Substantial improvements to hunting gear in the last 10 years?

[RCB]

An interesting question popped into my mind: in the last 10 years, how has hunting gear improved? What are the most substantial changes? I bring this up because, to be honest, I suspect that most improvements are pretty small. But I haven't been hunting for 10 years, so I thought I'd ask people who actually know.

My guess is that the single biggest improvement has been the availability of mapping apps in smartphones. Makes access a lot easier.

On the opposite side of things, I suspect firearms have seen virtually no improvement at all. It's basically the same technology we've had for a long time. Bullet technology can't have changed all that much either. I can't imagine optics have improved a whole lot in 10 years, either - maybe some improvements in coatings?

I suspect the available set of packs, shelters, sleeping bags, and clothing and so on are probably a bit lighter than they were back then. Again, probably not a huge difference: most materials (down, polyester, cordura, nylon) are not new. I suspect there are more products using CDF these days. The premium Italian leather boots that are so popular on this forum are probably almost no different from something you'd find decades ago. Knives are still knives.

Correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Justin Crossley]

The two biggest things that I can think of are:

1. Rangefinders (think Sig Kilo 2400 or latest Leica)
2. Phone Mapping (onX and Basemap)

 

[grappling_hook]

Although it's not "gear," I'd say the wide availability of hunting information sources on the internet is the biggest development. That includes discussion forums like this one, YouTube hunting channels, websites with hunting information/stories/tactics/gear reviews/animal biology information/etc. Closely followed by the mapping tools you mentioned.

 

[KyleR1985]

1. The critters exhibit the same characteristics as they did 10 years ago, 100 or 1000 or 100,000 years ago for that matter.

2. The people exhibit basically the same characteristics as they did over those same period.

3. The land the critters inhabit has shrunk exponentially.

4. The decisions on the amount of that land available to hunt, and how many critters inhabit it, and who can hunt it, and how much, are largely made by folks with very different incentives from the critters and the hunters.

Those four things drive 90% of the outcomes of hunting scenarios today.

A gun that could shoot beyond the range a critter is normally alarmed by a human was the lone step change. We shot nearly everything to extinction. If it weren't for number 4, there'd be no critters.

After number 4 came into play, no change in gear, or technology, has a demonstrable effect on outcomes. Crappy hunters outfit themselves with the best gear, the best app, and still kill the same percentage of available critters to kill. Why? Because good hunters execute at a higher level with all the tricks, relative to the crappy hunters. With a finite resource, the success rates of hunters, regardless of technology, are constrained.

 

[KyleR1985]

haha, what I meant to say, is "relatively speaking, there have been no major advances in hunting gear, technology, or techniques in the last ten years.".......

 

[RCB]

haha, what I meant to say, is "relatively speaking, there have been no major advances in hunting gear, technology, or techniques in the last ten years.".......

So you bring up the point that averages success rates are constrained. How about this thought experiment:
We send you back in time 10 years ago. You can equip yourself with quality gear of that time. Then we bring you back to today, but you are not allowed to use anything except the gear from 10 years ago. You will be competing against hunters who have today’s gear. How much of a disadvantage are you at, as compared to if you were equipped to today’s standards? I would think not much...

Now imagine 20, 30, 40 years...

 

[Rich M]

On X is a huge change. It has helped folks go without fear of trespassing.

Bullet technology has changed. The 6.5 revution is nothing more Tha a different bullet design. In time they'll maximize them for all calibers.

Carbon gun barrels for a price...

Someone said range finders. They sure help folks hit.

Optics coatings continue to give better low light performance.

Synthetic gear resists water and keeps heat in. But we already had wool...

Ferrous fire starters. I can't remember when they got more available and popular.

Preference points and draw limits keep folks from hunting.

 

[VernAK]

Power pickup windows are now standard rather than an expensive option.

 

[Maverick1]

I have personally benefitted the most from advances in toilet paper technology. Game changer, for sure.

 

[Billy Goat]

Define substantial.

I feel like clothing has improved a lot, in comfort, and performance. But it doesn't do anything that wasn't done before, just lighter and more comfortable. It's not substantial over what was around 20 years ago tho.

Bluetooth connected scopes that compute compensation for you seems pretty big. Still need accurate inputs. Wind is the most challenging call.

Lightweight shelters have taken off, seemingly the who backpack hunting scene. All kinds of lightweight gear that wasn't nearly as prevalent 10 years ago.

Don't forget the 6.5 Creed,prc,wtf. Made everyone a sniper.

 

[Poser]

Headlamps have improved dramatically. Who remembers wearing a giant double EE battery on your head?

 

[Dioni A]

The rangefinder is the biggest advancement in hunting gear since the repeating rifle. Following that reliable rifle Scopes, packs, and the gutless method are significant also.

 

[16Bore]

Cheap binoculars.

 

[KurtR]

Define substantial.

I feel like clothing has improved a lot, in comfort, and performance. But it doesn't do anything that wasn't done before, just lighter and more comfortable. It's not substantial over what was around 20 years ago tho.

Bluetooth connected scopes that compute compensation for you seems pretty big. Still need accurate inputs. Wind is the most challenging call.

Lightweight shelters have taken off, seemingly the who backpack hunting scene. All kinds of lightweight gear that wasn't nearly as prevalent 10 years ago.

Don't forget the 6.5 Creed,prc,wtf. Made everyone a sniper.

6.5 creedmoor doesn’t count it was around for more than 10 years even though some think it just showed up.

 

[WRO]

Scopes that dial along with rangefinders..

Not many people dialed 10years ago or shot past 300 yards.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Mike Islander]

Better backpacks and much better ammo/bullets. GPS. Stoves. Tents. Clothing.

 

[Billy Goat]

6.5 creedmoor doesn’t count it was around for more than 10 years even though some think it just showed up.

Pretty close to ten years. Guess it was a little longer ago than that.

Guess I can be part of the hype as I bought a 260 rem as soon as it was standardized in '98 or '99

 

[Phaseolus]

Headlamps have improved dramatically. Who remembers wearing a giant double EE battery on your head?

And dropping the sucker and having the light bulb filament break. I practiced changing the bulb with no light...

 

[mwebs]

Clothing is a lot better, don't you guys remember layering cotton? I remember putting 4 pairs of cotton "hunting" socks and shirts on when I was a kid and I would still absolutely freeze in my crappy canvas waders during duck season. The new gen bows are pretty crazy, I shot the new Mathews stock and honestly didn't feel a thing when released, absolutely dead in hand, but I still shoot my Z7 which is around 10 years old I think.

 

[chasewild]

Backpack frames. Range finders. The internet.