I recently read an editorial concerning the use of technology in hunting. This article was specifically related to the use of “trail cams” but also included mention of the Pope and Young Club’s restrictions on electrical devices mounted to a bow or arrow (i.e. rheostat adjustable sight lights, illuminated arrow nocks, bow mounted range finders, etc.). We all agree Pope and Young was founded by Traditional Archers of the first magnitude and probably had no idea where American ingenuity would take the sport or the associated equipment; however, I wondered (I have this problem, you see) how Pope and Young would look upon digital trail cameras. My personal opinion is they would frown on their use ether before or during hunting season. “Scouting” is properly done on foot with field glasses and eyeballs. As to lighted arrow nocks: I have always wondered at folks’ fascination with these devices. For the average Joe, they would seem only to serve as a distraction, disturbing correct follow-through by wanting to see where the shot had gone. For video taping a hunt, they make it much easier for the audience to follow the arrow’s flight path and for the videographer to verify shot placement after the fact. I have no clue as to why they should be banned by the Club. It has no bearing on my life, I just wonder (here we go again), why the ban? If someone were to say they wanted to mount a range finder on their bow, I believe I would direct them to the local Walmart gun department to just pick up a 30-06 (no disrespect to the’06). It strikes me that if a fellow feels so unsure of his archery/field skills as to require a bow mounted range finder, this would be the same sort who would use heat-seeking, variable pitch fletched arrows and he has taken up the wrong sport. To Cam or not to Cam? That is the question. What say you all?
I got my first camera last year and I also had some thoughts about it's use. I ended up placing it in an area where the wind currents don't allow hunting near the main scrapes. I felt, used in this manner it had no influence on the filling of my tag. I must admit that I had a great time with it. Enjoyed seeing the photo's of all the animals that visited those scrapes. I'll use it in a similar manner again this year. Chris
I can understand what your saying. When I 1st got these trail cams I thought man this Is going to help my hunting out allot!!! I was wrong. It hasn't helped me out none other then frustrate me at times. To me their not much of a scouting tool but rather a slight Inventory tool. I'm pretty sure these camera's don't catch near the deer that your land or your neighbors land holds. For me I know they haven't. You brought up range finders, to me they take too much of the hunt out of the hunt for me. I don't care for that part of the technology In bow hunting.
I could care less about the game cams....my dad bought he one years ago but I don't really have anywhere to put it because it is illegal on the place I hunt. I guess I could see what is walking down by the creek on the .25 acres in my backyard! LOL. I am not a rangefinder kind of guy. I don't need something to tell me what 20 yards is, come on.
Are they illegal on Quantico? I scored one cheap on eBay and am going to put it on the property in Goldvein to see what is moving around out there. So far I have taken pictures of two cats, a raccoon, my wife and kids in the back yard and the cleaning lady at the BOQ in Pax River when I was there. Tried to get a pic of the deer eating our hostas, but she hasn't been back since she topped them off. Not too productive so far.
Sean, I believe they are illegal on Quantico. I have not read that in the regs but everytime I enter the base I see that sign that says something to the effect "no unauthorized pictures or video recording of any kind...". So I have always assumed that the game cams were illegal due to the potential security implications given that the Corps, DEA, and FBI all reside on the base. Maybe I need to call the federal game warden.
I'll ask one of the GW's. Made friends with a few when I did the wounded warrior hunt. We're doing that in the fall for deer if you want to tag along....14B...cleared impact zones, not open to hunt, ever except those two days.
