Blowgun A " blowgun " ( also called a blowpipe or blow tube ) is a simple weapon consisting of a small tube for firing light projectile s or dart s . The weapon is used by inserting the projectile inside the pipe ( known as a blowgun ) and using the force created by one ' s breath to give the projectile momentum . Its propulsive power is limited by the user ' s respiratory muscles . Many cultures have used this weapon , but various indigenous peoples of South East Asia , the Amazon and Guiana regions of South America , and Guatemala in Central America are best known for its use . Projectiles include seeds , clay pellets , and darts . Some cultures dip the tip of the darts in curare or other poisons in order to paralyze the target . Blowguns were very rarely used by these tribes as anti - personnel weapon s , but primarily to hunt small game such as monkeys . North American Cherokees were known for making blowguns out of river cane to supplement their diet with rabbits and other small creatures . Blowguns are depicted in paintings on pre - Columbian pottery and are mentioned in many Mesoamerica n myths . Back then and today , the Maya use a blowgun to hunt birds and small animals with spherical dry seeds and clay pellets . The clay ammunition is made slightly larger than needed ( to allow for shrinkage and refinement ) and stored in a shoulderbag . The outside of the dry clay pellet is shaved off and burnished right before use . Today blowguns are used with tranquilizer darts to capture wildlife or to stun caged dangerous animals . Herpetologist s use blowguns to capture elusive lizard s with stun darts . Blowguns are also used recreationally , with either darts or paintballs . Sport blowgun . " See also Fukiya for standards pursued by the International Fukiyado Association ( IFA ) " . There are several competition styles practised around the world . A standardization of competition style , based upon fukiya , is being pursued by the International Fukiyado Association and hopes to become an Olympic event . It is a 10 - metre target shooting , using a standardized barrel caliber and length , and a standardized dart length and weight , as outlined by IFA . Two other styles are also being pursued to make up the Olympic blowgun event , both based upon the Cherokee Annual Gathering Blowgun Competition . The Field Style competition is similar to the winter Biathlon , where the shooter runs from a starting line to a target lane , shoots and retrieves the darts , and continues to the next station . The course length varies from 400 to 800 m or longer , with from 9 to 16 targets at various heights and shooting distances . The final style is the Long Distance target shoot . The target is a circle of 24 cm diameter , and the firing line is 20 metres away . Three darts are fired by each shooter , at least one of which must stick in the target . All successful shooters move to the next round , moving back two metres each time . Sport blowgun competition is managed by the International Fukiyado Association with which national associations in the United States , France , Germany and the Philippines are affiliated . Materials . Darts are typically made of hardwoods to prevent cracking , although bamboo skewers can be used informally . The dart ' s fletch can be made of many materials , such as down , feather tips , and animal fur . Modern materials , such as aluminium or carbon - reinforced plastic , are also used . Specifications . As a primitive weapon , there are no set dimension for a blowgun ' s length and diameter . However , generally there are several sizes : Legality . A law was passed in Guatemala in the 1930s outlawing the use of the blowgun in an effort to protect small game . It was difficult to enforce in rural areas , but was one of the reasons for the decline of blowgun use in Guatemala . In the United Kingdom , and in Australia , the blowgun is categorized as an offensive weapon under the UK 1988 Criminal Justice Act , and as such it is illegal to manufacture , sell or hire or offer for sale or hire , expose or have in one ' s possession for the purpose of sale or hire , or lend or give to any other person . Antique blowguns are , however , exempt . In Canada , the blowgun is classified as a prohibited weapon and is defined as any device that " being a tube or pipe designed for the purpose of shooting arrows or darts by the breath " . Any imported blowgun must be deactivated by either drilling a hole or by blocking it . On the other hand , like many prohibited weapons , it can be used in a legal shooting range , and can be transported through legal channels . In the US State of California , blowguns are illegal . They are also illegal in Massachusetts , the District of Columbia , but are legal elsewhere . There is currently no age requirement for using a blowgun .