Purity: Technology’s Impact on Hunting

Many of us don’t know the proper way of chopping down trees with an axe. Even some seasoned campers have no clue on how to get the job done! Think about it. If you take many camping or hiking trips, sildenafil it would be very beneficial to learn this very important skill just in case of a bug out situation. Don’t fret folks. Extremely-Sharp is here to show you the correct and simple method on how to chop that tree down. So grab your axe and let’s get to work!

IMPORTANT!! Let’s assume you’re chopping down a small tree that’s 12 feet tall and a trunk with a diameter between 12 to 20 inches. You want to choose a small tree because you, visit this site more than likely, will not have the proper safety equipment to cut down a much larger tree.

First, find a tree that isn’t rotten or dried out. (If a tree looks to be twisted, leave it alone. It’s drying up and branches could come down and seriously hurt you.) Once you find a healthy tree, determine which direction you want it to fall. Make sure you choose a path where it falls completely to the ground and not on other trees or obstructions.

Now let’s get the choppin’!

Chop your tree at an downward angle (about 60º) then at an upward chop (about 30º). Your goal is to create a notch in between the tree. (See picture) Once you have a deep cut that’s about halfway in the tree, start chopping directly behind the tree but slightly above the initial cut. Create a smaller notch than the one you made at first.  This will help cause the tree to fall forward and not in any other angle.

Diagram of cutting down a tree with an axe

Keep chopping till you hear the tree begin to snap. Move away from the fall and yell, “TIMBER!!” to warn others of the falling tree!

There are different methods to complete the task. Which technique is best or easiest for you? Do your think our method is best for the job? Leave a comment! Remember, SAFETY 1ST!
Many new hunters/ huntresses embrace any and all help they can get, recipe
but there are an increasing number of hunters turning their backs on modern weapons in favor of the purity of the experience offered by primitive weapons according to Field & Stream Magazine.  This begs the question: At what point does a hunt lose its purity?  Is it using a compound or crossbow vs gun?  Does one have to go further than that and shoot stick and string?  Is it the hunt for food versus the hunt for challenge?  Or do we need to go as far as fashioning our own weapons to be considered “pure hunters”?

I assume that each of you has an opinion about this so, I will share mine. I think if a hunter is working responsibly within the laws provided by their state and hunts in a fair chase environment, their hunt is pure. Anyone who hunts public land will attest to the fact that the competition for natural resources has intensified. Even the best technology available to us cannot change the way a young buck reacts in the rut, the way the rain or snow falls on the vacation days you took to hunt, or you seeing that monster buck that has haunted your trail cams and dreams since you first captured his picture two years ago only to find he is 10 yards out of your range.
That is hunting. It is unpredictable. It is exciting. It forces us to use our innate, primal skills even when surrounded by the most modern technology. Those situations are what drive us 25 feet up a tree over and over, more often than not with the same result- a cold morning taking in the sunrise over our well tended food plots and more enjoying God’s creation in all its glory… except that monster buck, of course.

Like any other sport, there is a clear cut winner and loser. All good athletes prepare, practice, watch film, research. Do you honestly think that Usain Bolt would pass up the opportunity to train on a high speed treadmill in preference for running on a dirt road? What about those of us who are not full time athletes or hunters? What about those of us who only have a limited time we are able to be in the woods and want to make the most of it- to fill the freezer or to become a member of the Boone & Crockett Club. What type of advantages will current technology provide? In this current technology driven environment it almost seems like if you can imagine it, you can find it. From preparation, to the hunt and even in sharing your harvest, technology has permeated every facet of the outdoor sports. I will not promise to hit on everything available, but I will tell you the types of things that are easily accessible or reasonable in price (some of which we use on our lease) as well as give you a peek at my current wish list! Please note this will be from the focus of prepping for a whitetail hunt since that is the season we are currently in here in Oklahoma. This does not mean that the available technology is limited just to this season of hunting.

