Hey guys,
I appreciate the feedback. I'm not someone who shies away from controversial topics; nor am I afraid to speak my opinion, however unpopular it might be. I think that's why Aron and I have got along so well and we respect each other. We're both willing to say things that most will not--and that hasn't changed. I first heard about this Bluetooth Nock on the Joe Rogan podcast with Ben O'Brien--Episode #987. They spoke favorably of the technology in recovering dead or wounded game. About a week later I saw a post by Cody Rich from the Rich Outdoors Podcast--Cody spoke very poorly of the product and gave a few reasons for why this technology is a bad idea. Frankly, I read Cody's post and it pissed me off--I think his reasoning for denigrating the product is flimsy and inadequate. And I like Cody--I consider Cody a friend. But that doesn't mean I have to agree with him. A few days after Cody's post I saw Brandon Bates at the Total Archery Challenge in Snowbird. I asked him if he wanted to talk about technology and hunting on the podcast and he said "yes."
I don't like hypocrisy or unfounded fear and most of the negative comments about this technology revolved around both of those traits.
I have absolutely no financial ties to BreadCrumbTech. I really don't care if other people use this Bluetooth Nock or not. But I do care about addressing ignorant, hypocritical arguments that are primarily based on unsubstantiated fears that impact the world I live in. When a guy says he would never hunt with a gun, I don't care. But when a guy says that nobody should hunt with a gun... I get pissed off. When someone says they would never use this Bluetooth Nock, I don't care. But when some dude says that NOBODY should use this nock--I get pissed off. I explained my position in the podcast so I won't repeat it here except to say that I cannot see how anybody that upholds our 2nd Amendment rights can also say that this nock should not be freely used by those who wish to use it. People abuse guns all the time--we don't ban guns because somebody got shot. Some people interpret my words to mean that I believe we should abandon all regulation; that's nonsense. I'm all about regulation. I'm glad that teenagers can't drive until they're 16 years-old and have passed a drivers test. I think it's very appropriate to regulate nuclear bombs--I think we can all agree that the misuse of a nuke would be catastrophic. But the misuse of a Bluetooth Nock is relatively benign. Especially when you weigh it comparatively against the good it can have on recovering dead and wounded game. The same logic for stopping the use of a BT Nock was been used to ban tracking dogs across many U.S. states. I think it's asinine to ban the use of a leashed dog to track down a dead animal on the basis that some people "might" use their dog unethically. Thankfully, people have come to their senses and this legislation is rapidly changing across the United States.
Let me be clear, I do not choose to employ every technology available to me for hunting. Frankly, I don't want to shoot 1,000 yards. But neither do I want to hunt with a stick-bow at this time; I like my compound. I think hunters should be allowed to choose the technology they wish to use as long as it's legal and results in an efficient, humane kill without undue negative impact to the environment or the health of existing animals in that environment. I want to make every effort to reduce or eliminate the undue suffering of any animal I've shot--this BT Nock might help with that someday. Having spent my life hunting in places like the Oregon Coast and Prince of Wales Island Alaska, I see tremendous value in employing this technology to find a dead animal that is only feet away from me but that I cannot see for the thickness of the rain forest surrounding me.
If you don't agree with me, that's cool--disagreement does not mean disrespect; but do not accuse me of "selling out" or saying crap I don't believe to collect a paycheck. Aron and I don't always like the same gear or the same people--that doesn't make me a sell-out; that makes me who I am.
As a side-note, (if you're interested) checkout
United Blood Trackers – Trained Tracking Dogs in the Ethical Recovery of Big Game for more information on dogs for finding dead or wounded game. Just to be clear, United Blood Trackers didn't pay me to post their link; I just like them. Stay gritty.
. However if moonshine is up for grabs I would be willing to throw some gear off of a cliff...
