[Predator One]

When I was a boy, probably in my early teens, I loved to hunt deer, birds and eventually moose in my old red and black checked wool Mackinaw jacket, blue jeans and sneakers but all the hunting gear, clothing and scientific knowledge I used back then could be easily worn or carried on my belt or in a hip pocket for the most part.A small elastic band "home-made" cedar deer call, a 30.30 with open sights, matches, a cheap compass and a sharp hunting knife were all I seemed to need...but today, I have become "Americanized" with a pack full of all the things I think I need...a GPS unit to go along with my compass,a couple of storm proof or Bic lighters, two way radio,binoculars, a cell phone,emergency first aid pack, cover and attractant scents, and I wear waterproof woolen hunting clothing in layers and don waterproof boots.I use and carry in... tree stands and ground blinds, compound bows, heavy caliber rifles with variable "zoom" scopes, drive a 4x4 Chevy truck with a big game winch on the back, or my 4x4 Grizzly atv. I weigh sixty pounds more, but I am more comfortable in the woods than I used to be...and... I still wonder at times just how much all that new gear, scents and calls has helped put venison on the table. So today, I am curious as to what great changes/advances in gear and science you believe has made you a better/successful hunter and why?

 

[Mister November]

When I was a boy, probably in my early teens, I loved to hunt deer, birds and eventually moose in my old red and black checked wool Mackinaw jacket, blue jeans and sneakers but all the hunting gear, clothing and scientific knowledge I used back then could be easily worn or carried on my belt or in a hip pocket for the most part.A small elastic band "home-made" cedar deer call, a 30.30 with open sights, matches, a cheap compass and a sharp hunting knife were all I seemed to need...but today, I have become "Americanized" with a pack full of all the things I think I need...a GPS unit to go along with my compass,a couple of storm proof or Bic lighters, two way radio,binoculars, a cell phone,emergency first aid pack, cover and attractant scents, and I wear waterproof woolen hunting clothing in layers and don waterproof boots.I use and carry in... tree stands and ground blinds, compound bows, heavy caliber rifles with variable "zoom" scopes, drive a 4x4 Chevy truck with a big game winch on the back, or my 4x4 Grizzly atv. I weigh sixty pounds more, but I am more comfortable in the woods than I used to be...and... I still wonder at times just how much all that new gear, scents and calls has helped put venison on the table. So today, I am curious as to what great changes/advances in gear and science you believe has made you a better/successful hunter and why?

lol....awe.....the good old days!
the funny thing is....we seem to have shot more deer back then, than we do now!

but it is funny how the sport has evolved....because you hit it dead center!
do we really need all that stuff....maybe it just makes us feel better...something makes us think that we have a better chance with all that gear!
but your right...we are more comfortable in the woods!
i actually enjoyed reading this post...brought back some good old memories!

 

[Axeman]

Years ago hunters like my dad had what I call "woodsmanship"; They knew their way around, took the time to learn their quarry and knew the lay of the land. Not today - today everyone is looking for a silver bullet - some way to gain an advantage over a deer because they don't take the time to develop woodsmanship.

I think the other factor back "in the day" was the fact that a deer - any deer - was a trophy. To me, the number 1 factor today that influences our expectations and the way we hunt is the sales job of the American media - all aimed at BIG bucks. Find me one magazine that does not have a huge racked buck on the front cover and I'll show you a magazine that is quickly going out of business. This has "warped" the hunters mindset and expectations more than anything else. I even read a lot of guys on here who talk about only shooting monsters, or how in NB we have a lack of mature bucks.....mostly because they haven't shot one or seen one. Doesn't mean they don't exist.

No one ever sits and takes a pencil and calculates just how many of an average deer herd would be mature bucks. The number is amazingly low - in ANY deer herd. Yet we all focus our attention on shooting this, and are so dissapointed when we don't. Mature bucks make up less than 20% of all the deer on the hoof, and the "bruisers" among these are even fewer.....likely around 5-10%. The average mature buck in NB sports an 8 point rack, but our visions are of the massive 12 pointer, or a huge non-typical. They are like finding a needle in a haystack.

