Part V: Hunting & Traps

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Such a basic club can be thrown either overhand (when, for instance, you're trying to knock a squirrel from the side of a tree) or sidearm (when you're in an open area, where brush won't interfere with the stick's flight). In using the first meth od, point your left foot at the target (if you're a right-hander southpaws can simply reverse these directions). Then, holding the smaller end of the stick loosely in your right hand, bring the weapon back over your shoulder and hurl it, with good end-over-end spin, straight at the mark. At the moment of release, your shoulders should face the game squarely.

The sidearm throw is similar to the motion used in stroking a tennis ball with the racket. Point the left toe at the animal, bring the stick to a cocked position at your side, and throw it . . . squaring your shoulders and snapping the club—as if you were cracking a whip—to give it spin.

Always be sure to carry your throwing stick when away from camp for any reason. Not only is there a chance that a small bird or animal will suddenly appear within range, but there's also the possibility that you'll encounter other food sources (say, nuts or fruit) that can be knocked down with the club.

I don't have the space to go into any detail about stalking techniques here. In general, you should avoid any abrupt movements . . . walk slowly, feeling the ground (or, perhaps, a brittle twig?) beneath each foot before putting your weight upon it . . . and try to time your movements to coincide with the feeding patterns you observe in your quarry (most animals will alternate regular periods of feeding with pauses to survey their surroundings for danger). Remember, though, that this is a very rudimentary outline, and that—as always—the time to practice this particular survival skill is before you need it.

THE THREE TOP TRAPS

There are probably well over 100 traps that can be fashioned-using primarily foraged materials—in a wilderness setting. But although any student of outdoor survival would be well advised to acquaint him-or herself with as many designs as possible, I consider the rolling snare, the figure 4 deadfall, and the Paiute deadfall to be the most easily made and versatile of the lot.

A snare, as you may know, is little more than a noose—fashioned from wire, string, sinew, or handwoven cordage-positioned in such a way that it can "lassoo" an animal. The rolling snare, in particular, is placed directly along a well-traveled animal run or trail. When the beast unknowingly puts its head through the loop, the trigger is released, and a sapling-to which the noose is tied-whips upright, often breaking the animal's neck and thus killing it instantly. You must, of course, be selective when choosing a site for your snare . . . if it's set on a trall that's used by animals larger than those you're after, they might blunder into, and destroy, the device.

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