How to Build an Atlatl for hunting (part 1)

Watch part 2 of this video where you learn everything you need to know about building the thrower also. click here • How to Build an Atlatl...
Ryan Gill shows and explains the hows and whys of building an atlatl suited for hunting. Ryan is an accomplished Primitive Hunter that goes further than anyone to recreate and improve upon the tools of the past, and then put them to practical use.
You can find more information and Purchase atlatls at
www.huntprimitive.com
Other videos of interest are linked below.
Hunting Rams with the atlatl • Stone Age Spear Huntin...
Hunting hogs with the atlatl • Hog Hunting with the A...
How to throw the atlatl for Hunting • How to throw the atlat...

[@allendeanhuscusson459]

I’m 63 years old and recovering from open heart surgery I had a valve replaced and 80% of my aorta rebuilt an after seeing you and several videos I want to learn I understand that I’ve not got as much time to become skilled at tool making my hunting experience is minimal but I did hunt when I was a lot younger

[@jimmyrustler8983]

Hope you are doing well 👍

[@richarddavis8863]

My dad told me you're never too old to try something new. He would do backflips off the train trellis into the river at 60 some years old. I hope you get out there and bag some game with a primitive weapon this season

[@NoRussian808]

You doing ok?

[@MKG_]

Hey sir i know this is t really related but i dont think you should share so much information about yourself on the internet esspecially since your username is your real name it could prove to be dangerous

[@sammcgrail3949]

@@MKG_ bruh chill

[@wallaroo1295]

I just moved to Arizona, and what a great place to pick up materials for atlatls! I found a great grove of cane in a bridge ditch by the train tracks. They grow pretty straight since the ditch is deep and steep sided. I just harvested my first batch today, and I was... ehh, close to what you describe as ideal, so not bad for not having seen the video first - I have some viable pieces I think, just shorter. I look forward to your instructions for the thowers.

[@TheAca300]

This is the best video on atlatls on YT, in my humble opinion , and one of my favourites videos of all time! Thank you for making this kind of educational content, and I can only see your channel growing from this point on! Good luck, and continue, you are on the right track!

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much and flattery will only get you more videos!

[@TheAca300]

HuntPrimitive you're very much welcome, and can't wait! :)

[@thefeatheredfrontiersman8135]

Did you see Billy burgers 3 part series on his yt channel primative pathways? His content is exceptional as well. Check it out!

[@georgemiller1575]

bass wood carving V

[@georgemiller1575]

@@huntprimitive9918 Basswood carving

[@robertcole7874]

I've always felt that a large amount of these banner stones were actually used as clubbing tools. That way you can dispatch an animal that may not have been killed by the dart. I have no evidence for this but a large amount of these stones looked highly effective for impact. That way their dart thrower was a weapon as well.

[@pauljohnston9446]

I think it was to add weight to the throw making the dart go further and faster ...

[@thelastneanderthal3171]

Great video, Man. I like the paleo-correct way that you build your hardware. I have learned a lot. Forty years ago I saw very similar techniques among BRAZILIAN Indians that until a few years before lived with Stone Age technology. The points may have been made of hard palmwood or shaped animal bones, the glue was made of resins and dissolved animal hide but he idea was basically the same. I have seen Tapirs and Peckeris been effectively taken with this technology.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much!

[@AtTheHomestead]

Been watching videos for a couple of hours on how to build and yours has been the most informative by far. I definitely have the concept down now and I'm confident I can build one. Thank you for sharing

[@joshuaolewiler3255]

Dang...built a thrower and dart set after watching your pig hunt a year ago, but after watching this realized my darts are the same diameter as your foreshaft here 😳. Looks like I need to upgrade!

[@sonofafrica514]

It’s more and more apparent to me that the so called primitive people lived a lot better than we do today. The ate fresh food, drank fresh water, breathe fresh air and the most important thing, they had time to enjoy this life. I would trade this modern life in a heart beat to go back in time and be a primitive hunter who respected nature and lived for the hunt off the land 🙏🏿

[@leviroch]

Hospitals and modern medicine are pretty dope. . .

[@lawrencelimburger9160]

@@leviroch Agreed, and the rose tint of the view of the past looks past a whooolee lot of hunger....

