Hunting Technology. How much is enough?

[Snapshot]

O.K. I deleted my comments on the Thermal imaging thread, as I don't want to create an off tangent debate, or hard feelings, on someone elses thread.(Sorry Coach)

 

I am somewhat old school in my way of hunting. I don't use the latest and greatest technology. Don't need it, don't want it. With the exception of the new bow I will buy BUt I am talking electronic technology, and not mechanical.

 

Has the quest for succesful hunting, and inches, gotten to the point where hunters are now relying so much on high tech gear, that the true spirit and essence of hunting is lost? What happened to the good old days? I can understand the desire to harvest the biggest animal on the mountain. I can understand the desire to have a massive racked animal hanging on the wall. How much is enough?

 

But my question is "Where does it end"? Is the day going to come where a hunter doesn't even have to leave their recliner because they can harvest animals by sattelite tracking or some other form of super duper techno whizbang gizmo. Sounds silly doesn't it? Just wait. Someone will always market something to get money out of a hunter, if it makes harvesting an animal a less sweaty adventure.

 

I am an avid flyfisherman.,but I don't need, or use, underwater cameras, thermal imaging, miniature submarines, or what not to catch fish. Every year I see dozens of new fly patterns hit the market. Most are spinoffs of old patterns. But just the same old bug being packaged in a different form. These flies are designed to catch fisherman, becuase it's the "Latest and greatest" fly pattern. Flyfisherman think that they will catch the biggest and most fish with these new flies. So they buy them. I can still catch just as many fish on fly patterns designed 50 years ago, without paying the premium price for the new whiz bang fly. It's all in the effort.

 

Case in point on hunting technology- Don't give the Feds, State agencies, or Anti groups an excuse to try and REGULATE.OR BAN. It creates an avalanche effect. First one thing ..then another.....and another......

 

But then again, thats just me.

[elpepe25]

word

[Coach]

I think you are spot-on, Snapshot - and I would welcome your comments on that thread. That's why I started it - to get some discussion going.

 

On the one hand, if I were a guide and consistently finding/harvesting trophy animals is what paid the bills, I doubt there would be any technology I would pass up. 3 years ago,very few people could afford to buy what is basically, simplified military technology.

 

G&F depapartments across the country are no doubt looking at this issue very closely, but as we all know, government has a slow process, whereas technology is incredibly fast-paced.

 

For myself, I have laser range finders, use google earth, mapping software and expensive optics. But I still tie my own flies, build my own bullets, tune my bow, work up each rifle I shoot based on trial and error. I'm more than happy to sit behind a good pair of binoculars for hours and trust my instincts and experiences to make a hunt, just that - a hunt.

 

I really appreciate your input, and the fact that you approached it with such courtesy. FWIW, this isn't something I'm advocating, just looking for other opinions on the topic.

[firstcoueswas80]

Brent, these are the times dude! We are a world reliant on technology and it is bound to spill over in to many different areas, hunting included. The fact is, hunting is a billion dollar industry and everyone wants their piece of the pie. That's their right, so why try and stop them?

 

In your words, none of use should use range finders, or even digital cameras since those are all "electronic technology", is it not? (Pot? Kettle?)

 

Granted, I think thermal imaging is a little far in the hunting industry (and I would never pay to use it) but I am not for a second going to bad mouth it or speak against those who use it. To me, it is like saying that AR-15's have a place in the world, so long as they are not automatic, do not use 30 round mags etc. The anti's (and our fearless leader) are so anxious to take any and all firearms and firearms related rights that we, as hunters need to welcome and praise any and all technology or item that offers us an edge instead of bad mouthing it... All you have to do is simply NOT buy it. The hunting world will NEVER be "fair", someone will always hire a guide, or someone will always have 10+ friends/family etc on the hills glassing for them, someone will always use game cameras, etc.

 

 

My opinion bring on the thermal imaging, make it legal, make it for sale and to those who want it/need it... Use it! etc. I wont use it as I don't see it fitting into my arsenal (or my budget), but I will not look down upon someone who uses them.

[Snapshot]

Very true in what you said. I am not trying to be a hypocite. I do use a ragefinder, simply to keep from wounding an animal, and maybe not recover it. Even tough I have taken many deer without one. I was reading a similar topic on another site, and it kind of struck a nerve with me. I am just wondering were the real art of hunting has gone. Man against nature.

 

What about young hunters growing up in a techno hunting world, are they going to want to hunt if they don't, or can't , have all of the cool stuff, and miss out on the real adventure of hunting? Heck, even 10 year olds have cell phones these days. When I was 10, I had 2 cans and a string

 

Hunting is the last primal sanctuary we have left.

[firstcoueswas80]

My brother has two big game animals under his belt. His hunts have been as follows:

 

walk.

watch big brother find the animals.

shoot big animals.

take pictures

watch/help big brother gut animals.

watch big brother (and dad at times) pack/load animals.

watch big brother skin animals.

 

 

I dont really see that ruined by gizmo's.

 

truthfully, I think your taking this waaayyyyy too personal and are assuming it will have a much larger impact than it really will.

[Snapshot]

My brother has two big game animals under his belt. His hunts have been as follows:

 

walk.

watch big brother find the animals.

shoot big animals.

take pictures

watch/help big brother gut animals.

watch big brother (and dad at times) pack/load animals.

watch big brother skin animals.

