-------------------------------- Before bow hunting, our ancestors hunted with spears according to the anthropologists. In order to approach the antelope, the hunters would exhaust the animals by outrunning them in a hot environment. The animals tend to overheat more quickly than humans due to their fur, which limits their ability to sweat across their entire bodies, and as quadrupeds, they are more exposed to heat radiation from the sun and the ground.
Being a hunter and an ultra-runner, I was intrigued to determine whether persistent hunting was a forgotten skill or a misconception.
During my investigation into the practice of persistent hunting, I came across two scholars from Charles University in Prague who had published articles on the subject in scientific journals. They came with some interesting scientific suggestions and were particularly interested in monitoring and measuring all aspects of persistent hunts.
The next step involved finding an outfitter who shared an interest in anthropology and the ancient hunting techniques of the San people and who could arrange expeditions. The focus was on Namibia or South Africa. Out of around 20 outfitters contacted, only Philip Hennings of @KHOMAS HIGHLAND HUNTING SAFARIS expressed interest in the project.
We assumed that we would follow the antelope 4 to 6 hours a day or around 40 km. Considering my personal fitness level, I could only undertake three consecutive days of hunting, in the desert environment. After these around 120 km, I would get to slow. The additional challenge of Namibia was that large parts are more then 1000m (3000 ft) above sea level, which makes running more exhausting.
The first expedition took place in the Kalahari Desert in 2021. We gained valuable knowledge during this initial persistent hunt and were almost successful. We managed to get within one meter (3 feet) of an Eland, and then lost him in the thick bushes.
The second expedition, in the Namib Desert, featured much hotter and more open terrain, minimizing time spent on tracking. We succeeded during this second attempt and successfully speared an oryx. The hunt was done with the valuable assistance of two trackers who were also running.
To confirm that persistent hunting is an art and not just a stroke of luck, we recently completed our third expedition. Over the course of three days, we achieved two successful persistent hunts. The scholars joined us this time, meticulously measuring every detail for scientific purposes. Notable facts for their upcoming publication include an air temperature of 40°C and ground temperatures reaching 60°C (resulting in melted running shoes and blisters). My maximum body temperature was 39.1°C, while the oryx's got overheated and stopped running with a core temperature of a scorching 44°C. Under these conditions, the oryx succumbed within two hours while running an average of 8.5 km/h.
For anyone fit and eager to attempt this unique hunting experience, contacting Philip Hennings. He successfully organized a comfortable camp in the remote and barren Namib Desert and knows experienced trackers who can accompany you during the persistent hunt.
It is a unique hunting experience. When you get tired after running for a long time, and you see that you are closing in on the Oryx, in his natural dessert environment, it gives the energy boost needed to push for success. Then you reach the stage when you can encircle the Oryx, like predators do. When the Oryx gets properly overheat, he will stop running, stand and later sink through his legs. When the oryx is encircled, he is in an absolute fighting mood, and you have to be very aware of his long horns and assaults. When he gets tired and further over heated, it is possible to come close enough and finish the hunt.
It is an absolute unique hunt and the most intense way to experience the power of nature and art of hunting. It is hunting in its very very core.
Interesting to think about the politics of this… On the one hand, one of the biggest complaints that Non-hunters have with “sport” hunting is that modern weaponry makes it “unfair” because even a selfbow provides too great an advantage for some folks’ sensibilities. On the other hand, I can’t come up with a much less humane way to kill an herbivore…
JMO, it’s Good Science to have tested a hypothesis and documented that this form of hunting could have been a massive step forward in the history of human predation.
That said…. I can’t get behind anyone else doing it. They’ve proven that it is humanly possible, so anyone else who tries it is in it only to prove something about themselves, and that’s not ethically justifiable. Animals shouldn’t be made to suffer for human vanity. There’s nothing in this experiment that you can’t prove about yourself by going for a hard run on a hot day and clocking yourself.
And not for nothin’, but just as drawing blood = punched tag, I’m gonna go out on a limb and say that once you start running an animal in that kind of heat, it’s gonna die… and you’re going to pay somebody to shoot it with a rifle.
Persistence hunting is also described in the book "Born to Run".
I see it as more humane than every predator they face on a daily basis. At least they aren't being eaten while still alive like 4 legged predators often do.
I’m sure that Plains tribes must never have bothered, because it would be so much easier to let the Cheetahs catch them and then go steal it from them. And if you’re going to do that much running, why not chase a Buffalo? Preferably off of a cliff…. LOL
Cape Buff, I think I might take a hard pass….
I’ve had a few self inflicted tracking rodeos that could be considered “persistence” hunting, but they for sure weren’t on purpose and the sense of accomplishment was tarnished by what certainly couldn’t be considered a “humane” way to go…..
I’ll still watch the vid when finished. Expect massive blowback from many places…
If you don't know about the Benoits, Hal Blood, etc, take the time to read about them. Pretty cool.
Some stories worth reading:
Larry Benoit: https://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/content/articles/deer-news/larry-benoit-an-american-deer-hunting-legend
Hal Blood: https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/hunting/hal-blood-snow-tracking-bucks-in-north-woods/
https://www.outdoorlife.com/most-legendary-hunters-ever/
13 Best WT Hunters (watch out #13 will trigger some here) https://www.fieldandstream.com/hunting/best-whitetail-deer-hunters/
Adirondack Trackers: https://www.fieldandstream.com/photos/gallery/hunting/deer-hunting/2011/01/three-trackers-three-late-season-bucks/
Corax got this right. Stupid vanity stunt.
Very interesting. I once read about a way to kill a whitetail by pushing it after it ate, at some point it would be forced to stop to digest food or it would die.
I've tried following elk tracks in fresh snow, but am not good enough to keep them sorted out and stay on the same track. I've also always wanted to try following a set of fresh mountain lion tracks, but have to find some in the first place.
In the populous areas of the East, though, you’d have to come across a SMOKING hot track to have a prayer of catching up without crossing a property line. An absolutely ENORMOUS parcel of private here is all of a half-section….
Elk, though… Years ago, a radio tracking study determined that a hard push of a herd of Elk could send them running for 3-4 miles, as I recall…. That was a Rifle season study, naturally…
But FWIW, there’s a huge difference between stealthily dogging a track until you can get a clean shot and deliberately running an animal to exhaustion. I might even go so far as to wonder whether it would fall under wanton waste to employ a hunting method which is pretty well guaranteed to result in meat of a quality which not many would be willing to eat…. So there’s that.
I guess you can’t argue that physically running a free-ranging animal down on your own two feet is about as “fair” as it gets, and it certainly fits the description of a “chase”, but this is one of those subsistence hunting techniques which really (IMO) falls far outside the bounds of “sportsmanlike” and probably fits very neatly into Wildlife Harassment, especially since it probably falls outside of “reasonable” to expect to kill the animal AT ALL, so it’s basically pointless abuse. And if running them to exhaustion isn’t THE least humane death possible, it’s damn close. It would be over more quickly with a pack of feral dogs eviscerating the animal on the run…
At the same time, F&W did make hunting big game with spears and atlatls illegal.
In doing so, they made it illegal to finish of big game with a knife to the throat.
The finishing with a knife thing doesn’t worry me much. And yes, I have done it, but I’m smarter now.
I’ve done it before so I can say that I am. And, these dudes were too. We are an elite bunch. Just ask the Paul’s brothers. :^)
Seriously, How can this not be admired for the sheer determination this would take.