[@leviroch]

@@lawrencelimburger9160 yeh. . . And refrigeration is pretty goddamn useful for basically EVERYTHING (although coming from Australia where it's fucking hot ALL the time means I may be somewhat biased lol)

[@filminger5096]

You are so right keep going down this path

[@filminger5096]

@@leviroch don’t need a refrigerator

[@allendeanhuscusson459]

I’m so captivated by your trining I feel as I’m connected to you as you convey what you are doing I used to be a trainer in restaurant industry I mastered the techniques first and became consistently efficient I trained out of necessity.I truly feel that I understand the procedures that you are talking about

[@draven3838]

Everything you are saying and teaching is right on ,the dart and also have to be made to suit the handler , I use 8 1/2 - 9' darts myself ,the shorter 6' darts are great for rabbits and fish and point size depends on what you hunt

[@dcstolteadventures]

Another excellent video. I really appreciate your experimental science approach to primitive hunting.

[@rngkon-tiki5327]

Awesome stuff you’re doing. Thanx. Atlatl is my fav.

[@gabrielpottebaum5249]

Love the video Ryan! Kinda peiced together your philosophy on hunting Atlatls from previous videos (which I believe was the goal) but it's nice to hear your reasoning for why and even better to have it accompanied by a great build.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much! Yeah I figured those that really wanted to know probably already pieced together all the elements from my previous videos

[@fabricio-agrippa-zarate]

Interesting fact: most people think that the atlatl was a war weapon for the aztecs, but actually it was just a hunting tool. Just as it is being mentioned here, the atlatl throws a heavy, powerfull projectile, that really it wasn't necessary in war. Because most of the warriors aztecs fought against were pretty much naked, any sort of sharp thing would had done the job, but when the spanish warriors appeared, not only armour itself made impossible for aztec weapons to do any damage, but even the woolen clothing did it hard. This is why the atlatl had to be put in service against the conquistadors.

[@jeffchandler8813]

Very "pre-historically" correct build!

[@Carlos-hs8zo]

This is good stuff...I enjoyed your video. You are a craftsman and attention to detail is good to see.

[@dannywatson3213]

I've wanted to make and hunt with one since I was a kid. Enjoyed your video.

[@sarahgraves7107]

WOW! I am so glad that I stumbled onto your videos! Absolutely wonderful. as a life-long history buff and living history re-enactor, they are right up my alley. Instant like & subscribe! ps: I am not Sarah. Just using her phone tonight. haha 😉

[@HalfQ]

Excellent, I have grown bamboo for exactly this reason and it's ready to harvest. That was a great instructional film. Ty. p.s. I'm planning on making a blow pipe too. I'm just waiting for the thistles to go to seed for the flights.

[@raythaneelarquero9204]

You gave me some cool ideas, specially about foreshafts. Thanks a lot!

[@KunimunduR]

Excellent video! I like your clear way of communicating everything and I very much respect your skills!

[@zeyianmelo2435]

Very cool video!!! Lots of useful info, thanks Ryan!!

[@nevillesavage2012]

I love all these videos. I have such a passion for flint knapping but it is very difficult to fing Knappable stones where I'm located. Which is funny because you can find Folsom and Clovis points(broken usually) in the Mesa near my house.

[@jasestrong]

You make it look so easy just sitting squatted down and building this atlatl . Thank you for all the great information you provide the public. Great job again Ryan.

[@anarchism]

you're fucking stupid and a kid

[@larryeddings3185]

Beautiful and knowledgeable primitive craftsmanship.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much

[@alexhuntingoutdoordays6192]

Hi Ryan. Creativity in weapons to go hunting,,, Great Videos.

[@Kinjia200euro]

Your dedication is inspiring! Primitiv, effektiv and beautiful! What a cool guy

[@2862Gunny]

This is a fantastic video tutorial. Thank you!

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it

[@fasmola]

Your recently released documentary brought me to your channel. It’s fascinating! As I listened to you discuss heavier spear weights for penetration, I thought about the Ashby foundation and arrow FOC. I’m sure you’ve seen their research. I was wondering if you thought about adding weight to the head of the spear, rather than adding length. It seems it would make the spine of the spear more rigged for flight stability and increase penetration without adding “archer paradox” or or difficulty throwing due to the length of the spear. Thank you for making these video! They have inspired me to rethink hunting!

[@fire_x_friction8820]

Awesome video!!! A traditional bowhunter about to make the switch!!!

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much and best of luck on your primitive journey!

