The panel: Have advancements in hunting equipment taken the challenge out of hunting?

Compiled by Ed Godfrey Comments 0
Published: October 2, 2009

Have advancements in hunting equipment taken the challenge out of hunting?

"I think technology has taken the challenge out of hunting. You got so many things that are so sophisticated. The technology has changed so much and it’s in the advantage of the hunter. But you are getting more and more people wanting to go to the woods. If they didn’t have the technology, these people wouldn’t go. So if we don’t pass this on to the next generation, it’s going to die. The easier we can make it for them, the better off it’s going to be for everybody. It’s still not a given. You still have to practice.”

— Steve Glass, Oklahoma City deer hunter and inventor of the Trophy Bag Kooler

"I believe it has to some degree, especially when you look at bow hunting. If you look at the compound bows, I think it has taken some of it out, with the GPS units, rangefinders and binoculars and such. At the same time it’s made a lot of it more enjoyable because it’s not as frustrating to do. If you go out with a recurve and sit in a tree and you miss four or five deer, you get a little frustrated. But as hard as it is to find a place to hunt and as easy as it is for the deer to get away from you, I think a little bit of technology is not a bad thing.”

— Tim Slavin, Oklahoma City deer and turkey hunter and founder of the Oklahoma Outdoor Outreach Foundation

"I see and hear a lot about all the new gadgets and technology and think it really is making things too easy for hunters. But then I watch what comes in the shop and I don’t think it has increased the chance of success to much at all. The biggest thing in hunting is to find the animal. You still have to put in the time.

"No matter how good the equipment is, it still comes down to how much time (hunters) spend out there. I know it has made it easier to stay focused on the hunt when you have good equipment and it helps keep more hunters in the woods, but I really don’t think it makes it to much easier to actually take that animal when the time comes.”

— Melvin Hart, deer and elk hunter and taxidermist in Yukon

"Technology has opened up the sport of hunting. Take crossbows for one. Hunters who would have to give up or never start archery hunting due to physical limitations are able to enjoy archery hunting. Another example is the GPS locater collar for your bird dog. It doesn’t tell you where the birds are. It tells you where your dog is.

"Hunting is about a lot more than getting your bag limit. In my opinion, 99 percent of hunters care more about getting ready for the trip, camaraderie with friends, the stalk or pursuit and most of all the story you tell. The thrill comes from seeing God’s great outdoors and no phones ringing in your ear.”

— David Martin, bird hunter from Del City and owner of Quail Ridge Hunting Preserve near Tecumseh