This is a question directed toward the guys who have many years of bowhunting under their belt. Have the advances in technology made bowhunting any "easier"? I realize that most game populations have steadily increased therefore leading to more animals to hunt, but as far as the tools of the trade, has the ever increasing technology made it somewhat easier to bag an animal? With introductions of things like faster, quieter bows, trail cameras, scent elimination products, google earth etc.... before these types of things existed how much harder was it.
Well obviously yes even since the somewhat short 20 years I have been bowhunting. Better bows at least for me I see a difference in performance there and how well I shoot. Trail cameras I think are HUGE in scouting especially for a certain type of animal the hunter may be after what trails are hot and what is not without invading the area. Scent elimination not so much IMO I believe we have always had to play the wind to increase our chances. Then all the technology advances and we still have guys shooting traditional equipment. I guess I will wait to see what hey think. They have all that knowledge of todays equipment but still choose to use some of the first bows, I can't see how it would be any easier. Trail cameras I guess is the biggest advancement at the moment until someone else brings something to my attention on my tired mind.
Zach, Good question, I will give you my opinion. The answer is both yes and no. I have never used a trail camera or scent elimination product. Google earth doesn't do a thing for me. Quiter, faster, bows....absolutely, but bow technology still has its limitations. I believe nothing will ever replace good old fashion boot leather on terra firma and the wind in your face. Firsthand experience is priceless-the more you have the easier it becomes to leap frog into new endeavors(recognition of details becomes easier). However, your ability to overcome gravity becomes more of a chore as you age. The bows might be stronger/faster, but you are not. For me, it has been a constant game of "win some, lose some". When I find things are easy, I try to make them hard. When things are hard, I try to make them easy. That's the beauty of being at the top of the food chain.
So what you are telling me huck is that it is not so much the advances in technology as it is pure experince that makes getting your animal an easier task?
In my opinion the biggest advancement In bowhunting technology today by a long shot Is a rangefinder and also the huge let offs In the compounds. Other then that I don't believe the Scent Eliminator Clothing does anything for you and the trail cams (for me anyway) are more of an Inventory tool then anything. By no means do they tell you everything, not even close. Heck, they'll screw your hunting up If not used properly.
Zach, I'm going to say that overall there are some products (mainly archery equipment) that have made it easier in the respect that it's easier to be effective with the new equipment. It's easier for the average guy to pull out the compound, fling a few arrows and be [closer to] ready to go than several years ago. So... I'm going with "yes"
Steve, I completely agree w/ you on the scent elimination clothing, but things like sprays, soaps etc... Surely they have helped some?????
25 years ago you needed a 10 yard pin with a good compound. Your range finder had a dial on it and you found your yardage by focussing the target and then looking at the dial to see what yardage it was set on. Probably not too many people on here who remember that. Yes, things are a lot easier IN THE END GAME today then they were back then. However, you still needed to get to where you could take a shot. Bottom line, they are easier IMO. Especially if you do spot and stalk hunting. That is where the laser rangefinders and faster bows really make a huge difference.
To me, advancements in hunting clothing has lead me to more success than faster bows or rangefinders have.
Without a doubt it is easier today than 25 years ago and for several reason. The advances in bows is amazing. Longer shots possible, I don't know many people that were taking 40 yard shots 25 years ago and those that were were the in the top % of shooters. Today, an adverage shooter is capable of a 40 yard shot. The bow are so much quieter, combined with the today's speed, has to have lead to fewer deer jumping a string. Today's stands are so much better than 25 years ago. The biggest advantange here I would have to say are the climbers of today and the comfort level of today's stands, allowing you sit long (all day). Even today's clothing is better. Not talking about ScentLoc, but the fact that I can stay warmer with less bulkness. I do agree that scent eliminating sprays and soap has helped as well. I know I always try to put my face in the wind, but there are times when the deer come from down wind and I do believe there are times when this has happened and not gotten busted when 25 years ago you would have been busted before you even knew there was a deer in the area. Now combine all these things with 25 years of expeirence under your belt and without a doubt it is easier, but still not easy.
I think todays modern combound bows are easier to learn to shoot accurately for a beginner. I also think tree stands have come a long way in that they are so much quiter, light, easy to set up, and even adjustable to leaning trees. So there are some things out there today that might make the sport a little easier than it used to be but I don't see that as a bad thing at all. Mabye some of these advances help more people become interested in bowhunting and actually stick with it?
Yes, I can stay warm, dry and comfortable all day long with the high tech hunting garments that is available to us now. 10 years ago on a cold day I would be cold and miserable just a couple hours in, now I can stay all day if I choose. I hunt more often and much longer because I can battle the elements. Doesn't matter how fast your bow is or how precise your rangefinder is if you are at home because it is raining or to cold.
I think many of us are in agreement with Will's statement, in varying ways. I believe to kill "a" deer is easier with the modern equipment (Bows, Clothes, Stands and TACTICS). This is why some (after ealier success's)set thier goals on a differing levels, be it hunting with Traditional Gear, or selecting a certain class of deer to target. The biggest of all the advancements in my mind is the mechanical release.
I guess that is something I hadn't even thought of but your right. The hunting clothing I use today is much better than what I had 10-15 years ago. I used to get wet and freeze my butt off but now I can hunt in almost any conditions with my water/wind proof fleece camo. Even the underwear (UA) I use now can make a big difference.
For me personally...technology has probably only made it SLIGHTLY easier to kill a deer, and the 2 greatest things are bow silencing gear & mechanical releases. The 2 things that have had the greatest impact are knowledge(both of equipment & deer) and a much larger population that when I 1st started. When I started, I didn't know anything about bow tuning & had a 10 & 20 yd pin. & if you misjudged distance you missed. I shot with fingers & was inconsistent. Now with a faster bow, all those "mis-judged" misses would be gone, BUT they may still be gone with out the speed, since I'm much more adept at telling if a deer is 12 yds or 18 yds. I've still never killed a deer with the use of a rangefinder. Mechanical release, that too may be argued over the amount of ease that it has instilled, and that with 20 more years of finger shooting, my release would be much better & a mech release gives me no real advantage. I had 2 deer duck my arrow back in the day. None have done so in a REALLY long time. So there is one instance where its likely that a quiet bow has made it easier. Give me knowledge & experience over gear any day & I give you a pile of deer.
