Better Hunters?

[Bruce Mc]

I was reading the thread about the ballistic phone apps and discussions about "old school" and was reminded of a commercial I saw on a hunting show the other day. I won't mention the show but it is one hosted by a respected hunter/outfitter/celebrity and in the commercial for trail cameras the host states that "it makes me a better ". I just did a HMMMMMMMMMM! to myself. Does it really make us better hunters?

 

[DrMike]

It lends an air of certainty of which animals is present. Better hunters? That is a pretty broad term; and it is debatable. I'm still pretty much in awe of the old fellows that tackled moose, elk and grizzlies with a .303 British or a .Model 64 or a Model 94 chambered in 30-30.

 

[Kodiak]

Days spent afield with your weapon of choice.

Thats what makes us better hunters.

An old guy's $0.02,

 

[Guy Miner]

I agree Kodiak. I learned a lot about rifle shooting from competition, The Corps, various shooting schools and a lot of range time.

That made me a better rifleman.

Becoming a better hunter has been a lifelong adventure. I envy Yukon Huntress with her wilderness lifestyle and the opportunity to hunt so frequently. More time afield, paying attention to the details, does make a better hunter.

 

[sask boy]

Guy, I agree with you :wink: time at the range learning your rifle's capabilities & gaining conference by doing a lot of shooting really helps. But time in the field observing & trying to understand the patterns of the animals you hunt makes the biggest difference

Blessings,
Dan

 

[ScreaminEagle]

All the technology in the world won't make you a better hunter. A better equiped hunter, maybe. Becoming a better hunter takes patience, time, trial, and LOT'S of error
Steve

 

[wildgene]

...uh, well sure, more info always helps, but tech is always a "double bladed sword", or maybe, too often a crutch. A game cam can add some clues to who/ where/ what/ when that can help an observant hunter deduce where & when to be, but it's just another tool. Being able to use the info, along w/ all the other clues will make you a better hunter...

 

[Songdog]

Things like google earth and iHunt have definitely helped me kill more game. The ability to look at terrain in 3d or figure out ways to access different areas has made a huge difference in how I scout/hunt. Did it make me a better hunter? No.... Does it help me put more critters in the dirt? Absolutely.

Things like Strelok and iBallistics have certainly helped my shooting ability. Using and learning from technology will certainly make you better..... but, reliance on technology will lead to disaster.

 

[DrMike]

Well said, SD. Well said, indeed. Use technology and be grateful for it. Rely on technology and it may well bite you.

 

[Vince]

Saying this as a relative newcomer to hunting, I think the various tools help to make us more efficient but time in the field learning your prey is what makes a better hunter.
Just add a pinch of grit, a touch of gumption, and a smattering of try.

 

[winchester100]

Days spent afield with your weapon of choice.

Thats what makes us better hunters.

An old guy's $0.02,

Exactly !

 

[truck driver]

I was lucky to have been born in a time where I was allowed to roam threw the woods and over farms as I grew up, no one got excited when they saw a gun in my hands. Most of the times I had a BB gun, .22lr or a fishing rod in my hands. As I got older the caliber of my rifles got bigger. My father taufgt me how to tell time by the sun and to navigate by natures compass. At 12 years old he could drop me off in a 1500 acre Mt wildernes at 5:00am and tell me to meet him back at that spot at dark and I would be there at the specified time all with out a watch or compass. I would spend hours in the field and woods watching the animals and learning thier habits. It got to the point that I could and still can walk into a new area read the animal signs and go back a day later to hunt and be confident that I'll see game and maybe the trophy I want.
My mother being half native American may have helped me along the way but paying attention to what my father told me and just enjoying being out alone in the field or woods every chance I had is what made me a better hunter also having parents that trusted me enough to let me roam. Also I learnt that I didn't have to kill everything I saw and just to injoy what the good Lord had placed here for me see and learn from.
I have a GPS to get around with in populated areas with my Tractor trailer and to find addresses. The military taught me to read a map and use a compass but when hunting I don't carry either.
Electronics are great but if you can't trust your instincts and learn proper land navigation with out them you are looking for trouble.

 

[Oldtrader3]

The young guys which I see and even some younger relatives which I hunt with put more stock in technology then in their own abilities. Plus, you can't see game if your nose is pointed at apps much of the time!

 

[Mud]

Learning from your mistakes in the field/mountains make you a better hunter.

 

[tim629]

I agree with technology being a double edge sword.

I'm new to reloading, but have already learned that bullet manufacturing processes have come a LONG way since the old cast lead musket balls.

We can now pretend to have an idea that this buck comes through this area around this time every day by checking our trail cams...but we all know that hunting season pressure can change that in a hurry


Where I can argue for and against technology: range finders/distance "hunts", they make a more ethical shot possible for bow and rifle hunters, but is it really "hunting" to launch a projectile 500yards at a deer? I know there are antelope on the plains, bull elk across a draw, plains game in Africa, ect...

Google maps are great for showing a hunting party the general lay of the land


I will admit I'm no stellar hunter, I don't put in the preseason time like I should, my trail camera is sitting in the spare bedroom (reminds me I should go hang it up) but when it goes up i'll probably try to catch the mother & fawn that hang out in the hay field every evening, if I had a range finder id use it

but in the long run, i think the technological gadgets are a crutch.

we use it to replace time in the field because our lives are getting too busy, instead of using hunting as an excuse to get away an extra day a month to take the gun or camera for a walk and relax for an hour close to your favorite deer stand, or a 4 wheeler ride to check out a food plot, ect....

 

[Wincheringen]

About the only bit of technology I've added is better maps and a rangefinder. Better maps make sure I'm not breaking any rules and the rangefinder has helped make better shots. Only time in the field can make you a better hunter.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I use a GPS and Sonar for fishing. I use a rangefinder when hunting where there may be a longer distance shot. I have a GPS to prevent getting lost in the mountains. However, don't have apps or hunting technology that I use on my phone or any of that which I think is more an indication of age than anything.

 

[Bruce Mc]

When I started this thread I really didn't know what bothered me most about the comment "it makes me a better hunter". I have a pocket size Garmin that I have taken in the field with the intent to learn to use it. I haven't gotten past turning it on and getting a longitude and latitude. Topos and a compass are always in my pack. I have a range finder that I carry but have never used it to range an animal that I have shot. I recently decided to "fix up" my Winchester 70 and make it a true long range machine. B&C stock, Leupold scope with custom dials, and so on. And I then found that I didn't like it. Tooo techy! I prefer wood and a simple scope. Years ago I purchased a compound bow with all the bells and whistles and shot it a bit and found it just wasn't any fun. Back to the recurve. But then again, when I'm reloading ammo I couldn't be without a chronograph and all my gadgets. I use Google Earth to look over the areas I plan to hunt. Its hard to resist the lure of technology. It does make things more "SIMPLE"? Or should be more "EASY"?

 

[DrMike]

I'm aware of technology, Bruce, but I'm still addicted to the need for stealth and the ability to get close. I like the idea that if I can hold on hair the game is coming home with me.

 

[Bruce Mc]

Mike, aren't our lives a paradox. Animal instinct and technology.