Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

What do you think we will look back on in 10 years and say. I can't believe I used to do that? Or use that.

Like overdraws and super short arrows and things like that.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Bowtech LOL just messin...

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Good Question:

I look back on when I started hunting 1995/1996. The one thing I wouldn't use today would be non-fiber optic sights. I remember painting my pins with fluorescent orange, yellow and red paint. Brass pins that must have been 1/32-1/16 of an inch wide. LOL

I would like to see in the next 10 years, a replacement product for the range finder. Maybe glasses that wherever you looked, gave you a yardage. That would be sweet.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I would like to see in the next 10 years, a replacement product for the range finder. Maybe glasses that wherever you looked, gave you a yardage. That would be sweet.

I really think u have got a winner there, that sounds like a real good idea!

As far as ten years from now i am gonna say were gonna look at the bows that are being produced today and laugh! The other thing will be 35mm trail cameras!(I still use one) HA! Wow this is gonna be a good post i just cant think of any right now!

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Carbon clothing!

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Good Post:

I remember having the mongoose sights on my PSE, it didn't have a guard, Ipainted the tips and my bow was so out of tune that my pins did not line up evenly. I also had this big heavy overdraw, shooting arrows that were short little telephone poles.

I also used to wear 100%cotton long underwear, I would work up a sweat to my stand and then wonder why I was freezing an our later. I would get home at night and I would still be wet.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

The deerview mirror!:D:D:D

I remember when I first started out I would wear an armguard everytime I shot. Glad I learned proper form.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

When I started this archery addiction back in 1997 I shot a little browning youth bow set at 40lbs some little 1916 easton arrows, non fiber optic sights, no scent elimination, one treestand.........but hey I even killed deer with that setup and right now I look back and that think "how the hell did i do that" lol

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I look back and say......" I can't believe I was actually HAPPY shooting a doe....." :D[&:]

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

The prices of the equipment have changed quit a bit. The price we pay for modern technology![:@]

Now you're talking mobo.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

The glasses sound like a great idea!

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

My first bow, a Browning Bushmaster! What a toy,especially compared to today's bows.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I remember when
getting permission to bowhunt was pretty easy.
buying a dozen new arrows and almost all of them were straight(aluminum)
hunting on public land and hardly seeing anyone
shooting fingers instead of a release
using 40% and 50% letoff compound bows, even had a 25% letoff one
using sights without pin guards
Trebark was all the rage in camo
not seeing a deer sometimes after a hunt, now I am disappointed when I don't see any every time out.
And...............I remember when I used to remember more.[&:]

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

who remembers the T pins??? :D

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Remember them, I still have my old Golden Eagle Pro Turbo with an overdraw and TM Hunter rest and aCobra site with T Pins on it. They were the hotness back in the day.

Ten years from now after all of the whitetail commercialization dies down and the fair weather bowhunters disappear all of us die hards will be saying "Man remember when all of those d-bags were running around the woods playing hunter." I'm actually looking forward to that.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I hunted for whitetails for the first time in 2005 with a Mathews Switchback.

If it gets any easier than it is, now.....I won't do it. I'm blessed with good populations....but I'm already seeking new challenges with the bow. Maybe a Pronghorn? Elk? The turkey is a worthy adversary......but I'm not sure the season's long enough for me to keep me SUPER interested in hunting only them.

I'm gonna get a longbow/recurve and try my hand at that when I get the herd in control, here.

I change my mind about which animals to pursue with every few weeks it seems. I'll be glad when I narrow it down to one true passion (animal to pursue).......or ....maybe not.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I see the loss of private hunting land in my area. I believe public land may be next big thing for me. And I have started to video some hunts. That is a major change from just hunting.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I started at age 3 in 1955, 13 years before Allen patented the compound archery device. Killed my first hog at age 10. Weren't any huntable deer around in my neck of the woods back then.

I can't count the changes I've been witness to. Some I like. Some I detest. Some are, I think, absolutely stupid.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I had an old Pearson bow that had t-pins on it. Thank God time have changed.:D

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Ahigh fence that let the deer in and out, but still kept out dogs and tresspassers would be nice.

Or a supplemental feed that squirrels, turkeys and hogs wouldn't touch...maybe something that specifically targeted horn growth...but we are getting there already.

How about chameleon camoflauge....something that recognises the patterns and colors of whats behind you and projects it to the front. If they can put a million mirrors on a tiny square for an HD TV...then they can do it to a hunting garment too...

I also want a blue lumenock.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

My biggest thing thats gonna change is hunting locations...

Ive been wasting my time w/ spots others have always hunting and hung stands... I've learned a great deal about food supplies, travel corridors, and timing... Hopefully this year I'll change enough to kill some monsters!

