Primitive Weapons Ain't So Primitive Anymore....

[baldopepper]

Guess are grandkids will go out with AI generated guns that will automatically range, adjust and fire for you. All you'll have to do is hold it up
Who knows, might even show you the score of the buck or bull and ask if you want it.  Guns we're using now will have a special.primitive.weapons season.

[blackymaster20]

I don't think it increases success much at all. I had originally though my areas would be flooded with more muzzy hunters after this passed. Have yet to see one person since opener. The weapon is only one part of the equation. You still have to get out and hunt your butt off. We need to stop complaining and encourage people to go out and hunt hard. Doesn't matter what weapon you use. It's not like muzzy guys are hunting elk in September.

[wadu1]

Guess are grandkids will go out with AI generated guns that will automatically range, adjust and fire for you. All you'll have to do is hold it up
Who knows, might even show you the score of the buck or bull and ask if you want it.  Guns we're using now will have a special.primitive.weapons season.

Reminds me of one of Pat Mcmanus stories I'll never forget Old 5789-A from his book "A Fine and Plesant Misery".

[Boss .300 winmag]

Poachers, predators, and habitat are a much bigger problem than the weapons allowed.😉

[Caseknife]

The bull I killed opening morning was at 56 yards, red dot sight made no difference.  The goat I killed in September was the same, 50 yards.  If you are inclined to shoot far at animals, then I guess more technology helps, but if your method of hunting is to get as close to the animal as possible, technology doesn't change much.

[northwesthunter84]

I definitely noticed fewer archery hunters this year. But I still think the overall numbers are going to be in line with previous seasons. Some shift should be expected but I don’t think it will affect overall numbers.
One thing I missed because I haven’t hunted it in a while Willipa Hills late elk shifted to 3 point only, no cow season. Guess numbers hit objective or are actually lower. I am surprised by that loss of opportunity.

[Platensek-po]

Dudes driving around for days on end and using atvs to hunt but a red dot on a muzzle loader is the end of hunting. Lololol. Guys are even on this site complaining that they can’t drive around the same areas natives can. Sad. That’s what technology has brought us. More and more lazy people who think that driving around is “getting outdoors”.

[h2ofowlr]

Trail cameras and bait piles are a bigger issue than 1x optic on a smoke pole.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Most hunters I know who have been in the game more than 20 years would gladly trade the technologies of today for the critter populations of 20 years ago. The problem isn't tech, it's lack of management to keep up with the tech.

I can tell you from the archery side, you have to go no wheels to lose any advantage IMO. I bought my first brand new bow in 01, 7 pin sight, drop away rest, carbon arrow, release etc.... and had been shooting similar setup on a 97 bow as well. While bow and arrow setups have increased significantly as far as power and precision and the laser rangefinder  and sliding sights dangle a carrot that your effective range is X, the truth is regsrdless of what your cousins stepmoms boyfriend or Bowmar tells you, until that arrow can break the sound barrier, or the bow can draw itself, vertical bow  archery will remain a close range sport. Handheld ranging and sliding pins only add precision, rarely distance for bowhunters  being honest about their shots.    ( rangefinding sights would be a major gamechanger imo, and every hunter should oppose that tech in archery seasons in the west).

My only real experience with a muzzy was back in the hawken caplock and early inline days. I watched a young buck absorb multiple all lead sabots and was in disbelief a jacketed round was illegal after seeing it. After experiencing a fire rate of sub 80 percent on a good day with the inline, that was all I needed to know. At least my bow goes off when I pull the trigger. I have never fired a muzzy at a critter and haven't kept up with tech. I understand they are significantly more lethal ( a good thing) as well as reliable and easier to setup and shoot. ( possible catch 22)

Everything is solved with increased ungulate populations. If im seeing 50 deer a day, and a good buck to doe ratio, I could care less if there's bears, cougars, wolves, or other hunters in an area, if a hunter shoots a buck at a grand with a 28 nosler a hundred with a bow or 250 with his red dot muzzy it's not as big of a deal.