Prepping for the Hunt  
SmartScouterScouting & Setting Up Shop (Stand or Blind Placement)- Knowing where to place your stand, box or blind is one of the biggest keys to success in hunting in my opinion. Maybe that is why the trail camera is one of the most commonly used pieces of current technology in hunting. You have the ability to set up cameras and see what is happening over a period of time, where your highest levels of traffic are and what type of animal is using the well tread path you just found without having to identify scat or half missing tracks. This is not only a great prep opportunity, but also great for safety. They also allow you to capture animals year over year and determine which should be culled from the herd versus those that should walk another year or so. We like to call that our Hit List. There are many types of camera up to and including cameras that automatically text or e-mail pictures from the camera to you in the comfort of your living room (or office). The benefit of this is the ability to avoid unsettling the area you are hoping to hunt by walking in and out switching out SD cards. The biggest drawback is the current cost- there is the initial investment of the camera, the activation fee and then monthly fee along with MMS charges for your wireless carrier if you have them texted to you. There are also some limitations to the range of the devices that are still being worked out.
We could talk stands or box/ground blinds in this section as well with the advancements that have been made. From crazy light stow and go tree stands that use the same technology being used by our military to the ground blinds being made from scent/noise/shine reducing material, these tools have made significant advancements for comfort and quick placement.
Hanging FeederGrocery Bill (Feeders & Feed)- Once you have found that perfect spot and positioned your stands you have to decide if you want to depend on the woods to provide as they have for many years or if you want to use feeders. If yes, you have plenty of options- you can “chum” the stand by simply throwing a pile of corn in the middle of the field or you can purchase a feeder. The technology of feeders has advanced from the simple stand feeders to hanging feeders that can be set to go off at a specific time and powered by solar panels. The hanging feeder does require a bit more investment but can save money in the long run as it is not as easily destroyed if you have animals other than deer in your hunting territory. The solar panels are another investment this huntress would recommend. It is better for the environment and for your pocketbook.
Once you picked out your feeder, you need to decide the type of feed you will be using. There are a ton of products that promise to draw in more deer or to grow a bigger, better deer. From the popular brands to different attractants and even food plotting, you have to do your research. Investing in quality feed, forages and quality information can be the difference between an unfruitful spend of your hard earned dollars and the ability to watch that monster buck browse a manicured food source, specifically if you have spatial constraints. Your Department of Wildlife is generally a good source of this type of information but technology definitely gives us the edge here (from access to better process of creating supplements to more knowledge about what to put out for these animals).
By the Light of the Moon (GPS/ Solunar Apps)- This is one of my favorite things. For safety reasons, I have a shared app with my husband that marks my exact coordinates and it also gives the forecast and a solunar update. It is a great starting point, especially when hunting with children to know the best times to be in the stand. A free and very useful app called Mossy Oak that contains these tools can be downloaded onto your smartphone. Understand this will not work if you have no cell signal in the woods. Mine literally only works when I am in the tree stand, so I carry a separate GPS for safety. In the event that I get turned around in my walk in or out of the stand, I have a guide that I do not have to shimmy up a tree to use.
Jen’s Wishlist: If I had to pick just one item that I am not currently using out of the Prep section, it would be a SmartScouter or BuckEye wireless camera.  
On the Hunt
Her Non ScentsSmell it Like You Mean It (Scent Free Products)- This might be one area that has really helped the bow hunter. Being within 50 yards of your prey adds an additional challenge. Utilizing the scent free formulas and attire available might just add an edge that keeps you from being nosed right out of a good hunt. There are a large variety of scent free toiletries on the market from the huntress friendly Her Non Scents made just for us gals to the old standbys like Dead Down Wind. In addition to scent free products pre-hunt, utilizing hunting gear with scent blocking technology may also add an advantage. These now come in a range of prices that make it more manageable for all levels of hunter to obtain.
Staying Toasty in the Tree (Therma)- Deer season comes at a time of year here in OK where the weather will fluctuate from needing early season gear to needing cold weather gear. The warmer I am able to stay, the longer I am able to stay in the stand and hunt. I made certain to invest in a quality base layer that was made of a wicking fabric, heavy wool socks and insulated boots. I also purchased a 3-in-1 convertible coat so that I could layer as I needed. I almost always have Hot Hands in my boots and pockets. I even have a hat that has a set of pockets to hold warmers. There are also a few very cool (or HOT) products out right now that make a very large difference. ThermaCELL ThermaCELL has a pair of heated insoles that will fit inside just about any hunting boot. There are several brands that make lightweight but effective base layers specific to cold weather that are made with thinsulate or other cold weather technology. There are even heated coats and coveralls like the Heater Body Suit that one could purchase if they had the funds and the want.
Paparazzi (Video Cameras)- Gone are the days of the “one that got away” stories. Videoing hunts is now more of a norm than not. You can purchase mounts for your stand, hat or even a thing called the iScope that turns your iPhone into a scope for your gun or bow and a filming device at the same time.
Weaponry (Guns, Bows, Pistols/ Knives)- This is another area where technology has provided some amazing advances. There are rifles that can shoot further than ever before. There are scopes that can make that high powered rifle deadly accurate in the right hands. Smokeless powder, inlines, and saboted slugs are all available at most major outdoor sports retailers. If you are a bow hunter, the technology continues to become more lethal as products become more lightweight. While there is a common misconception that crossbows can shoot an arrow at roughly the same speed as a bullet, this is not true. That being said, the speed is about 1/8 as fast- much closer than a recurve bow. There are advantages such as Lumenoks, beacon wired broadheads and even the newer carbon fiber arrows add an advantage. The materials our compound and crossbows are made of are increasingly lighter and easier to carry or hold for longer terms.
Following the Blood Trail- This may sound a little CSI but it is sure to be a fan favorite for anyone who has ever flung an arrow and spent hours tracking but not recovered their harvest before dark… blood trail detecting lights.
Jen’s Wishlist – Her Non Scents products, Heater Body Suit, and iScope. 

