Best new hunting tools in the last 10 years.

[NMPaul]

I was thinking the other day of things that I use and carry hunting that I did not have 10 years ago. There are several.
These are a few in the order that have made the most difference.

GPS.
Definitely, has made me braver. More likely to be a hour from the car at dark in an area I am unfamiliar with, mark spots I want to come back to, new software shows land ownership, contour lines to remind me why my heart is pounding out of my chest.

Range finder.
Whether you are making 30 yard archery shots or 1000 yard shots the range finder is a great tool to make you more accurate.

Headlamps for your hunting caps.
Cheap, keeps your hands free.

Windicator.
Cheap, lets you know what the wind is doing when it is very calm.

Bino Buddie.
Keeps your binos from hurting your neck.

Bog Pod.
Can use as a tripod for optics and to shoot off of.

Camelbak. Great way to carry water, and be able to drink without stopping or water sloshing.

Anyone else have some gadgets or items that they now use that they did not use 10 years ago??

 

[tayhot]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-10 AT 03:24PM (MST)[p]Cant forget the Butt-Out tool j/k

1. Google Earth
2. Trail cams
3. My wife finally realizing how important hunting is to me and doesnt make me feel bad for leaving a few days at a time

 

[NMPaul]

Good ones Tayhot, those are all real good. However, on the game cams I have yet to really utilize them for hunting.
I do enjoy the pics.

***********************************

Margaret Thatcher: "The trouble with Socialism is, sooner or later you run out of other people's money."


"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything he doesn't own." - Unknown

 

[tailgunner]

1)I'm not sure how long sitka has been around but I didn't have any 10 years ago.I like mine
2)Havalon knives, hard to beat for gutting, skinning,and capping.Never sharpen just change the blade.
3)My whole bow set up from the bow to the arrows has come a long way in 10 years.

 

[nmtaxi]

I would say back packs have come a long way in the last 10 years.

And.. not really a tool, but youth hunts!!! They've been around longer than 10 years, but the NMG&F sure have stepped it up in the decade.

 

[NMPaul]

I know I did not have as good of optics 10 years ago. They make a difference.

Youth hunts are great. I am gonna cry when my kids are to old to apply for them. I will be going to parents begging to have their kids apply.

 

[leftturnabq]

This is a good thread. Most of what I would mention has been said:

-GPS, Camelback, and headlamp have helped me take advantage of the whole day, making the dark a lot easier to deal with and saving me a lot of miles wandering off course.

-archery stuff, between broadheads (very fond of the 1-piece G5 Montec), arrow technology improvements for the much more durable carbon fiber, and faster-quieter-more accurate bows.

Particularly, one of the best things I've come across for archery equipment in the past 10 years or so is the drop away arrow rest. I believe this 1-piece of equipment has been the most significant in improving the accuracy of my setup.

-The rangefinder is an excellent piece of equipment for both rifle and archery alike.

-for longer range rifle shots, the BogPod is a nice piece of equipment, as well as rifle scopes with compensating/ballistic reticles.

 

[NMPaul]

I upgraded my bow about 4 years ago. When I did, my bow would have been about 12 years old.

I went from that old bow to a mathews and I could not believe the difference.
Have not even considered a new bow because I just do not see how it could be significantly better enough to spend the money.

Are drop away rests that good. I use a whisker biscuit and I think it is pretty special. I can leave my arrow on my bow and besides poking myself in the leg with it occasionally I think that is an advantage.

 

[tailgunner]

Yes drop-a-ways are that good, I was a biscuit guy for a long time for the same reason you mentioned.I like the containment idea but I also like the drop-a-way idea.I've been using a rest called a sizzor rest from nap for a couple years and love it.It has containment and its a drop-a-way.

 

[icemannm]

websites like m&m are good for info-scent killer products-elk calls-deer calls- turkey calls and camo are just a few that i think have came along way in the last 10 yrs. Tony

 

[bowelk]

Try the Trophy Taker full containment. I was too a biscuit shooter till a few years ago and will never go back. I have a found I shoot alot tighter groups at longer distances. Within 30 yards its hard to see a diference.

