Hunting is traditionally carried out by the Wapichan people using bows and arrows and a variety of traps, although guns are also available in most villages. The use of guns is limited due to strict customary regulations on gun ownership and the high cost of cartridges. Most hunters also own hunting dogs that are used to retrieve game. Ancient trapping techniques are still used today, such as the method of “beating up” game towards waiting “marksmen” who stand at agreed waiting points with a bow or shotgun. Trapping is used for some species, such as the collared peccary. Another customary hunting method involves the construction of an elevated platform, “the Wabani,” at sites where game animals are known to feed and drink, including fruit-bearing trees, pools and saltlicks in the bush. Platforms are also used to shoot game feeding on crops or bush-fallows. The use of fire is also common in hunting and fishing practices. Hunting grounds are located throughout the Wapichan territory in mountains, bush mouths (forest-savannah edge), deep bush, bush islands, savannah and along creek margins, and are shared by all Wapichan communities. The jurisdiction over these areas is shared between adjacent communities and overseen by traditional authorities (Toshaos). Once or twice a year in December and April, a larger group of hunters engage in a community hunt over approximately two weeks.

Under Wapichan customary law, people cannot kill animals considered ‘decorative’ (animals that “decorate” land and make it more beautiful), such as the giant anteater and tamarin monkeys (Saguinus midas). Some animals are believed to have supernatural high levels of spiritual powers, such as Anacondas (Eunectes murinus) and Boa (Constrictor constrictor). Similarly, people should not kill water eels or stingrays because this might scare the fish. Anyone killing these species is subject to the revenge of their spirits and thus are avoided. Customary rules also indicate that pregnant wildlife and young animals as well as the leader of the White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) herd should not be hunted.

Some people avoid the consumption of species such as tapir (Tapirus terrestris), grey-brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga), tortoises (Chelonoidis spp.), capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris), and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) for health and cultural reasons. However, these taboos are not generalized, and most people continue to consume these species. Young women may only eat certain fish and meat when they take part in traditional puberty rites. The shaman is a special figure that provides advice on the avoidance of certain meats or fish and remedies to people experiencing negative consequences because of the breach of taboos.

Menstruating women should avoid forest areas, rivers, creeks, lakes, and springs. They are considered to be particularly vulnerable to the attacks of boa (Constrictor constrictor) spirits during menstruation. Many taboos, particularly those relating to fish or meat consumption, are associated with pregnant women or women during their menstrual cycle. There are also taboos related to areas in which hunting and fishing restrictions apply. Some areas are considered sacred and are off-limits or require special rituals to be accessed as they are inhabited by animal spirits. Taboos related to wildmeat consumption may also serve as a management tool for natural resources. This is more evident for some species such as the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), which has a low reproduction rate.