Check Out This Hunting and Fishing Spear! Here’s the DIY.
Two Pronged Spear
Items Needed
This is probably the second most basic type of spear out there, next to the single-tipped stick that anyone can make with a pocket knife. All you need is a good stick or branch for the shaft and tip, a twig for some support and cordage or tape to hold everything together. The first step is to choose a branch that is wide enough to be sturdy and comfortable. Use one that doesn’t have a lot of knots or stubs on it, is relatively-straight and easy to work with.
Next, clean the sides of the spear and remove fragments of bark. You can completely strip the stick if you prefer, but this isn’t necessary as long as you don’t accidentally gouge your hand on a protrusion.
Then, take your survival knife and whittle away two sides of the spear into a flat-tipped point. Then, hack your knife through the center of the point in order to create a wedge that’s at least three inches long. The tip should look like the end of a crowbar at this point.
You may want to consider tightly-wrapping some cordage at the point where the sides begin to taper off from the shaft. This will prevent the wood from accidentally splitting too much as you make the cut.
The next step is to insert a 2 to 3 inch long twig into the wedge and place it as far down as possible. This will provide a spacer that will keep the ends fanned out. Then, whittle down each end until they are pointy. Unwrap the top end of the paracord and make a couple of lashings over the twig to secure it in place. Slide the rest of the cordage so it rests against the bottom of the twig. Tighten again, tie off and melt the ends with a lighter to secure the knot.
Four Pronged Spear
Items Needed
This spear is made in a manner similar to the other one, but with a couple of variations.
Clean and prepare the stick as necessary and cut a vertical slit through one of the ends that is three inches deep. Make another cut perpendicular to the first so you have a cross shape and four pieces of wood fanning out from the stick.
Take your knife or a wedge and tap it into the gashes in order to make them a couple of inches longer. Use the paracord to prevent the wood from splitting too far.
Take your twig and place it in the bottom of one of the wedges. Take the other twig and place it in the other wedge and let it rest atop the first one. Remove the cordage and re-wrap starting over the top twig.
Make one or two loops above the twigs and loop the cordage around both twigs. Continue wrapping so the lashing rests just below the bottom twig and goes down for a couple of inches. Improvise as necessary to get a tight fit. Whittle away the tips until they are pointy and you’re good to go.
Both variations will make catching prey, especially fish or other aquatic animals much easier. However, they can be just as effective with land-based creatures once you get the hang of how to aim and strike at just the right time. In both cases, this simple method can be just as effective and deadly as a fancy or complex steel-tipped variant. Plus, you don’t need any specialized tools or equipment, and they can be fashioned in the field in a matter of minutes.
Just remember that the spear will only be as effective as your skill level allows. Take time to practice and get a feel for how to corner and strike at prey. This will help you to be ready to hunt for food during a survival situation with greater accuracy.
