When you think of hunting, what comes to mind?
Is it a man and his rifle in the woods for days on end?
Or is it a group of friends hanging out together with revolvers and beer?
These two images may be cliché, but they are accurate. Hunting is an activity that you can do solo or as part of a group. It's also not just about guns anymore. Many different hunting tools are available today; one of them is throwing knives!
Humans have been using throwing knives for thousands of years. Hunters initially used them for combat purposes. But now, they are a widely popular alternative to firearms due to noise complaints or local gun control laws.
Let us guide you through how to use throwing knives for hunting animals, particularly wild boars and hogs.
Using throwing knives for hunting isn’t a modern concept but a practice as old as time. The fact that it has been a ubiquitous hunting tool since the Stone Age must have fascinated you, leading you to try it today.
Before anything else, you need to consider some things to ensure your success and safety while hunting.
Throwing knives cannot take on all types of games, especially the bigger ones like deer. Nevertheless, you can effectively use throwing knives for wild boars. Just keep in mind that some boars can grow up to a thousand pounds. They can also attack you and your hounds with their tusks.
Make sure to be wise about taking on preys; assess first if you can handle them in one or two blows when they charge back at you.
The following are some ways you can get into trouble with the law when hunting:
Ensure to take a look at the laws of the territories you are hunting on for law-compliant hunting.
The thrill of the hunt includes successfully capturing the game and traversing new terrains for adventure. But while the new environment can be exciting, make sure to familiarize yourself with every nook and cranny.
Knowing the landscape well can assist you both in hunting your game and ensuring your safety. When you have stabbed your game and it runs, you’ll know the trail as you run after it. On the other hand, if the game charges at you, you’ll know where to run to keep yourself unharmed.
Hogs have an impeccable sense of smell, and you can count on this to lure them to the place where you want them to be. Some of the most appealing scents to hogs are the following:
The most efficient way to attract boars and hogs is by providing them with scarce food during that season. They are more likely to follow the scent using this trick. Then, you can begin the hunt when they appear.
Be aware of hunting ethics, such as hunting only what you can consume to ensure sustainability. Respecting the wild, which is a habitat for many animals, is another way to hunt ethically.
When hunting wild boars and hogs, make sure to deal a lethal blow to avoid any torture. Sometimes, a single blow will not work, so make sure to run after your game and give it a sure blow the second time.
Knife throwing is already difficult as it is, so practicing how to throw a knife and developing the skill before hunting is a must. You also need to make sure that you have only the best knives when you hunt.
With that, here are the things you should look for to get an efficient hunting tool.
To test the balance of a knife for throwing, place the middle of the knife over your index finger. If the knife balances without you holding it, you have a well-balanced knife.
Balanced knives are better for hunting as they spin smoothly when you throw them for hunting. It is best to use a balanced knife and get used to it from practice to real-life hunting.
To achieve this balance and throwing comfort, your knife should have the ideal 200-gram (7-ounce) weight. This weight makes for perfect throwing knives for beginners, not too light or too heavy.
Knives under 200 grams are challenging to control because a strong wind and other environmental factors may alter their trajectory. Meanwhile, heavier blades are difficult to throw. However, you can slowly move to heavier knives for more accuracy and when hunting long distances as your skill level improves.
Your fingers are at high risk of getting cut when throwing blades. Whereas you usually look for razor-sharp kitchen knives, pig sticker knives are not required to have this characteristic.
The best hunting blades are a bit dull but with sharp and broad tips. You would also want to have blades made of stainless steel as they are easier to balance. Bring a couple of spare knives during the actual hunt.
Another unconventional thing about looking for boar hunting knives is that you have to choose an uncomplicated handle.
In some knife types, you must consider several handle characteristics; for throwing knives, your handle should just be made of stainless steel. This material contributes to the knife’s aesthetics and ease of handling and throwing. An all-steel knife is more balanced; hence, they are easier to throw.
When you set out to hunt with throwing knives, you must consider the size of your prey and the laws in your state. It's also worth considering the kind of terrain you're hunting in. With the right bait, you will lure a wild boar or hog toward an easily accessible location where you can dispatch it with a knife.
The best throwing knives have perfect weight distribution, good balance, and blades that are dull enough not to hurt when thrown but sharp enough for skinning purposes. They should also feature uncomplicated handles so that no fingers get cut off while using them.
We hope this post has been helpful and informative; may your next hunt be safe and successful!
