Persistance Hunting

I've seen posts by others that shall remain nameless on how Animals are the ultimate when it comes to physicality. Sure, the Cheetah in full explosion of power setting off at speeds of 60 mph for short periods of time are unbelievable -Would like to see that feat of athleticism someday in person. Or watching a deer elude a nonchalant passerby as they gracefully jump over a fence to make their speedy graceful get away seemingly unable to be snatched without some sort of high powered ammo or a sure shot from an Archer. But After having read Born to Run about the Tarahumara Northern Mexico Indian tribe I wonder about Persistence hunting and mans apparent superior endurance.

The notion of persistence hunting is as old as man has been a hunter / gatherer. You see, the Tarahumara Indians are known for the sure footed huarache running style, much of what is the current push of the minimalist shoe craze going on with the shoe industry is driven on moving the runner onto the toes of the feet rather than heel striking. This is how the Tarahumara do it, and how the Kenyans learn to run barefoot as kids for that matter. Think Light on you feet. The supposed fact that Persistence hunting even works is because Humans are more able to regulate their body temperature through sweating and efficiency of their system. Think of it, how many mammals out there are readily pulling off long distance running such as a Marathon or ultra distance running for that matter? Probably not many, their food resources would not be readily available on the fly like that.

Running form is not what this post is about however, I was thinking about how much hunting would be different if we adopted a form of persistence hunting of deer here in the Midwest. Persistence hunting is done by running the prey to the point of exhaustion, then using a spear to take the animal. There are reports that Persistence hunting is still being done in the Central Kalahari where Kudu are chased up to 20 + miles in 100 degree heat. When the Kudu finely seeks shade, the Bushman sneak up and claim the quarry with a spear.

That certainly puts a new spin on hunting deer don't you think? Can you imagine instead of preparing for a deer hunt with a rifle and a deer stand, you would be preparing by long distance running, brushing up on you tracking skills and being stealthy. Wonder if it's possible? Think how healthy you'd need to be to hunt then...