Hunting, Fishing and Foraging

This page lists ways of getting food from the wild.

Hunting

Passive hunting: Traps

Trapping is a way of passively hunt for meat, by setting up traps to catch prey. It is easier and less risky, but can take more time depending on the setup.

Tools Needed: Natural materials (vines, sticks, stones), cordage (plant fibers, sinew), bait.

Small Game (Rabbits, Squirrels, Birds)

• Snares:
  • Use bent saplings or vines to create a noose loop. Place near animal trails or burrows.
  • Example: A "figure-4 deadfall" (triggered by the animal’s movement).
• Pit Traps:
  • Dig a shallow pit, cover with leaves/branches, and bait with nuts/fruit.
• Bird Snares:
  • Set nooses near watering holes or perches.

Medium Game (Foxes, Raccoons, Wild Pigs)

• Deadfalls:
  • Heavy rocks/logs rigged to crush prey when triggered (e.g., Paiute deadfall).
• Cage Traps:
  • Woven branches or stone corrals with funnel entrances.

Large Game (Deer, Boar)

• Corral Traps:
  • Drive animals into fenced enclosures (used by indigenous tribes).
• Pit Traps (Deep):
  • Dig a 6+ ft pit, camouflage the top, and lure prey with food.

Active hunting: Spears and bows

Active hunting is more energy-consuming and more dangerous, but can be more rewarding.

Tools Needed: Spears, bows, throwing sticks, slings.

Small Game

• Throwing Sticks (Rabbit Sticks):
  • Curved sticks thrown to stun prey.
• Blowguns:
  • Hollow reeds with darts (poisoned tips optional).
• Sling:
  • Stones hurled at birds or small mammals.

Medium Game (Deer, Wild Sheep)

• Bows and Arrows:
  • Self-bows (yew, osage orange) with flint/obsidian arrowheads.
• Spears:
  • Thrusting or throwing spears (atlatl for added range).

Large Game (Bison, Elk, Bear)

• Spear Hunting:
  • Ambush near watering holes or migration paths.
• Pit Drives:
  • Herd animals into pits or cliffs (e.g., buffalo jumps).
• Communal Hunts:
  • Coordinated drives with fire/noise to exhaust prey.

Fishing

Ways to catch fish are

Ways to fish can be: line fishing, pole fishing, net fishing, spear fishing, bow fishing, fish trapping.

All line thickness, hook size, net size and bait depend on type and size of the fish being caught.

Line fishing

Line fishing revolves around personal feel for the line and strength to pull fish to shore. A line would be tied onto a hook and bait would serve as the sinker.

Pole fishing

A fishing pole depends on mechanical strength to make the fishing more efficient and being able to throw the bait further.

Net fishing

Nets able to catch great amounts of fish. Can be hand weaved and are effective.

Production

Through the use of weavers knot, a net can be made for most types of fish. The space in between the knots should depend on the size of the fish

Spear fishing

The spearing of a fish relies on shallow waters, patience and quick reflexes to catch fish, preferable use in river and lakes.

Bow fishing

Use of a bow to fish. A string attached to a arrow which is then pulled by hand or carabiner to retrieve the fish

Fish trapping

Traps have the ability to be left on the sea or river floor for longer periods of time and are cheap to produce. The "cage" has a door that may open only inwards, leaving any fish or crab trapped until collected

Production

A wooden or metal frame of a square or rectangle made which with a trapdoor on one of the sides and are then covered with mesh or net tied to or welded onto the trap creating a cage