25 years ago road hunting was much more popular, atv trails were punched around almost every gate I hunted behind. It was illegal and it annoyed my buddys that it didn't really bother me a bit, because there were animals for those guys to chase and the hunting methods they employed did not cross into my sphere. Now the area I used to access are the only areas with any critters and pressure is very high.  Access is more restricted for sure, but loss of critters is the primary reason for the pressure increase.

Restrictions are a band aid to suffering populations, no way are they even close to a cure.  Allowing more tech is good for recruiting possibly but does little for retention long term. I agree with whoever posted about the ballot box is the best thing you can do. Encourage any liberal hunters you know to vote conservative if they want a fighting chance at turning this boat around specifically in this state.

[pianoman9701]

I definitely noticed fewer archery hunters this year. But I still think the overall numbers are going to be in line with previous seasons. Some shift should be expected but I don’t think it will affect overall numbers.
One thing I missed because I haven’t hunted it in a while Willipa Hills late elk shifted to 3 point only, no cow season. Guess numbers hit objective or are actually lower. I am surprised by that loss of opportunity.

Early archery in 560 and 572 both went 3-point only this year as well.

[HntnFsh]

Yep, I have a buddy that him, his 2 sons and his dad all 4 tagged out this year with muzzleloader.  He said it's the first time ever they have all taken bulls.  Usually, they get one bull in they are lucky, and maybe a cow if one of them is drawn. He said the 1x scopes are a game changer.

Modern muzzleloaders are basically a modfern rifle nowadays.  First it was inlines, then it was pelletized powders, then it was 209 modern ignitions, then it was fiber optic sights, then it was sabots, then it was jacketed bullets, then it was closed breech to keep the nipple/primer out of the elements, now it's 1x scopes. Archery has seen some of the same types of technological timelines on their side.

We need to start going backwards and put some of the restrictions back on. 

Gary

They didnt get 4 critters because of red dots. They got 4 critters because they were in the right place at the right time. Most hunters dont even get 4 opportunities at an elk, let alone see 4 different legal bulls in a season. At least on the west side. Spike units on the east side may be different. I dont know.

We have had seasons where we are into a lot of bulls or had a lot of success. It was because of hard work, long hours, due diligence, and luck. That was with open sights.

We  can complain about the modernization of "Primitive Weapons" but we also have to look at the advancement of modern firearms and optics also. Shooting light starts earlier and stays later. Distances can be dialed or held over with minimal effort or knowledge. Modernization affects everything.

[Bearhunter308]

There are many things that affect harvests. I would say that it's possible that with newer technology, there may be slightly higher harvest numbers (and I have no data to indicate that either way) but fewer lost animals (a number not included in any data). This is exemplified in the debate over lighted nocks several years ago. We have no way of knowing how many more critters have been recovered because of that advanced technology which were previously lost. I would venture to say that advanced tech may possibly have a positive effect on herd numbers. You know what has a definite negative effect? The three Ps: Poaching, Predators, and some of the People on the Commission.

 

[boneaddict]

As I stated, technology as a whole, not just one thing.

I get a kick out of those that don't think the red dot increases your success.  If you didn't think it would why would you put it on your muzzelloader?  because you think it looks cool?   LOL
I mean I get redirection or arguing for something you want to keep so you can be successful but be real.


The title of the thread isn't HUNTWA killed hunting.    Could be.   I'm sure it or the likes of it amoung a dozen other things.  Its a wonder there are any animals left. 

[NOCK NOCK]

Dudes driving around for days on end and using atvs to hunt but a red dot on a muzzle loader is the end of hunting. Lololol. Guys are even on this site complaining that they can’t drive around the same areas natives can. Sad. That’s what technology has brought us. More and more lazy people who think that driving around is “getting outdoors”.

“Lazy” people” SMH

Not ALL folks are young, and or able bodied.
You too will be there some day……until then, how bout not complaining about how others hunt 

[2MANY]

"cousins stepmoms boyfriend"

I always wondered if we was related.