Alligator gar, fish scale arrowheads?

Osagetree · May 30, 2010, 07:21:00 AM

Anyone hear of native americans using gar scales for arrowheads? Has anyone recreated such heads and has pics to post here? How durable and useful would such scales be if used on the end of a rivercane shaft?

Anyone want to send me some scales in trade for something such as wild turkey primary wing feathers or something?

Mudd · May 30, 2010, 07:32:00 AM

I don't have any scales I can send but I have read in several different sources that they were used by the native Americans to tip their arrows.

In one of the resources they even had a couple of pictures. I wish I could remember the name(s) of the books that they were in. Sorry!

God bless and good luck in your search.

Osagetree · May 30, 2010, 07:35:00 AM

Thanks Mudd! Let me know if the source ever comes to you again.

Mudd · May 30, 2010, 07:58:00 AM

Check this out:http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/reply/297097/t/Gar-scale-arrowheads.html#reply-297097

God bless,Mudd

Osagetree · May 30, 2010, 08:09:00 AM

Thanks Mudd,,, I got to find someone willing to trade me some scales!!!

Ironweed is a new one on me too!!!!

wv lungbuster · May 30, 2010, 10:45:00 AM

Wow fist time I've heard of using them for arrowheads.

Bill Skinner · May 30, 2010, 03:34:00 PM

I have made some arrows with spotted gar scales. I used a cane shaft. It didn't fly very well, not enough point weight. The next ones I build, I plan to use a hardwood foreshaft to bring up the point weight. Bill

Hawkeye · May 30, 2010, 04:36:00 PM

I have no idea how the scales would do as broadheads, but they are wonderful underwater knives. My last time out bowfishing, I lost two $15 arrows in a half hour after shooting clear through a couple nice gar. They cut my 80# braided line like it was a spider web! Actually ended up wishing I'd missed the shots!! Those are amazing fish!

Hope to have 200# line next time around.

BOWMARKS · May 30, 2010, 09:44:00 PM

KyleAllen · May 30, 2010, 11:20:00 PM

I'm not thinking they would work well on big game. Be nice for small game if you added weight to the front of the shaft though.

Osagetree · May 31, 2010, 10:34:00 AM

No thought at all of using them on big game!

Probably shoot a few and keep a few in the den for conversation.

Light shaft (Ironweed?) and hardwood foreshaft. Maybe a light bow to shoot at minnows in the swamp or creek.

May 31, 2010, 10:40:00 AM

im in the process of mounting a gar now, i know they are sharp(ouch), you would probobly want some big ones from reeaallly big gar. il post pics, when its done.

nightowl1 · May 31, 2010, 11:43:00 AM

I am going to have to try this now!

Pat B · May 31, 2010, 05:40:00 PM

Joe, contact Curtis Keller. He is the resident alligator gar hunter. Maybe he has a few scales for you.
I think Jim Hamm has a pic of an arrow with gar scale head. Might have seen it in the TBB series or in Hamm and Allaly's book on Native American Bows and Arrows