Useless Knowledge for Hunters: Curious facts about hunting, game and hunting myths

By Mia Mirillia

Curious stories and facts from the world of hunting

Delve into the unexplored depths of hunting and discover stories and facts that sound so unbelievable that you can hardly believe them - that's what "Useless Knowledge for Hunters" offers. This book takes you on a journey through the world of hunting with a fascinating mix of humor, science and sheer amazement. You'll learn things you may never have heard before that are sure to enrich your knowledge and campfire stories.

Imagine being in Alaska and watching a hunter sitting in a tree being mobbed by a huge brown bear below. Or travel to the woods of Tennessee, where an abandoned backpack leads to a hidden 1920s moonshine still. And have you ever heard of a reindeer with three antlers? In Lapland, that's exactly what you'll find!

The stories in this book range from a hunter who witnessed a kangaroo holding his hunting dog in a headlock, to another who stumbled upon an abandoned Inca city in the depths of the Amazon rainforest. In the Serengeti, an impala was snatched by a crocodile at the last moment of his hunt and swallowed in a river. In Wyoming, a hunter impressively shot two bighorn sheep with a single shot. And in a remote forest in Romania, a hunter discovered a cave with prehistoric wall paintings of hunting scenes.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. "Useless Knowledge for Hunters" offers not only amazing stories, but also practical tips and advice. Find out which game meats have nutritional advantages over farmed meat, how best to nourish yourself during long hunting trips and which natural remedies and first aid techniques are most useful in the wild.

"Useless Knowledge for Hunters" is more than just a book; it is a gateway to a world of wonders and curiosities just waiting to be discovered. It's the perfect gift for the hunter in your life or for anyone who just wants to learn more about the amazing and often surprising world of hunting. A must for any hunting library!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marcus Jungnickel
• Release date: Nov 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222471938

Book preview

Table of contents

1. weapons & equipment through the ages

1.1 Prehistoric hunting tools

It is believed that one of the first tools used by modern humans for hunting were simple pebbles. These stones were probably not worked, but were chosen so that they fitted well in the hand and could be thrown at prey. They were a simple but effective means of killing smaller animals from a distance or driving away or injuring larger animals.

The atlatl, also known as a spear thrower, was a prehistoric device used to increase the speed and range of a thrown spear. With the atlatl, a hunter could significantly increase his range and penetrating power. This was particularly useful for hunting larger prey such as mammoths or bison without having to get too close to them.

Obsidian, a volcanic glass, was very popular with prehistoric hunters because of its sharp edges and easily split structure. It was often used as a tip for arrows and spears. Obsidian points could be so sharp that they were almost molecularly smooth on a microscopic level, making them a deadly weapon.

The oldest known traps are the so-called pit traps. They were created by digging deep holes and covering them with leaves or other material. Unsuspecting animals looking for food or water fell into these traps and were easily caught or killed by the hunters.

Some prehistoric peoples used the technique of 'fire driving', where fire was used to drive animals in a particular direction, usually into a trap or over a cliff. This was an effective method of killing several animals at once, but required careful planning and coordination.

Bones were another important material in prehistoric hunting. They were often made into needles, hooks and other useful tools. Sometimes they were even used as makeshift arrowheads, especially when other materials were in short supply.

The art of archery is estimated to have originated between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago. The first bows were often carved from a single piece of wood and used animal sinew or plant fibers as strings. These bows revolutionized hunting as they enabled hunters to shoot from a safe distance.

For hunting in snowy areas, prehistoric hunters used snowshoes to avoid sinking into the snow. Although they did not serve directly as a weapon, they enabled hunters to pursue prey that would otherwise have been out of their reach.

The use of poison on arrowheads and spearheads was an innovative technique used by many prehistoric cultures. Various plants, animals and minerals were used as sources of poison. This enabled more efficient hunting of larger prey, as even a small cut with a poison-soaked tool was often fatal.

Cave paintings and drawings found in various parts of the world often depict hunting scenes. This suggests that hunting was not only an activity essential for survival, but also an important cultural and ritual event. It is fascinating to see how these prehistoric artists recorded their hunting techniques and successes, perhaps as a teaching tool or to tell stories for future generations.

1.2 Medieval hunting methods

Par force hunting was a popular hunting method among the nobility in the Middle Ages, especially in England and France. An animal, usually a stag or fox, was chased by a large pack of hounds and a group of mounted hunters. Hunting was not only a means of obtaining food, but also a social event and a symbol of the status and wealth of the nobility. It was a veritable production with clear rules and rituals.

Goshawks were popular hunting birds in the Middle Ages. They were kept by nobles and kings as a status symbol. Training a goshawk to hunt required patience and skill. The hawk was used to hunt smaller prey such as birds or rabbits. Each social rank had its own bird: kings owned an eagle, knights a falcon.

The right of free hunting was a privilege of the nobility in the Middle Ages. This meant that only nobles were allowed to hunt in certain forests or areas. This often led to conflicts with farmers and the rural population, as they used the forests to gather food and wood, but were not allowed to hunt.

The use of traps and pits was a widespread hunting method in the Middle Ages, especially for those who did not enjoy the hunting rights of the nobility. Deep pits were dug and lined with leaves or other materials to catch animals. Simple wooden traps were also used to catch smaller animals such as hares or birds.

In some regions, dogs were specially trained to hunt wild boar. These dogs, often referred to as hog dogs, were trained to grab a wild boar by the ears and hold it until the hunter arrived to finish the catch. This was a dangerous task as wild boar were known to be aggressive and strong.

Nets were also used for hunting. Large nets were stretched between trees or other structures to catch flying birds. Nets spread out on the ground could also be used to catch running animals such as hares or chickens.

The horn was an indispensable tool for medieval hunters. It was used to give signals, to call the dogs or to tell the other hunters where the prey was. There were special signals and calls for the different phases of the hunt, knowledge of which was essential for a successful day's hunting.

A lesser-known hunting method from the Middle Ages was 'falconry', which involved using stones or slingshots to throw birds from the air. It required skill and precision and was less efficient than other methods, but was still practiced in some communities.

In some parts of Europe, catapults were also used during medieval hunting. These were not used against large game, but mainly against birds. A group of hunters would drive the birds to a specific location where the catapult would hurl a large