I was at the ABA AGM.
I heard the discussion there.
The motion was to the effect of getting a definition. of legal hunting equipment for alberta
Alberta Atlatl is getting to present information to AGMAG to assist with the motion.
The problem is weapon by its very definition implies harm to a person. That is why we need to defin hunting equipment, or harvesting tool and get the list to be very definite.
As for determining if there is enough momentum in a thrown dart/atlatl; spear consider this..... Jai alai is a game that uses an atlatl like device to throw a rubber ball at speeds aproaching 180 mile an hour (almost 300 fps) this ball weighs over 2000 grains. imagine a 2000 grain arrow moviing at almost 300 fps....
Using a little more understandable stats.... a person can throw a baseball at 80 miles per hour which is about 140 fps. A baseball is over 2000 grains and a pro pitcher can exceed 100 mph which is over 150 fps..... This exceeds what a legal longbow can do (40 lbs at 28 ").....
The key is not the weapon but the user.... a longbow shooter has to be very careful on his ability to ensure thay are not outside their pok 95% range.... same with an atlatl where you have to be even closer....
In reality if a person goes out with an atlatl and can successfully harvest game he needs a hand shake and pat on th eback from his hunting compadres not the "shame shame" finger stroke....
We need to be careful and this debate has identified the need to set limits and define what a legal harvesting tool is. We need to be very careful as if we start opening a can of worms regarding lethality of certain weapons we have more to lose than to gain....
The same arguments heard against atlatls.... were said about archery at one time as well....
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