The ancient sport of hunting has changed over the last few decades, especially when it comes to hunting technology. Gadgets like GPS units make it easier to navigate the playing field, while advances in gun manufacturing have increased precision, accuracy, and functionality of firearms altogether. While some argue it’s for the better and others for the worse, technology has influenced hunting. Here’s how.
Gun Manufacturing
In the 1950s, hunters who weren’t still using a bow and arrow were packing a Winchester Model 94 or Savage Model 99 with no scope and .30-30 cartridges. Technological advances in gun manufacturing now allow hunters to carry rifles with high-velocity calibers, lightweight synthetic stocks and power scopes that give them increased range-finding capabilities. Gun manufacturers have made it easier to hunt over greater distances with more accurate and successful shots and lightweight weapons that make it easier to pack for greater distances on longer hunting trips.
Firearm Accessories
Technology has greatly affected the variety of firearm accessories as well. With aftermarket firearm parts, it’s easy to customize your gun to fit your needs and provide you with the special features you’re looking for. For example, hunting at night used to be more difficult and dangerous, but a night vision system attached to your day scope gives you night vision and the ability to simultaneously record anything you’re looking at. And a waterproof rangefinder typically reads from 8 to 1,300 yards, measuring half-yard increments, making it easier and more effective to shoot from longer distances.
Smartphone Apps
Smartphone apps for hunting inform you of optimal times, keep track of your exact locations, log observations and so much more. For optimal hunting times all over the world, download an app that provides real-time and up-to-date details for the best time of day to hunt, feeding/activity periods of certain animals, sunrises, and sunsets. Instead of lugging around a turkey or duck call, many apps provides you with over 20 interactive calls for waterfowl, turkey, deer and even bigger predators. To track, record and collect all of your hunting observations and information, store every detail about your trip including weather, target game, time of day hunted and the animal’s weight in a journal app.
Trail Cameras and Drones
Instead of spending days or even weeks scouting out an excellent hunting spot, trail cameras and drones capture photos and videos of prospective sites without you having to work too hard. Most trail cameras are triggered by a combination of heat and motion, with battery life averaging one month to four months, making monitoring a new hunting site easy. Picture quality varies, but the photos provide you with a great perspective of the area and what potential game you might find there. Still a controversial topic, drones are used more often for hunting to scope out a potentially lucrative hunting area or even to locate the target animals themselves. Unlike trail cameras, drones have a quicker return, provide higher-quality footage and increase accessibility, opening the sport to more people.