"personal gratification" I think is the key to what you said. I think in a lot of ways things have become easy and will continue to get easier in the hunting world. I'm with you 100% and pressing the pause button and if anything heading the other way. It's easy to get caught up in the technology and opportunities that are provided to make it "easier".

For me having someone scout the deer out for me, set up a shooting hut, drive me out to that shooting hut, point their finger, shoot a deer with my high powered rifle that can shoot 300 yards seems a bit.............. well ...... not like hunting. For others maybe that's what they're into....... so be it. To each their own. Goes back to personal gratification. For me, I'd get more gratification hunting and killing a spike with my bow.

Where do you draw the line is a good question. Treestands, tinks, grunt tubes, camo, 80% letoff bows, compound or recurve, release or fingers, scopes, rifles, etc...... its' endless. Personal preference and how much you want to take advantage of all the gadgets and still feel like you're "hunting".

I give myself enough equipment and technology available to succeed in my expectations with my hunting ability. Hopefully someday I'll be out there with a spear and loin cloth.[:-]