The History of Hunting

Hunting is more than a sport; for many it is a way of life. Though many people hunt purely for the trophy, man has used hunting as a source of food, clothing and shelter for thousands of years. A brief history of hunting shows how the art of hunting and the tools used have changed over the ages.

The first hunters

The first hunters were nomads who followed the herds in order to provide food and shelter for their families. It is believed that the first hunters threw rocks at their prey, or herded them off of cliffs to kill them more than two million years ago.

Bow and arrow

Bows and arrows date back about 18,000 years. Western European hunters used them both for self defense and to hunt animals long range. The bow and arrow made it both faster and easier to hunt game.

Spears

The oldest spearhead was found in Asia and dates back about 16,000 years. It is believed that the same hunters who used spears began hunting with dogs. Dogs would run, herd and find the animals, making them easier to track and kill. It was probably this development, more than any other, that lead to the development of sport hunting, rather than hunting purely for survival.

Guns

Guns were first introduced in Europe in the 14th century. They were used for both warfare and hunting. Since the invention of the rifle, the guns used for hunting have become increasingly accurate at long distances, making it easier for man to hunt.

Hunting has changed a lot over the ages, not only because of the changes in kill technology, but also because of the change in the hunters need. Most families now hunt for sport, not for survival, but the spirit of the hunt remains the same.