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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a Discover Nature skills workshop to teach techniques and strategies for success with atlatls at Runge Conservation Nature Center in Jefferson City. The workshop will take place 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 21.
An atlatl is an ancient hunting tool that uses a hand-held, arm-propelled launcher to project a six-foot spear at its target. The additional leverage provided by the atlatl allows the user to throw the dart much quicker than with arm-power alone – up to 100 miles per hour.
Likely once used to hunt mastodons and mammoths, the atlatl was replaced by the bow and arrow about 2,000 years ago. The Missouri Conservation Commission approved the atlatl for small game hunting in 2007, and for deer hunting in 2010. Today, hunters and target shooters embrace the primitive tool which has secured its spot in Missouri hunting culture.
“Whether hunting, fishing, or just target throwing, the atlatl can be a fun and challenging form of recreation,” said MDC Regional Outreach and Education Supervisor Brian Flowers.
This atlatl workshop is FREE and open to all ages, but children younger than 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Register to attend this exciting education experience with atlatls at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/158523.
Runge Conservation Nature Center is located at 330 Commerce Drive in Jefferson City.
For more information about events at Runge Conservation Nature Center, visit nature.mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places/runge-nature-center, or call the nature center at (573) 526-5544.
