Why Do Humans Hunt Cooperatively?

Current Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 65(5) • The University of Chicago Press • • Published In • Pages: 876-921 •
By Morin, Eugène, Bird, Douglas, Winterhalder, Bruce, Bliege Bird, Rebecca

Abstract

Communal drive hunts have been a common form of game procurement worldwide; their function and origins, however, are largely unknown. Using a human behavioral ecology perspective, this study reevaluates communal drive hunts (CDH) as a long neglected form of subsistence. Previous studies of CDHs have generally been costs and benefits analysis linked to small prey. There is a potential for data, however, there are noticeable trends outlining the larger picture of CDHs. Readers should note that this article also includes comments and responses from outside researchers and members of this study.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
Researcher's ownResearcher's OwnResearchers created a new ethnographic and ethnohistoric database of communal drive hunts

Hypotheses (5)

HypothesisSupported
Communal drive hunts will achieve higher returns of larger-bodied prey or reduce failure associated with their acquisition than encounter hunting (879)Support
The power law, log-log relationship between energy return and prey body size will be apparent for all communal drive hunts on all continents (892)Support
Communal drive hunts reduce the handling costs associated with pursuit of prey (894)Supported
Communal drive hunts will be associated with ungulates that cluster and have long flight initiation distances and high predator escape velocities (895)Supported
Communal hunting reduces the likelihood of zero-return hunts (901)Support Claimed
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: hattie.berke