule of ISAC competitions.
August 17,
Emma Long Park, Austin, Texas
The Austin Archery Club:
3-D target tournament every 3rd Sunday (Jan - Aug)
contest fee = $12. 8:30 AM - 1 PM
More information available online:
http://www.austinarcheryclub.com
Emma Long Park, Austin, Texas
The Austin Archery Club:
3-D target tournament every 3rd Sunday (Jan - Aug)
contest fee = $12. 8:30 AM - 1 PM
More information available online:
http://www.austinarcheryclub.com
Each October is Texas Archeology Month
The Austin Archery Club, by Roy Wenmohs
(WAA article) The Austin atlatl team has joined forces with the Austin Archery Club. They
have a huge range in some of the most rugged country that you can find. Every third
Sunday they hold a tournament with thirty 3-D targets placed ingeniously in the thick
brush. In February they invited us to participate and in March we took them up on that
offer. The other competitors were very friendly and helpful. Most of the archers
recognized my atlatl and they were interested. I was amazed at their skills with bows.
Approximately 100 archers were competing and I had the lowest score. Unfortunately,
prizes were awarded for the highest scores. We are very thankful to the Austin Archery
Club for providing these opportunities for us to train on their range with these highly
skilled people.
(WAA article) The Austin atlatl team has joined forces with the Austin Archery Club. They
have a huge range in some of the most rugged country that you can find. Every third
Sunday they hold a tournament with thirty 3-D targets placed ingeniously in the thick
brush. In February they invited us to participate and in March we took them up on that
offer. The other competitors were very friendly and helpful. Most of the archers
recognized my atlatl and they were interested. I was amazed at their skills with bows.
Approximately 100 archers were competing and I had the lowest score. Unfortunately,
prizes were awarded for the highest scores. We are very thankful to the Austin Archery
Club for providing these opportunities for us to train on their range with these highly
skilled people.
April Fools Day. Members of the Austin Texas Lithic Arts & Technology League, from left to right:
Robert Bogan, Roy Wenmohs, Bobcat Smith, and in the back of the truck, Christian Stiehler.
Robert Bogan, Roy Wenmohs, Bobcat Smith, and in the back of the truck, Christian Stiehler.
TSU Fall 2008
August 27-December 16
Anthropology Courses
August 27-December 16
Anthropology Courses
- April 12, demonstrated atlatl skills at Fredericksburg flint knappin.
- April 20, competed in Austin Archery Club tournament.
- May 17, Flintknapping lesson with Bill Metcalf
- May 18, Bobcat and Roy competed in Austin Archery Club tournament.
- May 27, Began publishing videos on YouTube.
- May 28, Bobcat camo demo #1 at SteeleDog's house.
- May 31, Wenmohs Ranch Knapp In: demonstrated 1. fire starting, flint
knapping, and 3. the atlatl. - June 22, competed in Austin Archery Club tournament.
- July 1, Bill Metcalf died.
- July 8, Roy demonstrated the bow-drill as a fire maker.
- July 13, Bobcat and Roy competed in Austin Archery Club tournament.
Oct 3, Dime Box Archeology Fair
August 5, Bobcat camo demo #2.
Exact date, time and location to be
announced on July 29 during regular
team meeting.
Exact date, time and location to be
announced on July 29 during regular
team meeting.
Dec 16, camo belt demo
Saturday, October 11,
Williamson County Historical Museum
Williamson County Historical Museum
Oct 17 – 19
The Rock Art Foundation
White Shaman Preserve
http://www.fellowpages.org/rockart/tours.cfm
The Rock Art Foundation
White Shaman Preserve
http://www.fellowpages.org/rockart/tours.cfm
July 15
Atlatl demo in Duncan Park
Atlatl demo in Duncan Park