 

[crazeymaez]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-13-10 AT 08:33PM (MST)[p]Its all better. I dont know from the animals perspective.
My first muzzleloader I bought was collecting cans on the side of the highway.
I Paid $65 bucks for it.Only problem was it was bigger than me.
It had no sight adjustment.I remember filing down the front sight cuz it was hitting to high. lol.Killed my first buck with it though.How bout cruising the hills with Binos that that were the size of your torsr taking pictures with polaroids.
Oh,Or How about the year I was sporting moon boots.
The good ole days..Danm and Im not even as ancient as some of you guys.I just hope it dont get much more technical.The animals haven't.

 

[DOSEOF7MAG]

>
>
>"Anyone else have some gadgets or
>items that they now use
>that they did not use
>10 years ago?? "


I wish I had the knees I had 10 years ago! But yeah,a couple of things have improved.The Bog-Pod is one of the best 100 bucks I spent.I had to chime in on this one,the youth hunts.I'm right now living the dream!I waited a long time for this we have very few idle weekends.I also,in the last 10 years have this buddy that is an aspiring comedian although I think mostly unintentional.You guys should here his elk calling skills.He has this double barrel tactic;weird.

 

[mailman]

Dont forget the Butt pad...everytime I forget I curse myself out!

 

[leftturnabq]

Yes, the drop away, in my opinion, has been the biggest advancement as far as accuracy is concerned.

The whisker is great for holding an arrow in place, but not the best for arrow flight.

As mentioned, there are some drop away designs that will hold an arrow in place pretty well. The one I have lay the arrow flat on the riser until you draw, so it's fairly easy to hold a knocked arrow with your index finger.

 

[npaden]

For hunting the west the GPS is by far and away the single most important piece of gear that I use. Being able to head out 2 hours before first light and be able to end up EXACTLY where you want to be has definetly made a difference in being in the right place at the right time to close the deal on some animals.

Cap mounted headlamps are a very useful for this as well.

I'm sure I could have gotten it done to some extent with a flashlight and a compass, but not anywhere near as quickly or with anything near the confidence level in areas that I'm not very familar with.

Rangefinders are pretty good. I tend to find myself in situations where I don't get to use mine though due to poor planning on my part. Thankfully I have a nice flat shooting rifle and limited confidence in longer shots anyway so I tend to get close enough that the rangefinder isn't needed.

Another thing I thought of is premium bullets that are readily available off the shelf. I'm sure they were available to hand loaders for years, but being able to pick up a box of Accubonds, E-Tips, TSX, etc. has really made a difference I think in being able to have confidence that the shot is going to put the animal down for good. Also saves a lot of shot up meat that a soft tip bullet would have blown up on.

 

[NMPaul]

>
>>
>>
>>"Anyone else have some gadgets or
>>items that they now use
>>that they did not use
>>10 years ago?? "
>
>
>I wish I had the knees
>I had 10 years ago!
>But yeah,a couple of things
>have improved.The Bog-Pod is one
>of the best 100 bucks
>I spent.I had to chime
>in on this one,the youth
>hunts.I'm right now living the
>dream!I waited a long time
>for this we have very
>few idle weekends.I also,in the
>last 10 years have this
>buddy that is an aspiring
>comedian although I think mostly
>unintentional.You guys should here his
>elk calling skills.He has this
>double barrel tactic;weird.


Most people can never accomplish sounding like 2 elk at the same time.
It takes training and the right type of mexican food the night before.

Some would have a better chance at it if they were not sitting on the ground playing in the dirt instead of hunting.

 

[bowelk]

How about
Atvs
Spotlights
Aluminum beers cans you can screw the top back on

This is the New Mexican forum right?

 

[NMPaul]

Lots of good stuff here.