[@MultiCamdaddy]

what craftsmanship very well done sir

[@grantnorthcott5112]

My first time watching your video. To say that I'm impressed is a great understatement. I've always wondered how the lashing was used to attach the flint point to a shaft.

[@darrinellis1630]

Watching , learning, building my own.thabk you for help Sir

[@HaggardOutdoors]

great build, very informative.

[@rateloutdoors4254]

thanks (; i think i was all of those requests

[@RebeccaSB]

Beautiful work.

[@jakob4644]

Thank you for your videos, they have been very useful! I used your tutorial on how to throw with the atlatl when I did my Bachelors project in Prehistoric Archaeology, which was part experimental.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much and great to know I am putting out content to help others. thanks for following along!

[@MrDalebob1957]

Have you ever tried forsythia for dart/arrow shafts. Wild forsythia is a invasive ornamental bush and it grows every where in Illinois especially in strip mines . Turkeys love the berry's . You have to plane down the old woody stalks . Dense hard wood and hollow , by the time you reduce it down to arrow size it's all most strait .

[@oisinnewport8668]

Nice vid, lovely points.

[@justauser4456]

Awesome video, tired of video games, time to try this in real life

[@mattgotro2705]

Nicholas Kaiser I remember when I was where you are

[@robertbrunston5406]

Very good! Thank you Ryan.

[@Elmriver]

Great video Ryan. I'd like to see one where you build the atlatl and match it to the darts.

[@charles17683]

You absolutely rock. I'd enjoy hunting with you.

[@SamtheIrishexan]

"If you're gonna be a bear be a grizzly." Indeed

[@rachdarastrix5251]

Personally I would start with shafts that are as heavy as possible to practice distance and then when I think I am good to do phase 2 I would then use much lighter shafts and practice accuracy.

[@RiverbendlongbowsOutdoors]

Very awesome Ryan👍

[@jasonfryer7002]

Wow..the same design as a Roman pylum....removeable heads from a spear....this was an awesome video ...and terrific informative narration.....one day. Man is going to have to relearn all of this...I feel privileged to see and learn from your video.....do you Flint knap your own arrow heads as well?...is that animal sinew?....@ a video on how to make pine sap glue would be super cool too!!.....I am surrounded by perfect cane, and would enjoy trying this. Your video here is the BEST!! 🎩s off..big time!!!

[@ehrengross1827]

excellent tutorial.

[@georgiasoldier01]

Another great video! Hey I like the shirt your wearing. I have noticed it in a couple of the other videos you made. I’m steadily working through them all. Once it starts warming up here gonna have to get my primitive on. 😊 I’m wondering if the Germanic people had the same types of weapons in the US. Also thank you earlier for your comments last time.

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much. There are definitely many similarities of weapons worldwide, including Germany and America. Both cultures had their own versions of the atlatl and bow and arrow with slight variances.

[@jacobmccoury789]

A master of his Craft

[@jayofalltrades7082]

This is awesome, and I laughed at the cat.

[@ToddWittenmyerBackwoodsLiving]

Amazing work! I've gotcha subbed!

[@williamlockhart5031]

Very informative!

[@GoannaEarthskills]

Great video Ryan! Love the dart, looks very practical and similar to the traditional ones used to fell megafauna. Could imagine you knocking down a mastodon haha. Can't wait for the video on the spear thrower part of the atlatl. Thanks for great content! What shirt are you wearing? I've seen you wearing it, i really like the traditional designs. Wouldn't mind grabbing one or five hahaha Have a good one mate!

[@educationalstuff137]

i too would like to know where that shirt came from! I'd buy one!

[@andrewcheshire244]

Became curious about this weapon after the movie "The Silencing".

[@leprechan9]

Great

[@johngonzalez5593]

Those are some beautiful spear head's.

[@artcianfanojr]

Love your page and really enjoyed the re enacted primitive Bison hunt with the Texas A&M people. Quick question. River cane is not as plentiful in my area, central NJ, but we have tons of regular cane. What are the pros and cons of regular cane for the foreshaft compared to river cane? Keep up the great work.

[@rizkeppert7031]

sir, when I'm older I intend to build a cabin and never return to society. I appreciate your wisdom and I will do my best to use it correctly. sincerely - Rilley

[@caileach1]

I must admit as a old hippie never liked guns, etc . Always thought the simple bow was cool , respects nature and a fair hunt. Also the hunter hence deserves respect . This video is absolutely awesome... thank you. A real man is a real hunter or woman as such!

