Too much technology?

[Gr8bawana]

I just watched a hunting show where guy was hunting mule deer in TX with a guide. On a private ranch of course, they find a deer, guide uses range finder, 250 yards, hunter then proceeds to shoot right over deer. 250 yards! If you need a range finder to shoot 250 yards you you need to go practice some more.
Watched another show where guys spot mule deer way out there, 700 yards plus. Out comes the range finder, wind meter, them some figuring on computer phone app, then dialing in scope, then shoot.
Whatever happened to hunting by the seat of your pants?
I think as a society we have become WAY too dependant on technology.

 

[406precision]

I will have to respectfully disagree...I don't see where taking advantage of technology to be a more efficient hunter is a negative?? Knowing the range to your target is an important piece of information and I wouldn't want anyone taking a shot beyond 100 yards not to use one if they had it most folks cant tell you with any accuracy however how far away things are.I do think there are a lot of gadgets out there for sure!! but some of them are very useful.

Jordan@406

 

[BigSurArcher]

To each his own. I'll confirm a 250 yard shot with my rangefinder every time. I'm also ready to crank my reticle down 6.25 MOA for a 550 yard shot if that's what the situation calls for. I just spent 7 days living out of my pack alone in the Idaho backcountry, "hunting by the seat of my pants" as far as I'm concerned. Not once did my hunt depend on technology... but it was nice to have. If technology will lead to a cleaner kill, then why not use it?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

When I was young (I'm 72 now), there was nothing like we have now, not even variable scopes. We used to practice estimating range and then pacing it off and even actually measuring the estimate with a 100' tape. We got pretty good at estimating, but in my experience couldn't get better than about 80 to 90% of the actual distance. I do like and use range finders and think there are a really great tool to help the hunter.

 

[Musket Man]

I rarely ever take a shot without ranging it first. Its difficult to accurately judge the distance most of the time especially in a new area. In more open country I have noticed distances are usually farther then I think they are. That said computer programs, phone apps, wind meters, ect are way tomuch technology for me and I would never consider using anything like that for hunting.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I think anything I can use to make my shots more accurate I'm all for it. Doesn't matter the range. I also range everything even if it's 100 yards or 300 doesn't matter.

 

[Hilltop]

The beauty of all this technology is that it is optional. Each hunter can pick and choose what tools he/she wants to use. I know some hunters rely very heavily on gadgets while others can't stand any of it. In the end, if the technology leads to gadgets that result in fewer wounded animals and safer hunts for those that use them, then it is a very good thing for all hunters... even those that choose not to use them.

 

[libidilatimmy]

The technology available to us now for hunting can be very useful and make us safer in the field so I don't have a problem with me or anyone else using what they wish. Where some get in trouble is by buying some of this stuff, not taking the time to learn the in's/out's and limitations of their new gadget, and thinking that because they have a rangefinder that can pick up an object at 600 yds they can make the shot. No matter how many high tech items you have at your disposal in the field, ethics and ability must trump every time.

 

[Musket Man]

All the gadgets can also lead to more wounded animals because there are guys that will try shots they have no business taking because they think they can make the shot because of all the fancy stuff they have. It all comes down to ethics and guys without good ethics will just try more things they shouldnt with more technology.

 

[Topgun 30-06]

all the gadgets can also lead to more wounded animals because there are guys that will try shots they have no business taking because they think they can make the shot because of all the fancy stuff they have. It all comes down to ethics and guys without good ethics will just try more things they shouldnt with more technology.

+1 mm!!!!!!!!!!

 

[CrossCreeks]

A lot of gadgets out there in addition to trail cameras, gps, range finders ect.. all can help a hunter but nothing takes the place of practice, scouting and putting time in all aspect of what your hunting. If they help a hunter I am for it but to me what is the downfall of some of these things is that some hunters buy them as a short cut and when a person does that I think that they are cheating themselves out of the important aspects of hunting. If a range finder can help you make better shots ( which it can ) and a GPS allows you to hunt further or in areas you might not feel comfortable hunter thats great but we need to use these thing to make us a better hunter not to make us a hunter. By the way it tough hunting without a range finder especially out west.

 

[Kentucky hunter]

When I was young (I'm 72 now), there was nothing like we have now, not even variable scopes. We used to practice estimating range and then pacing it off and even actually measuring the estimate with a 100' tape. We got pretty good at estimating, but in my experience couldn't get better than about 80 to 90% of the actual distance. I do like and use range finders and think there are a really great tool to help the hunter.

Did you use a sun dial back in the day CC lol Just joking I can remember dad making me shoot my bow an guess the yds an we would step off trees around our stand so we would know what pin to use

 

[shootbrownelk]

Did you use a sun dial back in the day CC lol Just joking I can remember dad making me shoot my bow an guess the yds an we would step off trees around our stand so we would know what pin to use

Pins? When I was a kid, we didn't have no stinking PINS!

 

[Gr8bawana]

I just got back from a succesful mule deer hunt in the Ruby's of Nevada and I used my range finder but not until after the shot. After hunting
since 1976 I have learned to judge distance pretty well. My son asked how far the shot was and we found it was around 367. After hunting
for so many years I think I know what a reasonable shooting distance is for me.
Technology does not equal knowledge and experience.

 

[Sfjeeper]

I would agree that technology is a bonus of living in the 21st century. The GPS and the range finder are invaluable tools for the modern hunter. They keep us safer, and allow us to make a more informed decisions on how, when, or when not to shoot.

That being said, one of my favorite parts of hunting IS getting out and leaving the technology behind. I enjoy the solitude and getting in tune with nature. Like many of you, I deal with phones and computers on a daily basis. It's nice to unplug and take a deep breath.

I like to use technology sparingly, but it's nice having it available if necessary.

 

[HuskyMusky]

It's one thing to miss at 250yds...

It's another to assume an animal is 250yds and then miss because you didn't use your range finder.

Especially out west it's easy to think something is 250 and it's really 500yds!

I hear ya on technology though...

side note, I can't believe what some of this junk costs! I saw that tight spot quiver... $150! I think you can pick up a pretty awesome quiver for $40...

 

[Musket Man]

It's one thing to miss at 250yds...

It's another to assume an animal is 250yds and then miss because you didn't use your range finder.

Especially out west it's easy to think something is 250 and it's really 500yds!

This is why I always range before I shoot. Especially in a new area distances can appear much different then they are. I saw a coyote this year I thought was 400 but the rangefinder said 215. It was a small coyote and made it look much farther. I would have shot over it if I hadnt ranged it.