2 greatest inventions in modern hunting

[jim in Anchorage]

Let's see. 50 years ago. 1963. What gun/ammo would I be using? Why the same 1951 made Winchester M70 30-06 stuffed with Nosler 180 gr partitions I use today. So the gun is out.
So I go with the modern 4 wheelers we have today. I 1963 I would have to buy a old military jeep, find and install oversize aircraft tires on it and pray I got a mile in before it broke.
Now just go to the Honda dealer, buy a Foreman 4x4 and you will have a reliable machine that will take you across the swamps all the way up to the sheep country.

 

[Art Eatman]

Probably ATVs and laser range finders. Lotsa new stuff, but little of it is all that important for hunter success.

Might add in stuff for bow hunters, about which I know little.

 

[gspn]

1. Better bullet design.
2. Much better affordable optics.

My gut is to go with these.

I do wonder though...could one of the biggest improvements be manufacturing and design processes?

I can walk into any number of stores right now and buy a stock hunting rifle that will shoot Sub MOA for $600 to $800. I don't have to do anything to it but take it out of the box. Was this the same 50 years ago? I wasn't around 50 years ago so I don't know the answer...but I'm curious. Could one of the best "inventions" be computer aided design, or some other manufacturing process?

 

[Andrew Leigh]

Hi

Personally I would discount bullets as even old technology bullets bring home the bacon. I would agree perhaps if we were talking long range target shooting but not general hunting. I would agree bullets if the hunting was limted to dangerous game like Buff and Elephant but this does not represent the majority of hunting experiences.

1. The philosophy of the accurate rifle - In this I believe that the technology and product available to the modern shooter to allow them to improve accuracy is a massive.

a) Rifles are produced more accurately from the outset.
b) Bedding techniques have improved and are accessible to the average shooter and no longer limited to the gunsmith.
c) Loading software has removed a lot of the guess work from load development improving accuracy.
d) Equipment is available to the average shooter to measure results etc.
e) Better equipment is available to reload with.

So I think that the one greatest inventions has been the improvement in accurizing rifles. I know this covers a couple of points but it is the

2. Improvement in quality and cost of optical aiming devices.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

1. Bullet material.
2. Bullet design.

 

[MCgunner]

1. Smokeless powder
2. Quality affordable optics

Nah, I like the holy black, myself. But, I'm getting old and so are my eyes, so I might go with the optics thing. But, ya know, sit in my blind for a hour at 85 degrees, then tell me the Thermocell ain't one of the most fantastic things ever invented! It's fun watching those little blood suckers fly out the window and hear the constant buzz go quiet.

Then, sit in my blind for an hour at 28 degrees (yesterday) and tell me you don't appreciate a propane heater! ROFL!

 

[MCgunner]

So I go with the modern 4 wheelers we have today. I 1963 I would have to buy a old military jeep, find and install oversize aircraft tires on it and pray I got a mile in before it broke.

I see you've dealt with old jeeps. I spit my drink on THAT one. ROFL! Amen, brother, amen!

 

[jim in Anchorage]

Oh the woods and tundra of Alaska are littered with the carcasses of old busted Jeeps. Nothing makes a hunt like busting a axle in 4 feet of mud 20 miles back in.

 

[Art Eatman]

In 1950, the old Hornady Spire Point in an '06 was killing deer just real dead.

A Weaver K2.5 was plenty for a 16-year-old to hit jackrabbits at 200 yards, and get five-shot groups around one MOA. Heck, the rifle design was 1917.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Better scopes and better clothing.

 

[red rick]

Better clothing.
Better tree stands.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

1) Better clothing
2) Atv's

 

[AKElroy]

Delete.

 

[skiking]

1. Waterproof breathable fabrics
2. Quality optics

 

[Todd1700]

1. Safe Climbing tree stands for deer hunting.
2. Denser than lead shot for turkey hunting

 

[Kernel]

The internet.

 

[Skyshot]

Gortex boots and lightweight water proof clothing. Wool is still great but it's heavy. And I can still slay any critter with a century old 6.5x55 rifle and fifty year old ammo.

 

[der Teufel]

Maybe not the greatest, but not bad . . .

Electronic hearing protection rates high on my list.

http://www.amazon.com/Caldwell-Profile-Electronic-Hearing-Protection/dp/B00BD4VETI

These have built-in stereo microphones so you can still hear what's around you (maybe even slightly better than normal) but they shut off when a loud noise like a gunshot occurs. When I shoot, all I hear is a "WHOOMP" sound.

These have the capability to plug in an MP3 player or whatever for when you're mowing the yard, but we use them to connect to a small FRS radio. When we're hunting hogs (which is all I do) my buddy and I can go in opposite directions and call the other if we see something interesting. Even when we're within sight of each other, but perhaps 50+ yards apart, we can just talk over the radios instead of shouting.

If we want to get the other person's attention quietly, a couple of clicks on the mic button work well.

As a bonus, they keep my ears warm when the weather is cold.
--

 

[tactikel]

+1 on GPS. It has given me confidence to explore new areas, and to find a blind 1/4 mile away in total darkness in the rain.

 

[AKElroy]

Game cams. I really like being able to see what and when my beasties come around. Who, as well.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Compound Bow

I don't use one but they revolutionized bow hunting, putting more hunters in the woods and harvesting more deer.

Higher quality over the counter ammunition

Yes bullets have improved, but so has the consistency of the loads in factory ammunition. So I'd put Optics a very close third, for a good set of optics might not mean an accurate shot if the ammo is crap, and good optics mean more when you add good bullet performance upon impact.

LD

 

[rodinal220]

1) Insulated Thermos

2) Box of Kripsy Kreme donuts