A hunting spear is a type of firearm that is used to kill game such as deer, rabbits, and birds. The word “spear” comes from the Latin word spes, which means pointy thing. This was later changed to become more closely associated with the English word spear, making the name even closer to its meaning. These spears have either a fixed or adjustable blade between 10 and 28 inches long that is tapered to a point. The length of the blade determines how far it can penetrate through clothing and into the skin. The farther the blade is able to penetrate, the better the odds it will hit your target. However, the longer the blade, the greater the chance it will cause injury.
The best hunting spears have a short handle so you can maintain contact with the trail while delivering a killing blow. They also have a large, flat base for increased stability while you are tracking down your prey. When you reach the end of your hunting journey, there’s no need to bring along a cumbersome gun when you can use a simple bow and arrow instead.
What To Consider When Choosing The Best Hunting Spear
When shopping for a new hunting spear, there are several factors to consider. The following section looks at these in detail.
Intended Use
Hunting spears can be used for many different purposes, depending on length and weight. Longer poles have greater reach, making them ideal for checking out thick cover or getting birds that sit deep within their roosts. They’re also handy when tracking games because they make noise as you go.
Short-handled hunting spears work well for close range shots where stealth is preferred. These weapons tend to have thinner walls than long-handled models, which makes them more flexible. However, they don’t carry quite as much momentum as longer ones, so they may not drive a solid hit home.
Material
Hunting spears are typically made of one of three materials: wood, fiberglass, or steel.
- Wood is an excellent material for a hunting pole; it’s strong, lightweight, and naturally resistant to decay. The problem is that wood is difficult to cleanly cut without dulling your edge. Also, wooden handles tend to swell with moisture, which can cause splitting if left untreated.
- Fiberglass is another popular option; it’s lighter than steel but heavier than plastic. This means it doesn’t bend as easily as metal, though it does break easier. It won’t rust like iron will, and it’s easy to resharpen once damaged.
- Steel is the most durable choice, although these poles do cost more. Steel handles tend to stay smooth during use, allowing you to get a sharper edge. Keep in mind that this material is prone to corrosion from water exposure, so don’t leave it outside.
Length
A hunting spear should ideally feel comfortable to swing. If it feels too short, there’s a risk of hitting the ground before the tip of the spear has finished its arc. Too long a spear risks losing control and causing a collision.
For most hunters, a spear between 48 and 52 inches long offers enough reach to check out potential targets while keeping the weapon balanced and moving naturally. There are exceptions, however, such as big game hunters who need a spear that reaches 70 inches or so. For these guys, a wooden spear might suit them better since it’s less likely to snap under stress.
Weight
The weight of a hunting spear depends on two main factors: the thickness of the shaft and the density of the material. Thicker the shaft, the heavier the spear. A thicker shaft means a larger surface area, which increases friction and resistance. This makes the spear harder to wield, especially over rough terrain. Lightweight blades, on the other hand, tend to be easier to manage. In general, a spear weighing around 2 pounds is considered light, 3 pounds medium, and 4 pounds heavy. Of course, the actual weights vary according to brand and model.
Head Shape
There are two basic shapes for spear heads: round and flat. Round heads are generally considered superior because they allow for more efficient blood flow, making them great for longer fights. Flat heads, on the other hand, tend to offer a tougher grip, making them suitable for shorter bursts of activity. However, both types perform similarly when it comes to driving a blade into flesh and bone. The shape chosen largely depends on personal preference and available space.
Blade Features
Spear blades come in a variety of features including straight, curved, serrated, and hollow.
- Straight blades are the classic spear head shape. They provide maximum strength and durability, making them ideal for combat situations. Straight blades tend to have a narrower profile than curved blades, which gives them a stronger grip on the handle.
- Curved blades add flexibility to the spear. They help reduce muscle fatigue caused by swinging a rigid object. Curved blades take up more room inside the pouch, but they’re easier to pack along on camping trips.
- Serrated blades have a jagged rather than a smooth curve. They’re designed to tear through meat and tissue instead of sliding smoothly.
- Hollow blades let air pass through the spear, reducing the amount of effort required to breathe while fighting.
Handle Design
The best spear handles should fit the user’s height and size, providing a good balance and leverage effect while preventing unnecessary strain. Ideally, the handle will also include some kind of comfort feature, such as padded grips or rubberized areas that prevent blisters forming. Some spear handles incorporate a special coating designed to increase friction and wear resistance, helping to improve grip retention and performance.
Types Of Hunting Spears
Hunting spear is a generic term for any sharp-tipped weapon designed to be thrown at game. Depending on the type, they are divided into several categories including traditional, composite and ballistic.
Traditional
These types of spears generally have lighter bodies with larger heads in order to provide more piercing power and better balance when throwing. They’re also typically longer and heavier due to their need to travel greater distances and strike hard objects like antlers or horns. The shafts tend to be straight but slightly curved towards the tip in order to give you some control over your throw.
Composite
The composite spear has two parts – a head portion and a handle that screws onto the top of the head portion. This allows hunters to switch out either the head or handle depending on which performs best under particular circumstances.
Ballistic
A ballistic spear features a built-in accelerometer that can record data such as speed, acceleration, and launch angles.
Bow Spears
Bow spears are similar to javelins in construction except bow spears use a bow instead of a hand grip to aid in launching. Bow spears may be single- or double-bitted; the latter having a wider gap between the blades to prevent chipping or breaking of bones upon impact.
Javelin
Javelin spears are long and heavy because of their design requirements. They must be able to reach speeds of 50 feet per second or higher in order to penetrate deep enough into the animal’s body to ensure a lethal wound. In addition, they cannot weigh more than 45 pounds in total (20 pounds for the steel spear). These factors result in javelins being constructed from high-quality materials and using advanced aerodynamics to minimize wind resistance.
Spear Gun
This gun fires projectiles much like an old-school shotgun would shoot bullets. However, these spears are usually made of steel and are far less damaging than lead bullets. Most firearms spearguns use blanks rather than live rounds so as not to endanger anyone who might find themselves nearby when it goes off.
Tactical
Tactical spears are used by law enforcement officers, military personnel, security guards, campers, hikers, etc., where there is frequent need to throw across open spaces or great distances. Tactical spears are light because there isn’t much room for excess weight. Throwing requires precision and accuracy, so even slight variances in form will affect performance.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
Hunting “spear” is a term used to describe any hunting-specific weapon that uses a long shaft with a curved blade. The purpose of this somewhat broad classification is to include the range of products available from reputable companies, such as Bushnell and Leatherwood.
We narrowed our search based on feedback we received from customers who purchased these items through retail channels – not online drop-shippers or third-party vendors. In addition to looking for great value, we also considered only those brands that have been around for more than 100 years. These two criteria limit our choices considerably, but they are important when making an investment like this.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hunting Spears
How do you use a spear for hunting?
The most important thing when using a spear as a weapon is to maintain control of it. This means keeping the tip from moving towards your target while allowing the shaft to bend.
What are some disadvantages of using a spear as a hunting tool?
One disadvantage of using a spear as a hunting tool is that you can’t carry it in front of you like you could with an arrow or gun, meaning you have to change position to face your intended target and then squeeze the trigger back to the top of your shoulder blade, which isn’t very accurate.
Are there any safety concerns regarding using a spear as a hunting tool?
Using a spear as a hunting tool comes with certain inherent risks. One such risk is injury to yourself or others if you don’t practice proper care and storage of your weapon. Make sure you get all the necessary training and read the owner’s manual carefully before using it in a self-defense situation.