[@justinmurray4652]

A gun is more humane than the bow. I'm a bow hunter and that's the truth

[@caileach1]

@@justinmurray4652 not when it is aimed at humans and of course the assault type guns. Too much destruction.. now THAT is Inhumane . Why are you promoting the gun.. but you say you are a “bow hunter”and hence in your remark, manage to call your action “Inhumane”?

[@bearwisler]

Great video

[@surftavi14]

i love your videos your the best

[@gonzoiguess7301]

Hi Ryan, great video! I’m looking to make an atlatl for fishing. What considerations need to be made compared to your hunting version? I’d imagine shorter length, lighter weight perhaps but I figured I’d try and get your opinion. Thank you!

[@uncleho313]

truly inspiring ! so 8-9 feet with a 3-5kg weight ??? ( I didn t catch the 3000-5000 grams or was it grains??). Would you recommend similar dimension for fishing (with a fishing style spear head though) ?

[@lulaluka1331]

Great instructional, but I wonder if there is a way to use the common reed (phragmites australis) for the spear because there is no river cain in my area. Common reed might be thinner and more fragile, and also shorter but do you think it can be used for smaller game?

[@elohansen8971]

This hunting tool, are used in the movie QUEST FOR FIRE with Ron Perlman. A movie from 1981.

[@camojoe83]

Holy sh!t... That did have Ron in it..

[@juwright1949]

Excellent!

[@GaryArmstrongmacgh]

This part of the project looks very doable. What to do or those of us not into (or handy with) flint knapping.

[@erlycuyler]

A rib bone from a larger animal can also make an effective point.

[@larryreese6146]

Question: I have heard that banner stones were some type of counter weight or aid in throwing. Different types of aids by different names have been explained by archaeologists. What is your take on them. What do you think they were actually used for? Could some type of counter weight have been used? For the life of me I cant see how some loose slinging banging rocks could have been anything but a nuisance, regardless of how well shaped they were.

[@huntprimitive9918]

I think a lot of people are calling things banner stones that are not banner stones. I used a banner stone in my Bison video. It was most certainly a counterbalance so the spear wasn't so heavy in the front. Mine was very securely help in place and affixed to the bottom.Artifacts with holes in them are not banner stones as some think. Much more likely they were used as hitting tools.

[@timeorspace]

I'm curious to know why darts require one fewer fletching than archery arrows commonly use. Is it simply a consequence of fewer obstacles encountered during launching?

[@hankczinaski915]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@TheAyoproductions]

Loved the video man randomly stumbled upon your channel and it's pretty legit you are a badass! One question/request tho - how do you successfully get those super thin strands of sinew and furthermore how do you keep them soft and stringy like that? Is there some way of canning it or do you just use fresh sinew? Thanks and happy hunting

[@huntprimitive9918]

thanks very much. I peel the sinew apart with my fingers but to get it soft and pliable, You chew it. it will dry hard again once it is applied.

[@JakeLHyde]

A really informative and enjoyable video. What species of cane is best, or does it not particularly matter?

[@jasonfryer7002]

River cane

[@RH-vl2wy]

What type of stone are you using for a grinding stone? 18:46 Do you ever use sandstone?

[@draven3838]

How come you don't use the node for you socket ? I do and it works awesome

[@j.shorter4716]

What do you think the best dart point is for deer and hog without considering the skill it takes to make them?

[@nickierunner1962]

Thats Good, i gibt with Atlatl too 👍

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good information

[@MatthewBendyna]

What would be a good material to use in place of rivercane in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado?

[@jdzencelowcz]

If I were going for this hobby, I'd prob'ly use bamboo shafts, 6ft, with pine fore-shafts, 2ft, & maybe more modern materials for the tips & fletching.

[@manofreedom]

nice Dalton points.

[@klaesandersen4987]

Great video! I can’t wait to give it a try myself. I noticed you didn’t tie the ends of the sinew down when you were done wrapping it, won’t it come of easier when you don’t tie it? I have no experience working with sinew so sorry if it’s a stupid question. Keep up the good work. Big fan from Denmark. Klaes

[@huntprimitive9918]

it has its own natural glues so it stays down pretty well. no knot needed at all. a little hide glue, drop of pitch or wood glue keeps it down really well

[@notmefrfr]

Atltatle vs bow debate is like the .45 vs 9mm debate. Muh stopping power or muh speed

[@leprechan9]

Potato potato

[@AhJodie]

Thank you.

