The Pocket Guide to Hunting [antikvár]

first men were hunters from the beginning. In those days, the art of hunting amounted simply to a matter of prédation: people had to kill - and sometimes risk their own lives -to feed the clan. The weapons of the time consisted of clubs, stone axes, or spears hardened by fire; pathetic weapons for taking on cave bears, European bison, and saber-toothed tigers.To subsist, hunting peoples were compelled to live nomadic lives when prey became rare or difficult to catch. They began to search for new territories, following moving herds of reindeer, for example. Eventually, hunting was no longernecessary for the survival of these itinerant clans. They settled down, learning how to farm and raise animals. Hunting had not yet become a leisure activity. In a sense, it was a kind of self-affirmation, with the hunter proving his strength and courage in front of the others. When not at war, these clans tracked bear, wolf, and bison. These were some of the many coveted trophies with which the hunters could enhance their reputations. A great hunter was inevitably also a redoubtable warrior. Thus, he became a man worthy of the trust of others who could one day hold the title of clan chieftain. The real value of the day wasToday, hunting has altracted more and more followers, as much devoted to chamois as to stag, roebuck, sheep, or wild boar