The Trophy 
Salt RightsJealousy is a Dish Best Served Warm- One of the best feelings after actually finding that harvest in the form of a monster buck or a doe big enough to fill your freezer for months to come is being able to share that with fellow sportsmen and women. Admit it, we all want to brag a little about putting a “BBD” (big buck down) and we love to rub it in when we know our friends are at work by sending out those #TST (tree stand tweets). We text/ Facebook/ Tweet/ Instagram pictures as swiftly as possible for all to see. In my opinion, one of the coolest apps out there is Salt Rights. It harnesses the power of social media to expand our campfire stories of the hunt from one fire ring to an entire community of avid hunters and anglers. It is currently in the Beta test stage and the Hot Huntress staff had the good fortune of being on the test team. We are hooked (pun intended). Salt Rights has created an app that is expected to socially enhance the hunt experience by allowing all hunters & anglers easy access to share their successes in the moment with their peers in an online trophy room per COO Alex Friedberg. The only thing better than sharing our trophy harvest is having respected peers give us a virtual pat on the back. Salt Rights does just that. Instant access to “AIM. CLICK. SHARE.” While the team completes the app, you may visit their website www.saltrights.com and reserve your username as well as review some of what this fantastic app has to offer you. My favorite is the virtual trophy room- a place I am able to share my harvests with others who understand the focus, time, and energy that went into the moment captured in that picture.
Another interesting online phenomenon is #HuntChat on Twitter. HuntChat is a weekly one hour chat that brings together a community of outdoorsmen and women to discuss trending topics in the hunting industry. Topics range from taking our children hunting to environmental impacts on the hunt. This community of hunters is an open forum where novices are able to ask questions of seasoned outdoorsmen. If you are on Twitter and want to connect with fellow outdoorsmen, join #HuntChat at 9PM EST on Sundays.
So, as you can see, there is just about as much technology as there is money that you want to spend. Most of us are not capable of purchasing the very new technology and some of it may even be beyond things you would be willing to use in the woods. That being said, even the use of a few key and reasonably priced items allows for less time wasted for those of us who are not afforded the ability to hunt for a living, it increases our safety and all the while you are still required to increase your technique and ability in order to get your harvest. The most fantastic part of the outdoor sports is that the rules are well defined and outside of that, each participant is able to make of it what they want. Maybe that is what makes it so special to so many people- its application across socioeconomic lines and the knowledge that even with the most advance technology out there, Mother Nature has a great way of evening the playing field!

 

Tell us what you think of the hunting technology mentioned in this article, in the comments below!

 

 

 

About The Author
- Jennifer Shultz, Wife. Mom. Shiner of the Light. Huntress with a passion for writing & encouraging people from all walks of life to enjoy outdoor sports. ProStaff for Hot Huntress. Special Issue Writer for Lady Hunter Magazine. A Voice for Disabled Hunters.

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