When you think of primitive weapons, you might picture a flintlock rifle, a Brown Bess musket, or perhaps a bow and arrow. But long before any of those existed, humans were already hunting and fighting. Early weapons were simple and crude: clubs and spears thrown by hand. Then came one of mankind’s earliest mechanical innovations, a tool that marked a significant leap forward in hunting and warfare technology: the atlatl.
What Is an Atlatl?
According to the World Atlatl Association, an atlatl is a stick with a handle on one end and a hook or spur on the other, where a spear or dart is placed. When used, the atlatl is flipped forward, propelling the dart with far greater speed and distance than a spear thrown by hand alone.
The atlatl dates back thousands of years, with examples discovered on nearly every continent except Africa, though many archaeologists believe that is simply because one has yet to be found there.
The word “atlatl” comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, who were still using the tool in the 1500s when the Spanish first encountered them. Other cultures around the world had their own names for the same tool. By around 1000 BC, the atlatl had largely been replaced in many parts of the world by the bow and arrow.
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Construction and Function
Atlatls can be made from a variety of materials, including deer antler, though most modern versions are made from wood.
They are used to launch spears, commonly referred to as darts, which typically range from 5 to 9 feet in length. These darts are fitted with feathers, called fletching, that help stabilize them in flight for improved accuracy. The tips are equipped with either field points or broadheads, similar to modern arrows.
The Comeback of the Atlatl
In recent years, the atlatl has experienced a resurgence, both in hunting and in competitive use.
While many states have yet to fully embrace atlatl hunting, Missouri has become a leader in its modern revival. With the help of a dedicated group of enthusiasts, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) approved the use of the atlatl for hunting small game in 2007.
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By 2010, the MDC expanded those regulations to allow deer hunting with an atlatl, initially during rifle season, and later during the state’s four-month archery season.
First Blood
Missouri also holds several modern milestones for atlatl hunting.
The first game animal taken in modern times with an atlatl in the state was a gray squirrel. In 2011, Luke Boenker became the first hunter to harvest a whitetail deer in modern times using an atlatl in Missouri.
Since then, several deer have been taken with the tool, including Paul Gragg’s massive 15-point buck harvested in St. Charles, Missouri, in 2015. In 2017, Dawn Wagner became the first woman in modern times to take a deer with an atlatl in Missouri.
Today, Alabama and Nebraska also allow the use of atlatls for hunting game animals, while a few other states permit their use for non-game species.
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From Hobby to Business
Mitchell Lockwood of Marceline, Missouri, owner of Atlatl Madness, was introduced to the atlatl by a coworker.
“I already had the tools, so I designed something I liked and made it,” Lockwood said. “The very first one I made, I put on eBay and it sold almost immediately. That’s when it clicked for me: if I’m going to make handles, I need darts to go with them.”
Lockwood has since shipped atlatls and darts all over the world. Some of his work has even appeared in films, and he is currently producing pieces for an upcoming TV show.
The Key to Using an Atlatl
“One of the biggest challenges with learning the atlatl is understanding that you’re not really ‘throwing’ the dart,” Lockwood explains. “A lot of people try to muscle it, but that’s not how it works. You have to let the handle do the work. The spur engages the dimple in the dart and gives you leverage—it’s what allows the dart to be slung forward with speed and force.”
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“When I first got started, I practiced all the time,” he adds. “I came to the conclusion that if I didn’t have enough time to practice regularly, I shouldn’t be out there trying to take a deer.”
A Different Kind of Challenge
The atlatl isn’t a grab-and-go hunting tool like a compound bow. Mastering it takes serious time. Having tried one on several occasions, it’s clear that accuracy comes only through consistent practice. But that challenge is part of the appeal. The atlatl is both frustrating and rewarding, just not always at the same time.
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