Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Cultural Services

Blowguns or "uski hlumpa" were used by young men during the summer months to provide meat for the family. Small game such as squirrels, rabbits, and birds were hunted with extreme patience and precision. The blowgun,which ranged from 6ft to 9ft, is made of Rivercane which is hollowed out. It had a range of 20yds, but was usually shot as close to the prey as possible.

Blowgun Darts or "shomo holutti" were made out of sparpened peices of hardwood or yellow pine. Once fletched with thistle these projectiles can be very accurate and deadly. No written accounts of poison have been recorded, but some oral traditions say blowguns may have been tipped with poison in the past.