Am I Getting Old? Image Stabilized, Cell Trail Cams Too Far?

[littlebigtine]

I think there is a huge difference in the 2 technologies you bring up here. Cell cams might be too much tech, the ability to potentially be sitting somewhere, minding your own business, then get a ding on your phone and rush off somewhere to kill an animal seems like a bridge too far to me. On the other hand with image stabilized binoculars you still have to hike the hills, have the game eyes to pick the animals out of the terrain, and you’ve really only saved the weight of the tripod so I don’t understand the hate, wanna talk thermals on the other hand I can completely agree they have no place in hunting(I’m not talking about varmint control)

I will say I own and use image stabilized binos and did own a cell cam before it burned up in a wildfire, my cell cam was set to send me photos once a week and I never intended to use it for anything other than saving me the trip to pull cards.


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I agree that IS right now is not much of a factor but what happens when you rifle is stabilized? The sky is truly the limit and hunters that will be alive in 20 years will be asked these hard questions.

Personally IS is a turn off for me. Call me old fashioned but I dont like any tech in any of my optics. It will be a more difficult decision to make when the IS optics or digital optics out perform the best glass in fov and clarity and weight.

 

[omicron1792]

Of course. I think you need to reread my OP then come back to me. Never said limit rifles with traditional scopes. Auto RF scopes are a different story.

Those who say not to limit other hunters based on personal feelings/ethics are silly. Hunters have done this since the beginning of the North American model.

So we can sit on the couch and use a drone with a mounted rifle next? Please. If you aren’t in favor of that then your a hypocrite for saying hunters can’t impose new restrictions of any kind.

We all want opportunity!

You just seem to want the exact opportunity you feel is best.

 

[Muleys32]

I agree that IS right now is not much of a factor but what happens when you rifle is stabilized? The sky is truly the limit and hunters that will be alive in 20 years will be asked these hard questions.

Personally IS is a turn off for me. Call me old fashioned but I dont like any tech in any of my optics. It will be a more difficult decision to make when the IS optics or digital optics out perform the best glass in fov and clarity and weight.

Agreed with this. Image stabilized binocs are a step too far for my personal taste. I do struggle with thinking about enforcing that upon others.

Optics that point out game, can save the spot you were looking at as you sneak in (see garmins new range finder), thermal everything, etc… there is no end it seems like.

 

[go4thegusto]

Just read last night about real time cell cameras with AI recognition and antler scoring. You can have 12+ cameras up live on a split screen on your computer or TV. AI identifies the animals previously seen and named. "Walter just walked but today for first time this year and estimated score has gone from 140 last year to 152 this year.
Good grief. Where is the mystery and fair chase?
Or stated another way...where is the line in the sand?

 

[Kodiak06]

You’re gonna freak when you hear what Teddy Roosevelt and other conservationists did back in the day….

Nah, I know what went on "back in the day" and how it affects us today. With that said, your reply has absolutely nothing to do with my comment.

 

[Pacific_Fork]

You’re gonna freak when you hear what Teddy Roosevelt and other conservationists did back in the day….

It really is amazing and also not worth commenting on this subject anymore. Hunting on the Spectrum is the next big thing on Netflix. These adult onset hunters media brought us can’t fathom hunting without the latest gadget and starlink at their camps.

 

[rookieforever33]

Just read last night about real time cell cameras with AI recognition and antler scoring. You can have 12+ cameras up live on a split screen on your computer or TV. AI identifies the animals previously seen and named. "Walter just walked but today for first time this year and estimated score has gone from 140 last year to 152 this year.
Good grief. Where is the mystery and fair chase?
Or stated another way...where is the line in the sand?

I struggled with the spend knowing my 2 cell cams with solar panels was almost $400, then $15 every month to use them. I cant imagine the cost of what you describe. If anything my cameras have saved deer. Ill catch a big buck on camera one day, and pass on deer for the rest of the season. Never seeing the big buck again.
The likely hood of me seeing any big buck on the camera, getting my clothes, boots, binos, and rifle together, predict exactly where that buck is going, then get there to shoot him without him seeing me, smelling me, or spooking a doe that blows my woods out is probably about the same as buying a winning lottery ticket.
To me the biggest benefit of the cell cams is knowing that a branch or weed is waving in front of it so I can take action before I have 1500 pictures of it.

 

[rogerthat]

I will be out hunting with my thermal drone and giant laser this next coming year. All you fudds better not try to tread on my tech with common sense technology limiting regulations.

 

[go4thegusto]

This is me and me only, and yes I am getting old.
I drew a line in the sand years ago for no cellular cams.
I have to drive out to my spots (10 cameras out last year) and retrieve SD cards.
I love it. Gets me out of town, coyote rifle in the truck, thermos of coffee, shotgun etc. Fresh air and always bump in to something cool along the way. Better than the office.
That's just me.
This is a recent SD card retrieval day, would not have got those sitting at home looking at cell pictures.

 

[Rich M]

Im 6 hrs from my hunting place. Love me some cell cams. They double as security cameras - primary use actually.

