The thread header is a quote from Charles H. Duell, US Commissioner on Patents, in 1899. He also resigned and petitioned for his office to be eliminated, citing....well...that everything that could be invented, had been invented. We all (hopefully) see the fallacy in his outlook, then. But I wonder how you think this translates to hunting. Have we invented everything that can be invented.....AND STILL KEEP HUNTING "SPORTING"? IMO (caveat) all that NEEDED to be invented was done many years ago. What's transpired, since then, is great strides in hunter comfort and great strides in the ease of taking game. Again, IMO.....THE biggest reason more hunters are more successful today (subjective) vs. our predecessors.....is attributable to one thing......................herd population. I can count on one hand the number of successful deer hunters I knew growing up ("successful" is defined in this instance as someone who simply killed A deer). In NC, the herd pop. has grown over 500%, now, since 1977. Back to topic...... Do you think there are still inventions out there? Is it short-sighted to think there isn't? What (conceptually) do you think might be "out there"?
The ability of humans to innovate is immeasureable. Granted, patent applications have dropped significantly over the past decade (near 40%), but I don't think that has anything to do with being out of ideas or possible inventions. I personally think it is due to the expense of a patent application. I actually have invented a new sighting device for rifles (could be used in archery I guess) but the dang patent application would cost me between $20,000, if I did a lot of the work myself and risked screwing it up, and $80,000 to have it done thoroughly and professionally. I don't have $80,000 laying around, so my engineering drawings and specs are just sitting in a notebook collecting dust. I know that is kind of beside the point here, but I am just trying to show an example. You are right though in that what we NEED is already there. However, when in human history have we been satisfied with substinence? There are new inventions every day in the archery business alone. New incremental improvements on existing products. That is innovation and invention too.
I agree with you. Anything past a bow, arrow, and broadhead isn't needed to kill a deer while bowhunting. Everything else (new compounds, camo, treestands, cameras, scents, etc) makes our odds at success better. I'm sure there is plenty more bowhunting items/products to be invented. Will they be necessary to kill whitetails? No.
There's more to go I believe. Bowhunting has changed so much. Personally I don't like how It's changing but that's just me and how I am. No knock on anyone else and how they go about their thing.
Only thing I'm waiting on is the pill that gives me 8 hours of sleep in 3-4 hours time...I just can't seem to find time to sleep, especially during hunting season...
there will always be new ideas and ideas to improve a current invention. This sport keeps growing and growing each year it rediculus!
I personally think that the increase in hunters success can be contributed to the amount and availability of information that greatly reduces the learning curve. Even for new techniques or equipment, what used to take countless hours of field time to perfect can be reduced significantly because we as hunters can now learn from others' successes and failures.
I have been moving "backwards" over the years.....rifles->shotguns->muzzloader->compound bow->recurve this year. The only thing that I really use hunting wise that is increasing in technology is my use of mapping software and a gps. Maps and topographical study has been the number 1 equalizer for me over the past few years. So I thank technology for that...and several staff members including my buddy Gri22ly! Bowhunting to me is pretty simple when it boils down to it....I want to be able to shoot my arrows at 20 yards or less and hit my mark.
You don't think that the typical recurve today isn't better than what they manufactured 10 years ago? You can bet your bippy it is. Bowstrings are much better now, arrows are better, broadheads are better, you name it and it has improved. Another thing... With the talk of "going backwards", and since we have a few trad shooters on here, do you think that the attitude of "not needing more innovation" is because the goals of hunting have changed. Let's face it, we don't NEED to hunt. We can just go buy meat. Hunting has gone from hunter/gatherer to hobbyist. Our NEEDS are now what makes it more fun and challenging, rather than necessarily what makes it more efficient. Just a thought.
"Another thing... With the talk of "going backwards", and since we have a few trad shooters on here, do you think that the attitude of "not needing more innovation" is because the goals of hunting have changed" Great point and I agree Huntingson. We are able to purse hunting using our preferred method because we do not need to hunt to survive. If I were hunting to survive I would go about hunting in a different way.
Scent protection technology (human scent masking/elimination) will take a major VIABLE leap in the next 3 years, in an a semi-affordable price range to the serious hunter. (serious hunter is just a discription used for those willing to spend ($300-$500) on such a "luxury". Many will opt for it.... those seeing the advantage over years of buying 10$ squirt bottles of someones magical chemical elixer.
Some choose not to go down that road either, how is a Snuffer different today than 10 or 20 years ago? A wood arrow that is straight is a wood arrow that is straight! Sure string material is different, again, some choose not to go down that road! As for bows, there has been some drastic change! Some have metal, aluminum, carbon risers, personally, I want nothing to do with em, too much for me! Give me a beautiful one of a kind wooden bow and I'm a happy man! JMO! I myself NEED to hunt, NEED to shoot my bow..it feeds my Soul and is far from a hobby to me, actually........its a way of life!
People were shooting 100+# recurves 100's of years ago. And, they were effective at ranges that would draw ire, here in this forum.
Over 20+ years of hunting and a gazillion hours on stand I've come up with about 756,516 million dollar inventions. Problem is everytime I look into them I find out someone else has already invented it. Day late and a dollar short I guess. I'll keep coming up with stuff (as will others). It's far from over.
I agree 100%. Now, all they're doing is fine tuning existing ideas for the most part. You know, lighter/stronger/faster ect. But, we can't forget the not so old "Butt Out". It's quite the inovation.
I think the great improvements in how quiet bows are today compared to 20+ years ago is a significant advantage even more so than the higher arrow speads they are reaching. My first compound sound like a cannon going off in comparison to the one I use now.
