We're Already Computerizing Hunting

Some developments in hunting and fishing technology have me concerned. We fight off the anti-hunters and animal rights activists with the argument that our recreation is a tradition, a return to the land, a way to match wits with our prey.

So what the hell is technology doing in our sport?

It's not just the recent flap over the Website that offered the chance to log in and remotely blast the big one. Thank goodness hunters had the sense to express their outrage over living room hunting. But how hypocritical is the condemnation when the silicon chip is already becoming the silver bullet.

Digital trail cameras relieve us of the chores of tracking and scouting. They also take the fun and fair chase out of hunting. Underwater view cameras and fish finders show us right where the fish are swimming. We don't have to find land points, dropoffs or water depths.

The GSM Digital Scouting Camera is a motion-activated camera that has a video-out jack and cable for viewing images on the Stealth Cam TV monitor. It is even solar compatible. Cabela's advertises prices so low you can afford multiple units for all of your stands. Why, you don't even have to go into the woods, except to set up and retrieve the cameras.

Upload the images to your home PC and you nail down the right spot and the right time to nail the "Tirty-point Buck."

Oh I confess, I get lazy sometimes and use my boat's sonar unit to keep me on Salmon and Walleye, but I can't see what fish are down there or what they are doing. It could be a big ol' Carp laying on the bottom.

The Aqau-Vu underwater camera Website proclaims: "These days, (named proponents of changing fishing to catching) insist on seeing what’s really down there! They’re learning more than ever — and finding and catching more fish! — thanks to their Aqua-Vu Underwater Viewing Systems."

No more trial and error, gaining experience after numerous trips to the water, and guessing which lure is best. Any newby can limit out.

This incorporation of technology into outdoor recreation has to have an effect on our game stocks. If technology allows hunters and anglers to harvest and catch more, the rate of the game's ability to reproduce or the game managers' budget to stock becomes critical. Just like punt guns drove ducks and geese down to disastrous levels, this new technology opens the cupboard door to a new market hunter.

Most sportsmen believe in fair chase and many of our laws are written with fair chase in mind. This does not sound like fair chase to me.