Five reasons to BAN Spears and Atlatls
 

Five reasons to BAN Spears and Atlatls for hunting Big game


1. Few hunters use spears/atlatls.

2. They are truly "primitive" weapons.

3. There are Youtube videos using spears/atlatls that are not very flattering.

4. It is hard for hunting groups and governments to defend their use to non-hunters.

5. Spear/Atlatl use might bring unwanted attention to other weapons used for hunting big game.



Based on these Five Reasons, it is very clear that the Alberta government must Ban using spears and atlatls for hunting big game.


I'm not asking for any opinions on this matter, just telling you how it is and what will be.

Didn't even think people did this for big game.

Some people spear bears.

LC

Whose 5 reasons are these to ban spears?

That's gotta be pretty intense

Hello:

911 - First Nations.

Time to drag that thing called the Charter of Rights and Freedoms out.

:thinking-006:

Awww Crap! I forgot about Aboriginal consultation. ;)





Credit belongs to the Alberta Bowhunters Association.
The ABA has requested that Spears and Atlatls be banned for hunting big game.

My understanding is that this resolution was not voted upon by the membership, that it was a decision by the President. I get the sense that the ABA is trying to get this passed under the radar. This resolution is on the agenda for discussion at the AGMAG meeting, January 14.




http://i772.photobucket.com/albums/y...andatlatls.jpg

Perhaps the ABA is concerned the growing spear chuker group will want to infringe on the bow season..........................

"Reasons" 1, 2 and 4 are not reasons, they are not arguments, they are absurd.
1. Few use them - so what? Hardly a justification for banning them.
2. They are primitive - so it the logic that says this is a 'reason' for banning them.
4. Hard to justify their use to non hunters - no one cares. Its hard to justify any hunting or hunting weapon to non hunters.

Racist :thinking-006:

Next they'll want to ban falconry as well "because few use them":confused0024:
I really think tyey overstepped their bounds here, about the same as that idjit from B&C wanting to ban long range kills for the book - only thing is, just what us long range?
the spear is not a bow, that's a given, I see no reason not to use it in a regular season however - or a bayonet or sword for that matter!:thinking-006:
Cat

It has always been my opinion that a perpetual season on all bears taken with a blade under 10" should exist.

Hmm I may just skip the archery phase and go right for the pointed stick while I still can :thinking-006:

Whomever it was from the ABA that initiated such a proposal should put their name behind it. Its friends like this that the hunting fraternity doesn't need. Lance him like the boil he is; but instead of a lance, use an atlatl!

Spears
 

I love bowhunting, I don't think spears are any more or less humane a kill if things go right. They don't always go right from bowhunters, gun hunters or spear checkers. How arrogant is it to say that a bowhunting organisation should tell spear hunters that they shouldn't hunt their way.

Spears
 

This actually p....es me off a lot the more I think about it. It takes me back to the days when rifle hunters were trying to prevent bowhunting for the very same reasons.

I had to look up what a atlatls was. They are pretty cool ! Would love to try one out.

Or the P&Y instituting the let off rule, or the stick shooters wanting to outlaw compounds, or the traditionalists wanting their own season separate from the inliners etc, etc.
I have always advocated getting rid of all the special seasons and letting it go to one big one, that way everybody could hunt wit what they wanted.
Cat

That's how we roll up here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huntin' season = Game ON

Whatever game ya wanna play is up to you.

But if it saves just one anti-hunter from complaining....


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FYI, Hunting with spears/atlatls are currently legal ONLY in general weapon (rifle) seasons. A person cannot use a spear/atlatl in the Archery only season.



As mentioned, the ABA membership did not vote on this resolution, it belongs to the President. To my knowledge the ABA membership has never been consulted on the matter. This resolution appears to be the agenda of a single person with the ability to get it to the AGMG table without having it voted on by the membership of the representative organization.



So why is the ABA trying to have them banned?

I had a long conversation with Brent Watson (ABA Pres.) in order to understand his position behind the resolution. Brent has posted on AO before and I am sure that he will be aware of this thread. I hope that Brent will reply here to correct any misunderstandings on my part.


Paraphrasing Brent's (ABA's) position;

- there have been no reported incidents/complaints of Licenced hunters using spears/atlatls resulting in the wounding and loss of big game .

- in his experience spears/atlatls are not easy enough to learn to use effectively and thus are not effective weapons.

- because spears/atlatls are not an effective weapon (in the ABA's opinion), they are thus indefensible in the event of complaints from the public.

- as spears/atlatls are indefensible as an effective weapon, the ABA cannot defend their use if asked to comment on any future issue/complaint involving these weapons.

- in order to eliminate any possibility that the public may complain about the use of spears/atlatls, and to eliminate the need for the ABA to respond to any requests for comments regarding the use of these weapons, the ABA has decided to request that the Alberta government Ban their use for big game.




To sum it up with my own words,

" if it saves just one anti-hunter from complaining...."

How about this Mr. Watson, when someone asks you for your opinion on hunting with such weapons you answer honestly. It should go something like this- " I don't have enough experience with said weapons to form an opinion so I can't comment."

If the facts are true, and WB is seldom misinformed, I am very disappointed in the abuse you have shown your position.

In his experience, spears are not easy enough to use effectively?

Really?? Dude should have to turn in his man card for even thinking that!!!!

Even I could drop a spear through a bear from a treestand if I had enough time and booze!!!!

I mean seriously....take one in the chest and then get back to me as to "how effective" they are :snapoutofit:

Will we have to register our spears?

Between this thread and the paid hunting thread.........

We have to get people like this out of positions of influence.

If we just banned tree stands... the whole spear, atlatls and for that matter bow thing would pretty much take care of itself.

They could say that you can only use a 30.06.

Many....possibly even Huntinstuff', would agree ;)

So, my boomerangs are still okay though right? Cuz I usually get my meat does with them.

This is why I don't like these special interest groups, but hey, that's the kind of thing that the membership is paying for.

"- in his opinion spears/atlatls are not easy enough to learn to use effectively and thus are not effective weapons. "

Fixed it.

This is the same ABA President that was just the other day quoted as saying he thinks there are too many bowhunters in Alberta now,yes?
Too many for him to buy a General Mule tag no doubt.

This president needs to be impeached.

If he wants to distance himself & bowhunters from the fringe group represented by spear and atlatl hunters a simple name or slogan change would suffice.

Alberta Bowhunters Association (not spears or atlatls)
Alberta we don't spear Association
etc

Its this type of 'advocate' who willingly wants to throw everyone else under the bus that helps the anti's.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_...