This weekend there will be a fun learning experience at Springbrook State Park.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources Interpretive Naturalist and Educator Anne Riordan says that she is hosting an exercise that teaches how to use an atlatl. She tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the tool dates back to the era of cavemen, and that it was used to help hunt in place of spears before bows were a tool that was used.

“Atlatl is just really a fun outdoor skill because it’s new to almost everybody who comes to a program. So it’s trying a new skill. It’s learning a little bit about the history of it because it’s like a 12,000 year old outdoor skill, and like I said before, it predates archery. And honestly people are beginning to use the atlatl in hunting.”

Riordan mentions that the atlatl isn’t being used for hunting in Iowa at this time, but that she’s heard that there are individuals in Missouri using the tool. She adds that it is something a little different that can add a little bit more of a challenge to hunting. Riordan explains that after the lesson, everyone can roast marshmallows by the gazebo.