I also changed the way I hunt from 10 years ago. 10 years ago I would never consider shlepping around a tripod for optics.

Now, (unless it is a cow hunt) I dont know how I effectively glassed before.

 

[DOSEOF7MAG]

>How about
>Atvs
>Spotlights
>Aluminum beers cans you can screw
>the top back on
>
>This is the New Mexican forum
>right?

Bowelk that is the most accurate thing I've seen on MM in a long time.I like this thread.When my kid was getting old enough to really start hunting,we took the stash I was saving for a new Sako and purchased a canon gl-2 instead. Some of the footage I've gotten is priceless.There are times when it's a real hassel luging the thing around but it's worth it.It can also come in handy for the folks Bowelk describes.NMPaul,that dirt i sometimes play in hit 1400 bucks an ounce today!!

 

[medicinebow]

Good Thread! For me, I would say the digital camera. It makes a huge difference when you are trying to capture those trophy moments and not have to wonder how the pictures turn out until you get them back from the processor.

+1 on everything else mentioned.

MBBGH

 

[NMPaul]

Digital camera is a great one. I have no pictures of hunts prior to the digital camera. I regret that.
I have great pictures of our hunts and kids now.

 

[shedcrazy]

I have to agree that Archery equipment has come a long way in ten years but here I am using a twelve year old bow. I just cant let go of it.

I do like the new heads. I am now able to get a fixed blade broad head to fly as true as my field points. That didn't happen ten years ago.

I totally agree with Bino-buddy.

Aside from that, I don't have too much that I do differently than I did 10 years ago. I mean, GPS units are cool but so far every area that I have been hunting in, I know well enough to not get lost.

Oh I have a biiiig one that has helped me a great deal. aerial photography. I have been able to locate water holes and other geographic features that I had no idea existed.

 

[luckless]

Great thread Paul,
I'd have to agree with the GPS. I would take it one step further though and say my Garmin Rinos... It really is that much cooler to have not only where I am, but also my location in relation to my hunting/hiking buddy. Pray2Hunt is one of those guys who can slip away from you in a split second and you never feel quite safe shooting without the aid of the Rino...

Camelbak is way up there for sure and only bettered by a pack with an integral bladder...


DC

 

[NMPaul]

Dan, your assuming that some of us are smart enough to use the Rhinos.
I only know how to use the popcorn trail. The trail tells me where I been and I figure out how to get out looking at the trail.

All of Kharts efforts to teach me anything else have been a waste of his time. The old teaching pigs to sing analogy.

Heard the Garmin Oregon is pretty cool also.

I wont buy another pack that does not have a camelbak in it or the ability to put one in it.

 

[greatwestern]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-16-10 AT 00:15AM (MST)[p]Yes, all good stuff, all around...tools and toys are generally great

but on the other side of things, i have noticed that woodsmanship and practical hunting skills recruitment have declined remarkably in the last decade, which is an unfortunate circumstance

i know its a can of worms, but its true....gadgets ain't always good

i have been talking elk since i was 9 years old....and i speak the language pretty fluently with a primos ivory plate single, and perhaps just a little bit of good old fashioned technique...but hell, with that humble reed and a couple of these newfangled handhelds, i can sound like a whole dang herd of elk, all at the same time!

you just gotta ask yourselves, what magical wonders will the future hold? and at what cost? ;^)

 

[greatwestern]

LAST EDITED ON Dec-16-10 AT 10:51AM (MST)[p]Shucks, sorry for the buzz kill guys....I really wasn't trying to be a jackwagon, though I guess my crusty retro-grouchiness just bleeds right through, eh?

Anyway, please carry on...I was going through it and filling out my christmas list ;^)

 

[npaden]

It is all in the eye of the beholder as well as the hands of the user, but I think many of these things don't take away from outdoorsman skills but rather enhance them. Other items are just convienience like a water bladder vs. having to lug around water bottles.

