Rabbit Drive Points...

[Mojave]

Most people refer to these as bird points but they were actually used for rabbits. From a Boy Scout lesson I saw on the internet on Washoe Indians:

"Rabbit hunting required the cooperation and participation of the entire Tribe. Everyone, including women, children, and elders participated in the rabbit drives. Rabbits were driven into nets where they were captured and killed with clubs or arrows. The nets were woven of plant fibers, with most families owning one at least one net. Some of the larger communal nets were three feet high and as long as a football field (300 feet).
One member of the Tribe was in charge of the rabbit drive. He was known as the Rabbit Boss. He helped organize and position people to insure a successful drive. The people would stretch their nets into a wide semicircle as they walked slowly towards another group holding longer nets. The rabbits would then be completely surrounded by the longer nets. Once caught in the nets, the rabbits were killed. Rabbits were so plentiful in the fall, that thousands of them could be captured in the drives.
The rabbits were divided up among the Tribe, cleaned and skinned. The fur skins were used for blankets. It might take 100 rabbits to make one blanket. The meat was roasted or boiled for a celebration feast. Any remaining meat was dried and/or pounded into meal for use during winter months."
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A long time ago I came across a rabbit drive site. Many of these and a couple dozen more were found one day in an area about the size of a typical backyard.

[rmartin]

I am really envious of the gem quality material your ancients used. Those are all little jewels. On the other note, I have always avoided the term "birdpoint".

[arrow719]

Pretty little buggers.....that's the type of stuff you'll find associated with the Shoshone Knives.

[henry english]

i would not be afraid to bet that this method of harvesting game is not confined in the west , neches bobcat took me to a site that several perdiz points were found by him , i found one that day , i believe it was a roost kill site , but it also could have been used for rabbits , great post and artifacts mojave ,

henry

[manoman]

Nice post and some great arrowheads!

[silver lake]

I don't think my heart would take finding so many at once. Great finds John!!!!!

[henry english]

small game should be the term used , jmho ,

henry

[DesertWalker]

Nice points, good story.

[highsierra]

Great post and very fine points. My retired NV State Archaeologist bud knows where plenty of these sites are, but he refuses to take "his favorite pothunter" to them. He has turned me on to many historical sites, yet balks when it comes to prehistoric artifacts. Too much liberal pap injected into his brain.

Rabbit drives continued into the late 19th C, not as food, but to rid the agricultural areas of destructive jackrabbits. I have a photo from the family ranch, taken in 1887, showing literally hundreds of dead jacks. Everyone is standing in the photo, holding their weapons of choice. '73 Winchesters and double shotguns dominated, but other guns and clubs were used.

[henry english]

hey mike , split his bag and run his leg thru it , he will be glad to talk ,

henry