As hunters, fishers and gatherers, the Beothuk people moved with the seasons to take the most productive migratory animal species on the island namely seal, salmon and caribou. In April/May, Beothuk hunters pursue harp seals along their migration route along the coast. In July, families gather at river mouths to hunt for salmons. For the remainder of the summer, they disperse into smaller groups to fish, gather seafood, hunt sea birds and collect bird eggs. In the fall, families come together for the caribou drive on river and lakes which they stay near their stored meat for the winter. They also supplement their supply of food with lake fish, berries, and other plants.
Most caribou fences run parallel to the river to funnel the animals near waters where hunters in canoe await them. in 1800, fences ran both sides of the river from Badger to Red Indian Lake and were estimated to be around 50km long.
The commonly used tool to hunt caribous by the Beothuk people was a spear- called an amina by the Beothuk. It has a 3m wooden shaft tipped with a triangular stone or bones tip.
Other furbearers were shot by arrows or caught in snares. While many North American Natives group uses dogs to assist them during hunts, the Beothuk people doesn't appear to have used any.
For hunting seals, they used a harpoon called an a-aduth. It uses a 3.7 m wooden shaft with a detachable wooden head tied to a long line. When the head is embedded into the seal, they pull the shaft in and the seal was hauled in by the line.
Fish particularly salmon were probably speared although they may have use nets made of reeds, or fishing hooks. According to Shanawdithit: the last known Beothuk, her people consider it the greatest of luck to kill a whale.
Most caribou fences run parallel to the river to funnel the animals near waters where hunters in canoe await them. in 1800, fences ran both sides of the river from Badger to Red Indian Lake and were estimated to be around 50km long.
The commonly used tool to hunt caribous by the Beothuk people was a spear- called an amina by the Beothuk. It has a 3m wooden shaft tipped with a triangular stone or bones tip.
Other furbearers were shot by arrows or caught in snares. While many North American Natives group uses dogs to assist them during hunts, the Beothuk people doesn't appear to have used any.
For hunting seals, they used a harpoon called an a-aduth. It uses a 3.7 m wooden shaft with a detachable wooden head tied to a long line. When the head is embedded into the seal, they pull the shaft in and the seal was hauled in by the line.
Fish particularly salmon were probably speared although they may have use nets made of reeds, or fishing hooks. According to Shanawdithit: the last known Beothuk, her people consider it the greatest of luck to kill a whale.
Hunting Caribou