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Alot of good replies. I have only been hunting for a few years... when I started overdraws were a pretty big deal. Never did talk to parents into getting me one :) I think quick spins will kinda lose the hype in those that believe in them so much.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I think they already have. Thats IMO though.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Everyone has come up with a lot of good ones from the past. I think back and can remember hunting an entire bow season on public ground, private ground, everywhere and not seeing another bowhunter. No one was doing it when I started. You couldn't find any equipment anywhere either.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Well Ive seen so many changes since Ive started bow hunting back in the late 70's. One thing I really wish would change is the way the younger bowhunters look at hunting today. I mean everyone is looking at the hot rod bows and how they have to have one to keep up with the next guy. It must be a material thing. I dont know for sure. It seems the younger hunters think they have to have the most expensive piece of equipment out there. They think they all have to shoot releases. Things are too easy anymore. When I began hunting a release was almost unheard of. Now everyone thinks they are such a great shooter because they shoot the all mighty release. I say all need to learn how to shoot traditional. But anymore this is just a blast from the past. I understand the times have changed, but younger hunters are losing site of how things were done years ago. We still killed deer with a bow years ago, but had to work hard for them. Now theres so much techonology that things are much simpiler than years past. Now we have feeders and trail cams. We had to learn the deer patterns years ago. We worked at it, scouted all the time. Now its let me set up a trail cam and get on line and check my pics and see what Ive got on film. Hunters have lost sight at the real goal. Feeding our familys was a top priority. Now its lets see what trophy deer walks in front of my camera. No work at all. Before long we will have a GPS tracking every deer in the woods. To be honest that is hogwash. Get out and find the deer and make it sporting again. Its getting to where hunting isnt much of a challenge anymore. That in itself is sad. There are too many lazy hunters. Dont get me wrong I love seeing the trail cam pics and all that stuff. But sooner or later all the technology will come back and bite us in the ass. So before some of you jump down my throat about what Ive said, think back to generations before you are wonder how hunting has evolved. Its getting to easy anymore... thats my opinion and Im sticking to it...

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

It's nothing at all like the old days when your treestand was a couple of boards nailed into the crotch of a tree. Ain't that right, Dave?;)

I've got an old Bear bow quiver that I've had since I was a youngster. Two pieces of rubber that clamped around your recurve's limbs with arrow grippers molded into them. Made before they came up with the broadhead hood idea. It was pretty easy to poke yourself in the leg with a few broadheads if you tripped. And no, I haven't used it in many years. I keep it for the memories.

I still prefer plaid shirts with big, open squares for hunting. Green and black for early, brown and tan for late season. No problem with 'blobbing out' like most of this newfangled designer camo does. A heckuva lot less expensive than designer camo too.;)

In many ways, I agree with Arrowmaster. I think technology has opened up bowhunting to a whole mess of people who have no business playing with sharp sticks. But then, I think back on some of the people I knew in the old days and... Well, many of them had no business playing with sharp sticks either.[&:] At least the new technology makes for enough power that, with a little luck, a bad shot might still result in a quick kill.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I remember the brass pins you had to paint, and 30-50% letoff bows, and the fact that I only knew of 1 other person that hunted with a bow. For your average bowhunter it was definitely a short range game, years ago when I started. I shot that crusty old bow of mine untill just a few years ago, didn't really realize how much different the new ones were. I went from that to a new Bowtech, and I just could not believe a bow could feel/shoot like that.

I think that as the technology behind equipment gets stronger, more of what I call the "true" archers will go traditional. I know that statement will probably get me in hot water, but so be it. I don't think I want a better compound than what I have now. Mine will shoot every bit as far/fast/consistent as I want it to. I bowhunt to enjoy the thrill of getting close. I hunt on the plains, and have lots of rifles that will reach WAAAAAY out there, but the whole reason for a bow was to get close. I am already looking at trad bows, and see myself going there soon. It used to be that primitive weapons were just that, but not any more. The bows/muzzle loaders have gotten just as technologically advanced as their modern counterparts, and to me are loosing the thrill of the primitive weapons they are intended to be.

But my opinion will not stop the innovations, and should not stop them. At what point will the innovations in bows hit a wall? Rifles, and their capabilities, have not significantly changed in the last 50 years. The technology is mature. Bows are rapidly reaching that point, IMO. Where I think things will really change is in the gadgetry that accompanies bowhunting, the accessories and such.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

Arrowmaster, I've got a lot of respect for guys like you and Davidmil, and ArthurP who have been playing this game for a long time. I started bowhunting just before the big technology boom. My first bow was a Bear Whitetail hunter, and I longed for one of those fancy "two wheeled bows." I have to disagree with you a little bit on the trail cam thing taking all of the work out of hunting. First of all, you need to know where to hang the trail cam to get pictures of deer. If you just hang a camera randomly in the woods you're not likely to get many pictures. If you use food to draw deer to the camera, you still have to know that the deer will pass by there to find the food.