The last problem is with the new generation that has been spoiled ...unfortunately by our generation - everything handed to them on a silver platter. It has engrained into their minds a sense of entitlement. Few any more seem to be willing to take the hard road, the bumps and bruises, the time and effort it takes to be successful - at anything. Rather, they want the easiest, simplest, least painful way to get what they want. With hunting, everyone thinks they "deserve" the big monster buck. Some realize the odds of this, and thus when we see someone who has shot one we tell them - "That's a buck of a lifetime" because in reality, that's about how many the majority of hunters will shoot - one or two. For the rest, they are dissapointed, and spend much of their time and effort whining about the way things should be, and what all the problems are.

 

[wonksy]

I Dunno...But 1 Thing Is For Certain...
There's As Much Captain Morgan @ Deer Camp Now, As There Was 20 Yrs Ago!!

Hawoooooooooooooooooo Ca'monnnnnnn

 

[Mister November]

I think the other factor back "in the day" was the fact that a deer - any deer - was a trophy. To me, the number 1 factor today that influences our expectations and the way we hunt is the sales job of the American media - all aimed at BIG bucks. Find me one magazine that does not have a huge racked buck on the front cover and I'll show you a magazine that is quickly going out of business. This has "warped" the hunters mindset and expectations more than anything else. I even read a lot of guys on here who talk about only shooting monsters, or how in NB we have a lack of mature bucks.....mostly because they haven't shot one or seen one. Doesn't mean they don't exist.

great point axeman!

 

[SIMPLELIFE]

I would have to say my Trail Cam,I just don't have the time to be out in the woods scouting every week end

 

[Hunttoomuch]

I would say that the outer wear that I now have makes hunting so much more enjoyable in that I can stay warm and dry regardless of the weather. I would also agree with SL about the trail cams, best invention ever.

 

[Axeman]

Hey hunttoo much - I'm curious what you've bought that works so well in wet/cold weather. I've yet to find anything as reliable as my wool pants and fleece....but I'm willin to learn!

 

[SIMPLELIFE]

I would also like to add footwear,used to hunt in old work boots,and be frozen and wet.Now I can sit alot more comfortably and longer in the stand.

 

[NBG]

Easy answer: Google Earth and L Exporateur. I can scout from the comfort of my living room anytime I want. Takes alot of guesswork in a new area. Always into the maps.

 

[greyghost]

I don't load myself down with gear , if it won't go in my pockets or on my belt I don't take it . Most of my gear is tried and true , no different than the gear the guys were using 50 yrs ago .

I did get a gps a few years ago , it's nice for marking hot spots that I find in the woods , but after the novelty wore off I found that I wasn't using it much .

Like NBguide said , Google earth is very handy .

I wear wool pants , jacket , hat and gloves , but on the really wet days I use a gortex hat and gloves . As long as my head and hands are warm and dry I'm fairly comfortable .
I've used a lot of different boots but for me a pair of rubber gum boots works the best .

 

[Hunttoomuch]

Hey hunttoo much - I'm curious what you've bought that works so well in wet/cold weather. I've yet to find anything as reliable as my wool pants and fleece....but I'm willin to learn!

Axeman, 4 years ago I bought a Scentblocker Prohunter Jacket and bibs. They are windproof and waterproof and work awesome. The jacket itself is very warm and in moose season I take the liner out and it is comfortable for that time of year as well. They used to sell those style of jackets at Cabelas but they no longer list them. The reason I bought it in the first place was because you could unzip the flaps on each chest, throw it over your shoulder, zip them on the back and go from camo to orange blaze. The jacket has worked very well for all weather conditions. Hat and gloves are gortex. Boots are Rocky and worth every penny.

 

[mu'in]

Tons of newer gear and the marketing for it! It's insane..

As long as Im warm and dry, Im good. (rifle and optics may be a bit better than what i carried as younger fellow).

All the ads say this or that will improve your chances etc etc, BUT the best way to improve them IMO. is still to keep ...
"The Sun at your back and the Wind in your Face"