The atlatl is not just a fun word to say, it's a tool that predates the bow and arrow.
Pronounced aht-laht-l, the atlatl is an ancient tool to throw spear-like darts believed to have been around for thousands of years, per the National Park Service. Evidence showed atlatls were used to hunt mastodons and other large mammals.
"It’s unclear in which part of the world the atlatl was first developed, but they were used by ancient hunters around the globe, including here in North America," according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
An intro to atlatl class was held in September at Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson for people to learn more about using an atlatl.