[@BorderCowboy66]

Nice video brother, but for the novice or beginner, you should give alternatives if infact they have no access to river cane / bamboo

[@devildogsbushcraft7898]

Not sure if we have river cane in New Hampshire, but I never knew of this until this week. If no river cane, I will have to find something similar. Something long straight and tough. Do you have any ideas of a material that may be here in New Hampshire?

[@olympicblackpowderrifles3155]

Are those river canes naturally tapered towards the top? Do you correct that at all? I have cut a few hazel darts shafts and they are considerable thicker at the base.

[@calebchristensen900]

Amazing video and I love the idea and concept. However I would imagine that ancestral atlatl’s used to fell megafauna would be massive with your hypothesis. I’d imagine that the spear shafts would be at a minimum and inch in diameter. And you’d be forced to use hardwood and still need a 8 1/2, 9 1/2 ft spear shaft. I’d imagine the overall weight would be a minimum of 4500 gr. and larger. With that being said, I think it’d be reasonable to have the atlatl, maybe 5-6 spears at the most, and then as many foreshafts and heads as necessary. Probably more then one of any type.

[@huntprimitive9918]

In less than a month I am doing a bison atlatl hunt/production. I am still using cane about 9 ft long but with hardwood foreshafts and a banner on my thrower to counterbalance it. I am getting about 4200 grains on average with those and they have quite the impact., but it's also a lot of spear to handle. I hope to do some future work with hardwood spears, but first I am going to take the cane as far as it can go. We should learn a heck of a lot from this is regards to what it really takes to hunt very large game. I am super excited to go do it.

[@calebchristensen900]

@@huntprimitive9918 Best of luck to you!!!

[@randomnamesoicanfindmyself3123]

Would it be possible to build an atlatl dart for hunting with only sinew or only glue?

[@hunternelson1679]

How do you make wood shafts for arrows???

[@lsetzer2668]

Will you have a video on how to build the atlatl thrower.

[@huntprimitive9918]

yup for sure. This one was already long enough so I decided to split it up. I will have that portion out soon

[@micahcampa]

Nice video

[@RenaissanceSteve]

how would you make the foreshafts for hardwood shafts or would you? Not much cane in Indiana so all the spears iv made dont have a foreshaft.

[@christopherengland7245]

Would you ever show making the spears with hardwood?

[@plaguexyz666]

Fascinating

[@TheElectricalNut]

I've never worked with sinew before so excuse me if it sounds dumb haha. It appears that your not tying a knot when you're wrapping your just pulling it tight and laying the sinew down, how does that work?

[@doctordutch]

what is the black stuff used to lube or adhere arrow head?

[@samuelbrice3699]

If you're more of a bow guy, but need sinew to build the bow, is using an atlatl the best way to obtain said sinew?

[@davidharper6776]

Question: what if I used wax, instead of glue, by pouring a fairly small amount (1/4", maybe a tad less) into the chamber to buffer the impact of the fore-shaft helping to prevent splitting the shaft at the floor or node of the main-shaft? I think it would be easy to clean up the inside walls of the chamber to remove excess wax and that it would have like a shock absorbing effect by spreading out the impact force more evenly (into the main shaft) than the contact points of the glue and the fore-shaft would by helping to prevent splitting. Just an idea that popped up...what do you (anyone really) think?

[@EdmundMar]

Wouldn't the wax be to fluid and act hydrollicly and split the shaft?

[@adreabrooks11]

Great video! Another method of preventing "back-penetration" (having the fore-shaft driven backward through the cane "floor" and into the next hollow section) is to wrap a bit of sinew around the foreshaft, just where it seats against the cane. This creates a shock-absorbent stopper that will prevent the foreshaft from ramming any deeper into the chamber. It also adds a little extra friction patch, and help prevent deeper penetration. If sinew is not wanted or unavailable, some of the more elastic bark cordage options should also work. By the bye: I agree that it's probably not needed for a cane such as what you are using. However, some lighter canes and certain bamboos have chamber walls that are either thinner, or which grow brittle when dry - and might therefore benefit from some reinforcing. Thanks for the interesting and informative video! It was a pleasure to watch your art unfold.

[@suthernsavage5643]

Nice dude