Pole Spear

[teamnelson]

My son and I have been discussing the usefulness of a pole spear on dry land. For folks who might not be familiar, a pole spear is essentially a fiberglass stick with a point on one end and a fat rubber band on the other end. Very commonly used here for spear fishing - which is like hunting and snorkeling at the same time. Give you about 6-8 foot range, with a paralyzer tip a fat fish won't wriggle off, and it remains attached to your hand if you hold it right. And they're $24 at wallyworld. Or if you want a fancy graphite collapsible one they're like $70.

We've tested our theory on the 3lb bullfrogs that wander into the backyard, and found them to be even faster out of water, and just as deadly. No sound whatsoever.

This may sound weird but has anyone ever used one on a non-aquatic animal, like a rabbit, squirrel, rodent, or a bird? You'd have to be close, but there's no movement to telegraph the shot - just loose the grip of your hand.

S/F,
Chaps

[mannyrock]

  Interesting thought.

  My personal opinion would be that you would spend far more calories of energy trying to kill a rabbit with a spear than the ultimate food value of any rabbit you might kill.  Most healthy rabbits won't let you get within 30 feet of them without bolting.  Even if you got close enough for the spear, rabbits have lightening reflexes and I believe that most of them would have time to react to your body and throwing motion and "jump" the spear.    You may be able to get closer to a squirrel, but they are much smaller in the body, and the odds of you ever hitting one with a spear would be nearly nill.

  Again, for the cost of the spear ($25) you could buy 500 rounds of .22LR hollow points, or if you don't want to make that much noise, you could buy about 250 rounds of CB Longs, and have 100 times more efficiency in killing any small game, and 3 times the range of a spear. 

   Folks spend alot of time focusing on the concept that eventually, all ammunition would be used up in society, and eventually everyone would have to go to long bows or spears.  Maybe so.  But, I would want to be one the LAST people to run out of ammo and switch to a bow or spear, not one of the first people.  So, any funds that others would invest in advance in spear or bow would be invested by me in ammo.

  Just my thoughts.

Mannyrock

[teamnelson]

Good points. My thought is to be one of the last to run out too ... by not using it when I don't have to.

[mannyrock]

 Yes.  I can see the wisdom of maybe using a spear to conserve ammo.  For me, though, a long bow, even home made, would do much better out to 25 yards.  Long bows, unlike big recurves or compounds, are very easy to learn to shoot instinctively, if you just practice about 20 minutes every day.  Eventually, you just draw, look and release.  I had one when I was about twelve, and had no problem hitting rabbit size targets at 25 yards. Once, I even killed a squirrel, who made the mistake of standing up in my back yard to look at me.  The arrow went halfway through his body and carried him back about 5 feet.

  And, since you are talking about small game, you certainly wouldn't need a heavy draw weight.  Twenty five to thirty pounds is all you would need.  Keeping good fletchings on the arrows is the hardest dang thing of all!

Regards,

Mannrock

 

[bilmac]

There is always the occasional rabbit that will let you get within a few feet, but for every one of those you would have to watch 50 thumb their nose at you.

[Swamp Rat]

would work for gigging frogs, but I would probably opt for a sling shot/wrist rocket first on dry land.

That said, I use a 6' cypress walking stick and I keep a spear head/gig in my pack

[mjh]

Spear yes, pole spear (hawiian sling) type not so much.  The idea of a walking stick with a spear head or frog gig head in your pack is a very good one. Available for use but not a stand out object on every day trecks.  Adaptable multi use gear.  I do have Cold Steel hog spear and another spear head that I put on a ash tool handle.  Had to search a bit for a decent tool handle thought.  Not my everyday carry kinds stuff though.  I do have frog gig heads in several kits though.  A hand branch is not too far away.

[Yankee1]

I have used a 9' sea lance for a few years in the Gulf of Mexico. They work very well for spearing fish.  I would prefer the bow for small or large game.
I have long bows, recurves, and compounds. They all work well.
If I were to use a spear I would practice using it with the atlatl. The flatter trajectory would be an asset. I've been shooting a bow for over 65 years so I feel  very comfortable with them.
                                        Yankee1

[45-70.gov]

how  would a  223  powerhead  work  on rabbits