Haha . Lol. The game hasn't changed one bit from 50 years ago. Only the people have changed, deer are still deer, populations fluctuate and we adapt just like we did 50 years ago.
I think that people are actually becoming worse "hunters" and the advanced equipment, attractants, camouflage, scent removers, ect are just trying to make up for the enormous amount of skill loss that's happened over the past 30 years. People nowadays simply rely on too many other things than their own knowledge of their prey and the land to bring them success on their hunt.
Look at (and hear) the barrage of Waterfowlers over the past few years thanks to Duck Dynasty Phenomenon. Not a clue what they're doing, but they've got all the right equipment and their highball comeback calls sound absolutely fantastic coming from their new Zink call, wearing their Sitka waterfowl colours, shooting flats of BlackCloud out of their Benelli SBEII over their 8 mojos and 10dz Avian X decoys. Or look at the old timer in his canoe with the same gear he's used for the past 50 years paddling back with his limit.
I think that people are actually becoming worse "hunters" and the advanced equipment, attractants, camouflage, scent removers, ect are just trying to make up for the enormous amount of skill loss that's happened over the past 30 years. People nowadays simply rely on too many other things than their own knowledge of their prey and the land to bring them success on their hunt.
Look at (and hear) the barrage of Waterfowlers over the past few years thanks to Duck Dynasty Phenomenon. Not a clue what they're doing, but they've got all the right equipment and their highball comeback calls sound absolutely fantastic coming from their new Zink call, wearing their Sitka waterfowl colours, shooting flats of BlackCloud out of their Benelli SBEII over their 8 mojos and 10dz Avian X decoys. Or look at the old timer in his canoe with the same gear he's used for the past 50 years paddling back with his limit.
That is bang on! I agree 100% with what you said. A lot of new hunters feel they need the latest and greatest gadgets, and having these they will sometimes forget about the basics because the promoters of these new things always get bag limits or big racks just using their gismos. Getting close to your prey is a skill, yes you can get lucky and come out smelling like a rose but if you study your prey and actually learn their habits it don't matter what camo you wear or type of call you have your odds of success will increase. Deer are still the same animal they were 30-40 yrs ago. Few things on their mind, eat, breed, survive. They don't plan holidays or trips or work. They adapt to change in their habitat not by choice but for survival.
I am fortunate I get to watch deer out my back door and can sit in my stand and see deer almost every time I am out. I enjoy just watching them and seeing how they travel around thru the trails and seeing how and what grabs their attention. What startles them and how they react to sounds and smells. Just watching them allows you to understand them more and helps make you a better hunter
I don't think it's so much a case of compensating for lack of skill as it is a sucker being born every minute. And it has always been thus ... there has always been new gear that you must have to bag more game, and never more game being bagged. What's different today is the amount of money we have to throw at new gear, and of course there's a whole industry ready to take advantage of that.
"The language of dogs and birds teaches you your own language."
-- Jim Harrison (1937 - 2016)
Deer hunters in particular - as deer numbers drop back to "normal" levels, hunters are quitting because "there are no deer".
Back in the seventies the deer in 7b and 8 were so over hunted along with high wolf levels that the season in wmu #8 was closed from 79' to 88'. The deer population in #8 is way down now but not in dire straights.
35 years ago we had compound bows, "Martin Cougar Magnum", XX75 aluminum shafts, insulated camo clothes, home made tree stands, and cars you could fit 3 or 4 deer in the trunk.
But the rush is still the same!
And yes it's tagged, in the nose
Last edited by be2man; November 24th, 2015 at 11:25 PM.
The biggest change to hunting has been the internet. What took years and years to learn is now at everyone's finger tips. I welcome trees stands, cameras, range finders, better archery products, ammunition ect ect. Like golf, skiing, camping it makes for a different experience but ultimately every area we hunt is different and for the most part in WMU 60 it's not easy to get a deer consistently if you don't live there regardless of when or how you do it. Luck has not changed. My best and most important piece of hunting equipment has always been between my ears. Stay positive and keep dreaming in that deer while your on watch and by gully (not my words lol) you will be amazed what will show up...almost like a ghost. That part will never change and that's why we hunters are so obsessed.
Well you'll have to explain that..'smarter' how? ...they still come to a pile of apples in the middle of the bush..they don't seem to be passing it on that's it a trap
Or all this 'advanced' equipment does little to increase our odds....
In the days of old, a man sitting against the tree in his Sudbury Dinner jacket with the wind in his face was shooting as many deer then as they do now sitting up 20' in expensive trees stands wearing top of the line Mossy Oak clothing.
Originally Posted by JUDGE
I can't believe that the deer are smarter now then 25 years ago.
14 bucks open day gun season 2012
I guess you guys didn't get the sarcasm!
Of course they are not smarter than they were 30 years ago. If you read some of the posts on this site though, you would think that some people actually believe that they are.
Of all the new, advanced equipment that is available, the only things I've really adopted are an electronic rangefinder (to reduce wounding deer when archery hunting), a gps (along with a compass, for my own safety) and waterproof clothing with the currently available camo patterns. Most of my other equipment would have been around in more or less the same configuration 30 years ago. I would say that my stuff is less advanced than the average hunter, and definitely less advanced than the average hunter my age. I'd say my success rate is slightly above average considering I usually hunt alone. So in my opinion, most of the latest techno-gadgets are unnecessary.
Last edited by rf2; November 25th, 2015 at 10:19 AM.
Reason: spelling and grammar
Originally Posted by x_xeon_x
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