 

 

I dont really see that ruined by gizmo's.

 

truthfully, I think your taking this waaayyyyy too personal and are assuming it will have a much larger impact than it really will.

 

Maybe that time of the month But it is still my duty to turn hunters away from the dark side of the force. and........Obama.

[firstcoueswas80]

My brother has two big game animals under his belt. His hunts have been as follows:

 

walk.

watch big brother find the animals.

shoot big animals.

take pictures

watch/help big brother gut animals.

watch big brother (and dad at times) pack/load animals.

watch big brother skin animals.

 

 

I dont really see that ruined by gizmo's.

 

truthfully, I think your taking this waaayyyyy too personal and are assuming it will have a much larger impact than it really will.

 

Maybe that time of the month But it is still my duty to turn hunters away from the dark side of the force. and........Obama.

 

Thought that was the same thing?

 

 

And, not to be rude, and in all due respect, its not your job. Hunters (most) are full grown adults capable of making their own decisions on what they choose to use or not to use on their hunt as long as it is within the letter of the law.

 

Dont like it, dont use it. It truly is that simple. I dont like ballistic tips for big game, so I dont use them!

[WISH I was on the MOUNTAIN]

I like good optics, good boots, and any ol gun.

The rest is just extra weight...

[naturegirl]

if hunters don't self limit the use of the latest & greatest technologies its a safe bet big brother will...eventually.

 

I personally would enjoy messing around with a thermal system a time or two but not in relation to hunting.

 

I think for some hunting is primarily about the prize and not the experience. I personally prefer to continue challenging myself without that type of aid.

[AverageJoe]

I think with reliance on technology the ability to hunt is slowly being lost. I use whatever is out there but i feel without my rangefinder i am lost. I am thinking about ditching it for archery hunting all together. I would rather just "know" how far the animal is and be able to shoot rather than fumble around with my rangefinder, range it, get my bow ready, etc, all the whIle losing precious moments icould have already shot out of confidence. You see what i am saying?

 

With rifle hunting, i like the handiness of a rangefinder also, but dont need it. It helps on those long shots but truth be told one can learn to judge distances without it and most hunters can get within 300 yds of a deer pretty easily if needs be.

 

Point is technology is actually a handicap and takes away from the basics of hunting. If your rangefinder breaks on a hunt can you still hunt out of experience or would you cancel your hunt and go buy a new one? Can you use iron sights out to 500 yds with confidence? Find deer without thermal imaging?

 

I am going back to the older style of hunting just so i do not forget how. I will still keep my cool gadgets for certain occasions but think it is important to remember how to actually hunt. And no i am not going back to just stick and string but to the days of youth when i learned to hunt without all these gadgets. I realized the importance of this after the last week of archery hunting.

[PRDATR]

And what did we do before Bow Sights? We knew the trajectory of the arrow and canted the Bow accordingly.

[AxisWorks LLC]

And what did we do before Bow Sights? We knew the trajectory of the arrow and canted the Bow accordingly.

 

And possibly wounded/ killed more animals without recovery! I get it, it happens. It has happend to me once and anyone with any ethics makes them sleepless and sick. I'm not jumping on the thermal imaging wagon but I am a firm believer in equipment that aids in solid clean harvest of game wether its a range finder confirming yardage or fiber optic bow sights that aid in last light confidence.

 

Speedy.

[reganranch]

And what did we do before Bow Sights? We knew the trajectory of the arrow and canted the Bow accordingly.

 

And possibly wounded/ killed more animals without recovery! I get it, it happens. It has happend to me once and anyone with any ethics makes them sleepless and sick. I'm not jumping on the thermal imaging wagon but I am a firm believer in equipment that aids in solid clean harvest of game wether its a range finder confirming yardage or fiber optic bow sights that aid in last light confidence.

 

Speedy.

 

Well said Speedy. Quick, and painless is the only way to go we owe it that much to the animal.

[Non-Typical Solutions]

I think with reliance on technology the ability to hunt is slowly being lost. I use whatever is out there but i feel without my rangefinder i am lost. I am thinking about ditching it for archery hunting all together. I would rather just "know" how far the animal is and be able to shoot rather than fumble around with my rangefinder, range it, get my bow ready, etc, all the whIle losing precious moments icould have already shot out of confidence. You see what i am saying?

 

With rifle hunting, i like the handiness of a rangefinder also, but dont need it. It helps on those long shots but truth be told one can learn to judge distances without it and most hunters can get within 300 yds of a deer pretty easily if needs be.

 

Point is technology is actually a handicap and takes away from the basics of hunting. If your rangefinder breaks on a hunt can you still hunt out of experience or would you cancel your hunt and go buy a new one? Can you use iron sights out to 500 yds with confidence? Find deer without thermal imaging?

 

I am going back to the older style of hunting just so i do not forget how. I will still keep my cool gadgets for certain occasions but think it is important to remember how to actually hunt. And no i am not going back to just stick and string but to the days of youth when i learned to hunt without all these gadgets. I realized the importance of this after the last week of archery hunting.

 

I know without my GPS.....I would still be lost somewhere in Unit 27........could have been the best thing to ever happen to me......