How to Make an Antler Harpoon

The bone, or antler harpoon is an ingenious innovation adopted by early hunters to aid in the hunting of aquatic game. This harpoon consisted of a fixed shaft body made of wood and a pointed spear-like head with one or more tapered points along it to allow the point to stick when it was thrust into an animal and then release from the shaft trailing a length of cord or string made from animal sinew. It acted as an early fishing spear. Its creation was long and hard with early tools yet many hunters today still use this time-tested hunting implement.

Things You'll Need

  • Tree branch (3 inches thick by 4 feet)
  • Deer antler
  • Swiss army knife (with saw)
  • High-strength cord or twine
  • Drill
  • 11/64 drill bit
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut the wood for the shaft body to a length of 3 or 4 feet. The length depends on the height of the hunter. Remove rough or sharp projections from the surface of the wood, then sand the entire shaft until it is smooth. The thickness should be 2 inches in diameter.

    • 2

      Drill a hole in the center of the shaft with the 11/64 drill bit. Make sure you are drilling on a flat surface and there is space beneath the wood. The drill bit needs to come out the other side without obstruction to make a clean hole.

    • 3

      Saw a 3-inch deep notch into the end of the shaft. The width of the notch should be a 1/2 centimeter. This is the wedge in which the harpoon head will be set.

    • 4

      Saw a 5-inch piece of antler from the longest point. Remove smaller points along the selected piece. Dip the antler piece into water often to keep the surface moist and easier to work with.

    • 5

      Saw the rough shape of one or more ridges, the first starting 1 inch from the point. Use the file to work along the lines you've created, dipping often in water, until the sections come free and you are left with the ridges of the harpoon hook points.

    • 6

      Alternate sanding and filing the point of the harpoon and the harpoon hooks until they are sharp. Drill a hole at the base of the harpoon head. Insert the cord through the hole and tie a lasso knot to secure it to the harpoon head.

    • 7

      Fit the completed harpoon head into the notch cut into the shaft. If the opening is too wide, use the cord to wrap around the wood surrounding the notch and pull tight. You want the head to be secure in the shaft body but it must be able to release without too much effort. The harpoon head should set 3/4-inch into the shaft.