Poachers bits

Freddy · 19th March 2005, 07:21 PM

Tim, I think these harpoons were also used to hunt the bigger animals, like the African buffalo.
The idea is that the point enters the body of the animal. The harpoon point then gets loose from the shaft, but remains attached to it with the cord. In this way, an animal running into the bush gets entangled in the shrubs. It slows the animal down, making it possible for the hunter to follow it much easier. It also weakens the animal through blood loss and so the final blow will be easier to make.

Conogre · 19th March 2005, 07:40 PM

Smaller game, perhaps, Freddy, but I don't know of a bush raised African stupid enough to throw one of those at a buffalo......trust me, the rope or cable probably wouldn't slow it much, particularly bad because it's more likely to be coming AT you rather than running away, with the cape buffalo being listed among the most dangerous game on the continent.
Not only will they take on a whole pride of lions if needs be, but they were famous for circling around hunters tracking them and turning the tables.
Sweet spear, although I'd be surprised to see a short spear used on anything but a very small croc......usually you want one long enough so that once impaled there's still room between the end of the spear, the animal(either end) and yourself.
The bony plates in crocodilian hides are heavy enough to deflect a spear, arrow or even a small caliber bullet, with only the underside of the throat truly vulnerable.
Mike

Freddy · 21st March 2005, 09:38 PM

Hi Mike,

Did you know that the Pygmees used to kill elephants with their spears. They first cut the tendants of the elephant's heel to cripple him. Then the animal was killed. These are really small guys, you know.

So, why not a buffalo ?

derek · 6th April 2005, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Hi Mike,

Did you know that the Pygmees used to kill elephants with their spears. They first cut the tendants of the elephant's heel to cripple him. Then the animal was killed. These are really small guys, you know.

So, why not a buffalo ?

I used to have a book by Turnbull, a Belgian (?) that lived with the pygmies back in the 50's. From what he describes, a poison-tipped spear into the bladder was how they were able to bring down an elephant. The hamstringing came after the animal was weakened..
-d

tom hyle · 7th April 2005, 01:35 AM

I think he was(?) British.

derek · 7th April 2005, 04:03 AM

Turnbull is very British name now that I think about it. Was the Congo a Belgian colony at that time?
-d

19th March 2005, 07:21 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Other targets Tim, I think these harpoons were also used to hunt the bigger animals, like the African buffalo. The idea is that the point enters the body of the animal. The harpoon point then gets loose from the shaft, but remains attached to it with the cord. In this way, an animal running into the bush gets entangled in the shrubs. It slows the animal down, making it possible for the hunter to follow it much easier. It also weakens the animal through blood loss and so the final blow will be easier to make.

21st March 2005, 09:38 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Don't underestimate the Africans Hi Mike, Did you know that the Pygmees used to kill elephants with their spears. They first cut the tendants of the elephant's heel to cripple him. Then the animal was killed. These are really small guys, you know. So, why not a buffalo ?

19th March 2005, 07:40 PM	#2
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Smaller game, perhaps, Freddy, but I don't know of a bush raised African stupid enough to throw one of those at a buffalo......trust me, the rope or cable probably wouldn't slow it much, particularly bad because it's more likely to be coming AT you rather than running away, with the cape buffalo being listed among the most dangerous game on the continent. Not only will they take on a whole pride of lions if needs be, but they were famous for circling around hunters tracking them and turning the tables. Sweet spear, although I'd be surprised to see a short spear used on anything but a very small croc......usually you want one long enough so that once impaled there's still room between the end of the spear, the animal(either end) and yourself. The bony plates in crocodilian hides are heavy enough to deflect a spear, arrow or even a small caliber bullet, with only the underside of the throat truly vulnerable. Mike

7th April 2005, 01:35 AM	#5
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I think he was(?) British.

7th April 2005, 04:03 AM	#6
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Turnbull is very British name now that I think about it. Was the Congo a Belgian colony at that time? -d