Now, I don't use trail cams that much for scouting. When I find a new area I put boots on the ground and find where the deer are feeding and bedding and the trails that connect the dots. Then I set up my observation stands and adjust from there. I would like to use some trail cameras, but in a lot of locations it would be just putting a couple of $100 bills on a tree for someone to take.

I see what you are saying about the trend in bowhunting, and if you read my previous post on this thread you'll see I'm thinking on the same lines as you. Right now, it is a fad and a cool thing to do to bowhunt. It strikes and elitist chord in many guys and is a way for them to prove their manhood and buy the greatest gear, and coolest camo. I honestly believe that in ten years most of these guys will get bored with this fad and pick their golf clubs back up, or move onto the next cool "man" thing to do. When this happens I know I'll still be out in the woods hunting, God willing, and guys like you and Davidmil, and ArthurP will be too.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

i think i will look in 10 years and say, 315 fps......thats it

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

technology has made compound hunting ridiculously easy compared to the equipment I started with 20 years ago

what will be in the future ? 400 fps, 2 pound compound, 99% letoff the norm, technology will continue to make bowhunting less of a short range challenge and more into a long range shoot out that removes much of what bowhunting is

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I think everyone is right about how technology will continue to provide opportunity for an "easier" hunt; longer range, higher let off, etc. But just because you can do something, that doesn't mean you have to do it.

I started bowhunting in part because I found that shooting deer with a rifle was too easy, there wasn't enough of a challenge for me, nothing against those who do. Just because I'll be able to buy a bow that can shoot an arrow half a mile like a laser, that doesn't mean I will.

I think that there will always be hunters that enjoy the challenge enough to create a niche in the market for the current level (or below) of bows, like the traditional bows today. My .02.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I'm with Hunting Ed,

I used to hunt worthless stands, didn't spend the time to do things myself, just sat in the same burned out stands in the same old area. Now I have a new place to hunt, lots of different stands for different situations and just do a lot more prep work.

HuntingBry,

You sound a little elitist yourself. ;) I get your point though. All of the hunting catalogs now are like half archery. In the past, when I didn't bowhunt, I would skip the 2 pages devoted to archery in the catalog. There is some truth to the fact that it is becoming the "cool" way to hunt, but I still think for the majority of the new hunters out there it is not the reason they took up bowhunting.

If you met me casually you might think that I picked up bowhunting b/c its trendy or whatever, but that is wrong. I did it because I grew up shooting a bow for fun (not deer hunting), its exciting, I get a whole lot more deer season (an extra month and 1/2), my dad has done it successfully and I get to hunt with him. I don't think a lot of new guys are getting in as a fad (although some are and they probably will quit doing it after a couple of unsuccessful seasons). The better technology and the long bow seasons are mostly pushing it and what is causing some of the problems. It is easier now to shoot a consistent, fast and quiet bow. Some guys are bowhunting that probably shouldn't (no practice) b/c they like to hunt and it gives them another month in the woods.

RE: Changes since you have started and what will change?
 

I know I'm only 28 but I've been archery hunting for the last 16 years and have seen my share of changes as well. Most of which have been already stated in overdraws, copper pins and lincoln log arrows. I think some of the biggest changes will occur not in the equipment but in the land we hunt. I think as the population grows there will be less and less private land to hunt thus forcing hunters onto public land. This will then result in a need for signup sheets as to the date and time you plan on being there in order to prevent over crowding. I don't see this happening in the next 10 years but I bet that before I die it will come to this. At least here in south central Pa.

As far as technology making it easier such as longer shots I think it's all relative. 16 years ago everyone was happy with a nice group at 20 yards and most wouldn't take a shot in the woods over 30. Today, a lot of people I talk to won't take a shot over 40. 15 years from now I'm sure the magic number will be 50. The problem is that at least where I hunt there is literally only one lane I can see 40 yards so even if I could shoot 1" groups at 100 yards it wouldn't make a difference. Besides, I first have to find the deer, then set up the correct stand, then be in the proper position to even draw my bow and finally actually draw it all the while remaining undetected. Pulling the trigger or releasing the string is probably the easiest part of getting a deer when you think about it. Thus, making bows shoot farther actually only improves the easiest part of the hunt leaving 85% of the challenge unchanged. This is just my 2 cents.;)