How to Flawlessly Aim Blowguns | Gone Outdoors
NEWExplore America's campgrounds on our interactive map

How to Flawlessly Aim Blowguns

How to Flawlessly Aim Blowguns
Written By
Jillian Holden
Jillian Holden
Jun 13, 2011
2 minute read

Items you will need

  • Blowgun

  • Darts

  • Target

Blowguns, also known as blowpipes or blowtubes, were often used in regions of South America and Southeast Asia where they served as weapons and aided in hunting. Today in the United States, blowguns are used for recreation, loaded with paintballs or darts. They can also be loaded with tranquilizers and used by wildlife rangers to stun and capture animals.

    Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

    Find a secluded area to practice shooting in. Never shoot in an area where people and animals are moving within range. Mark a spot on the ground for you to shoot from and place the target 10 yards away. Your target can be anything, but it must designate a spot for you to aim at. As your shooting improves, move the target back and at different heights to strengthen your scope.

    Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

    Pick up your dart and turn it point-side-out. Place one hand on the center of the blowgun and hold it steady. Keep the gun horizontal and insert the dart into the mouth of the gun. Never inhale when loading the gun. The dart could easily be sucked in, causing damage to your esophageal tube and mouth.

    Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

    Choose your shooting style. For beginners, the most popular way is to place your hands one before the other around the pipe to hold the gun horizontally. If you find this uncomfortable, place one hand close to your mouth and the other hand three-fourths of the way down the pipe to steady and aim the gun.

    Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

    Put the blowgun up to your mouth and keep both eyes open; you should see two blowguns. Center the target between the two guns and take a deep breath; the deeper the breath, the more powerful the shot. Check alignment after taking a breath to ensure your gun is still focused on the target, and then powerfully blow into the tube. Test shooting in both styles to see which way you shoot best. Try to blow the same amount of air every time to find your average distance.

Jillian Holden

Currently working at the University of Houston, Jillian Holden has been writing since 1999. She is multi-published, with works featured at Associated Content, Examiner, and "North Texas Daily." Holden holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and…

Sponsored
Gone Outdoors Logo

Explore the outdoors with the best source for fishing, boating, camping, hunting, firearms, electronics, trailers and towing, maintenance and much more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.