Technology pushes the envelope for hunters

One day long ago, man realized he could kill dinner more effectively if he used a rock.

Since then, hunters have never stopped developing new ways to put meat on the table as well as trophies on the wall.

My father’s generation seemed to live through the golden years of hunting. Wildlife management had learned to stabilize wildlife populations. Sportsmen had all the efficient tools they needed for filling their tags – and plenty of places to use them.

This was the era in which hunters spent hours in camps debating the best caliber rifle for bringing down a particular game species.

Nowadays, the discussion is shifting to whether technology is killing the sport.

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission is debating several hunting technology issues in Boise today, including whether to allow modern firearms big game hunters to use scopes with lighted reticles.

Is this an issue for people with poor eyesight, or is it a big deal for hunters who like to take their shots a little before and after legal shooting hours?

Is the laser sight the next debate?

Idaho currently prohibits any electronic devices from being attached to a rifle or scope for big game hunting. Seems prudent, but not everyone agrees.

The push to modernize muzzleloaders is more disturbing, especially if you’re a hunter who adopted the weapon because you prefer the elbow room in the special muzzleloading seasons.

Muzzleloader hunts were created for hunters willing to sacrifice modern technology for exclusive seasons open only to traditional muzzle-loading hunting rifles that have limited range and reliability.

Idaho defines a traditional muzzleloader hunting rifle as using only open sights, no scope or electronic devices, loose powder, with an exposed pivoting hammer and using only nonjacketed lead or lead-alloy bullets.

Idaho wildlife managers say improvements in muzzleloader technology have already increased hunter success, resulting in reduced muzzleloader hunting opportunity.

The commission should hold the line on any gear improvements that will cause further erosion of hunting opportunity.

Washington’s wildlife commissioners already have turned down advances in muzzleloader equipment.

“The commission didn’t adopt proposals to allow the new 209 primer systems and stayed with our rule that ignition systems must be exposed to the elements,” said Lt. Richard Mann of the Fish and Wildlife Department’s hunter education division in Olympia. The commission also turned down jacketed bullets that increase range and accuracy.

“But they’re still pondering the technology issues, and they’ll be brought up again this year.

“One thing is clear,” Mann added. “If muzzleloaders become much more effective, the seasons and the areas set aside for special muzzleloader hunts could be reduced.

“And there would be safety issues to consider. It used to be that 100 yards was about as far as you would shoot a muzzleloader at game. Now we’re hearing about guys lobbing 300-yard shots. If that trend continues, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a hunter orange (clothing) requirement for muzzleloader seasons.”

Most hunters are wary of technological advances.

In Washington, “When we asked hunters what their preference was, they were very definite they would rather we outlaw equipment than shorten seasons because time in the field is so important to them,” said Dave Ware, state Fish and Wildlife Department big game manager.

In Idaho, for instance, sportsmen have asked the Fish and Game Commission to consider hunting restrictions on .50-caliber or larger centerfire cartridges. In other words, just because a gun will fire a projectile 1,000 yards, doesn’t mean you should be aiming it at an elk.

Reasonable curbs on technological advances are necessary to keep hunting on track. This is a free country and you can’t legislate ethics, but you can make laws.

Range finders might be OK, but how about heat sensors?

Remote-controlled cameras to scout game trails, mechanical decoys, electronic calls, ATVs, holographic sights and mechanical broadheads for arrows – little by little, this barrage of gear takes its toll on wildlife and forces responsible wildlife managers to curb our seasons.

Without rules, some hunters would blast off the ethical charts.

Just last year, a Texas man created an uproar with a Web site, www.Live-Shot.com, that would allow hunters to shoot exotic game animals or feral pigs on his private hunting ranch by remote control, with the click of a mouse, from anywhere in the world.

Texas outlawed the practice in one of the state’s rare moments of clarity on the sport of hunting.

It’s OK that hunting is a game for many hunters, but we all must assure that the sport remains more important than the toys.