 

[Batsonbe]

I really enjoy seeing trail camera pictures and knowing what animals and types were passing through. For me though it became work. I would pick the perfect stand based on the wind and trail camera pictures. Then get there and the winds were swirling. I’d get down and go somewhere else based on the winds and then get in the tree and the wind was swirling there and I was worried about deer busting me. It really took the fun out of deer hunting for me. I still do my best to find places with a desirable wind but I enjoy my hunt regardless of what I do and don’t see and what the winds are doing.
I’m not interested in scores but would kill the first good rack buck and be tickled to death with him.

 

[omicron1792]

Im 6 hrs from my hunting place. Love me some cell cams. They double as security cameras - primary use actually.

Same. I live a distance from my farm. Checking cards isn’t a good option.

 

[Cwsharer]

The reason we have hunting still today is from hunters and fish and game agency self regulating/regulating legal hunting to preserve the tradition and population of game . The idea that we will just use whatever technology we want because it hasn’t been banned yet is crazy basically saying “ hey they are going to ban hunting eventually anyways so we might as well live it up while we can!” Bad mentality. How are you going to change the mind of an anti hunter when they see the tech and gear available for “lazy wildlife murderers” . Their perception is important whether you like it or not

 

[ddd-shooter]

Nah, I know what went on "back in the day" and how it affects us today. With that said, your reply has absolutely nothing to do with my comment.

Uh, conservationists have been “caring what other hunters do” since we gained enough sense to stop exterminating species.

In other words, it’s not new and personally I hope the conversation continues.
Those who latch on to every new technology need to be reined in by common sense.

 

[Kodiak06]

Uh, conservationists have been “caring what other hunters do” since we gained enough sense to stop exterminating species.

In other words, it’s not new and personally I hope the conversation continues.
Those who latch on to every new technology need to be reined in by common sense.

LOL, not everyone uses cell cams for "hunting" nor does your opinion matter. I've killed hundreds of animals due to my optics and ZERO because of a cell cam lol. Gues they should outlaw binos, spotting scope, range finders, and rifle scopes

 

[Traveler]

in the places where you can see an animal on a cell trail cam and get there in time to kill it…that areas population can probably support it. I have a hard time thinking of a place I hunt where someone could respond that quick.

I have an emotional reaction to limit to compound bows and rifles with simple scopes. But my observations of people with a lot of tech is that they don’t have higher harvest rates.

Access to good populations is a much larger determinate than access to tech. Building more healthy ecosystems is a more important issue.

 

[Zak406]

I think there is a fine distinction between people who hunt and people who hunt off cell cams.

On average your guy who hunts is a better hunter than those that rely solely on cell cams. I will make a caveat to those who live hours and hours away from property.

I use 2-3 cell cams however the majority of my cams are traditional. My camp is 3 hours away and has limited cell service so cell cams rarely work and when they do it’s not for long.

I do honestly believe that cell cams are a step too far. However with that being said if it’s legal I don’t begrudge people that use them exclusively. I think down the road though you will see them banned in a lot of states.

I also think that boots on the ground is more important than any camera cell or not.

 

[Grizzly550]

A few simple thoughts on this entire subject:
1) For clarification - I have cell cams on my property but do not "hunt" them. I do not have alpha grade optics, weapons that I will shoot past 500 yards or most other fancy items. I do have a good pack and boots.
2) Technology will continue to advance as long as people are willing to purchase it. This forum is filled mostly with hunters looking to get an "advantage" through the purchase of something - whether it be optics, new boots, new pack, etc. If there is an advantage to be found we are trying to do it.
3) Jealousy is real. I am not calling out anyone in this thread but people tend to dislike things the do not have.
4) Most people will defend what they have. If you have cell cams you will most likely defend them and the same can be said for is optics. If you have a recently invested in an alpha spotter you will most likely defend that over an is spotter due to the investment. The same can be said for money and tags - if someone has lots of money they may favor increasing tag costs to cut down on the number of hunters.

For now I will hunt with what I have and not complain if others use technology to hunt as I feel that generally I can outhunt most with knowledge more than tech. In the future I am sure I will own IS optics, if for nothing else than to steady the shakes as I age.

 

[omicron1792]

A few simple thoughts on this entire subject:
1) For clarification - I have cell cams on my property but do not "hunt" them. I do not have alpha grade optics, weapons that I will shoot past 500 yards or most other fancy items. I do have a good pack and boots.
2) Technology will continue to advance as long as people are willing to purchase it. This forum is filled mostly with hunters looking to get an "advantage" through the purchase of something - whether it be optics, new boots, new pack, etc. If there is an advantage to be found we are trying to do it.
3) Jealousy is real. I am not calling out anyone in this thread but people tend to dislike things the do not have.
4) Most people will defend what they have. If you have cell cams you will most likely defend them and the same can be said for is optics. If you have a recently invested in an alpha spotter you will most likely defend that over an is spotter due to the investment. The same can be said for money and tags - if someone has lots of money they may favor increasing tag costs to cut down on the number of hunters.

For now I will hunt with what I have and not complain if others use technology to hunt as I feel that generally I can outhunt most with knowledge more than tech. In the future I am sure I will own IS optics, if for nothing else than to steady the shakes as I age.

Great post