Most of them actually allow for you to spend more time out in the woods and in the spots you want to be. One thing I need to be aware of though is keeping my eyes off the gps during the day and on the lookout for other things. This year during my hunting trip we found 4 sheds right along a ridgeline that I had walked down earlier when I was scouting. The difference was that I wasn't nearly as focused on my gps during the hunting trip as I was during the scouting trip.

Since I tend to do a lot of walking in the dark when I'm hunting I really enjoyed my elberestock backpack with the built in rifle scabbard this year. If I had a tag and it was daylight I still carried my rifle on my shoulder, but it sure was nice to have that scabbard hiking in rough country in the dark. It hauled out a bunch of meat too!

 

[nmyotebuster]

I absolutely LOVE my JetBoil stove.

The ability to have a hot meal at anytime of the day if it's raining/snowing or shine, and gives me the ability to stay in the field, fueled and ready for action longer ( and sometimes over night, I love to bivy with the elk ).

A hot cup of coffee at 11000 feet after a 2000 foot ascent with a cold wind in your face makes the view even better.

It packs up safe, can take quite a bit of abuse in a full backpack without rattling around, and it gives me the choice to start a fire with significantly wet wood while 10 miles from base camp if I decide to stay where I am, or am caught out in a rainstorm.

1 canister gives me 30 good "burns", and it is literally 90 seconds to boiling water.

NMYB


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teach your kids to hunt now, and you won't have to hunt for them later.

 

[shedcrazy]

Hmmmm, I like this idea. I may have to try this one out.

 

[WapitiBob]

>I absolutely LOVE my JetBoil stove.
>
>
>The ability to have a hot
>meal at anytime of the
>day if it's raining/snowing or
>shine, and gives me the
>ability to stay in the
>field, fueled and ready for
>action longer ( and sometimes
>over night, I love to
>bivy with the elk ).
>
>
>A hot cup of coffee at
>11000 feet after a 2000
>foot ascent with a cold
>wind in your face makes
>the view even better.
>
>It packs up safe, can take
>quite a bit of abuse
>in a full backpack without
>rattling around, and it gives
>me the choice to start
>a fire with significantly wet
>wood while 10 miles from
>base camp if I decide
>to stay where I am,
>or am caught out in
>a rainstorm.
>
>1 canister gives me 30 good
>"burns", and it is literally
>90 seconds to boiling water.
>
>
>NMYB
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Teach your kids to hunt now,
>and you won't have to
>hunt for them later.


I know what you mean....

I use a cpl strips of Nascar fuel cell foam to keep the components from rattling around.

 

[stevie]

Not really new, but the Wyoming knife is a great field dressing tool.

 

[nmyotebuster]

Bob,



Here is my at the time 9.5 year old and my sister and her husband up in Colin Neblitt, we used the jetboil 3-5 times a day at a high altitude and Way cold temps to cook our MH meals.

That is a great idea I need to get me some of that foam!!.

NMYB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Teach your kids to hunt now, and you won't have to hunt for them later.

 

[1FastGambler]

Everyone has mentioned some really great things! Although It's not something I carry but is in fact a "tool". I am grateful for the drawing odds reports in MS Excel! It has allowed me to draw tags and go hunt when without it I would have not drawn the tags I normally put in for, so to me this is the #1 "tool".

"Windage & Elevation Pilgrim, Windage & Elevation"

 

[NMPaul]

>Everyone has mentioned some really great
>things! Although It's not something
>I carry but is in
>fact a "tool". I am
>grateful for the drawing odds
>reports in MS Excel! It
>has allowed me to draw
>tags and go hunt when
>without it I would have
>not drawn the tags I
>normally put in for, so
>to me this is the
>#1 "tool".
>
>"Windage & Elevation Pilgrim, Windage &
>Elevation"

Good point. Maybe the most important. Just applying correctly so that you can hunt in the fall is critical.
The odds report, hunting with different weapons,applying the whole family separately, hunting with friends all puts you in a position to go hunting in the fall.