Orvis and Hunting Tools for Combatants?

[Double Naught Spy]

Okay, so I received the new Orvis "The Hunting Book" catalog. They have some cool stuff. On page 60 is a Brunton Summit Atmorpheric Data Center (ADC) which is a little weather data gizmo. It is described as an irreplaceible sportsman's tool. It does things like being a compass, altitude, wind speed, temperature, yaddy yaddy yaddy. You can even submerge it (but it doesn't register in the water). In the picture, the ADC is shown registering altitude. Now, I don't know what sportsmen do at the altitude shown because there is no animal hunting, skiing, hiking or anything like that available. Depicted in the image is the altitude of 29035 feet. About the only hunting at that altitude is of airplanes. Of course, Orvis does not seem to be selling the supplemental air supply that is needed at that alititude.

 

[EVIL5LITER]

What does any of that information have to do with hunting?

 

[Art Eatman]

Well, it points out an example of what some marketers think a "hunter" will buy if he's told it's indispensable to his success.

Robert Ruark's grandfather referred to that sort of hunter as "Mr. Abercrombie & Fitch".

, Art

 

[Sam]

Actually, I handled a little gadget like that last year, testing out some goodies from the ChaeTac folks.

You plugs it into your computer and it will plot hold over/off corrections for you. It is hunting gear. If you are hunting people at 2 miles.

Sam

 

[Art Eatman]

Huntin' people? I dunno. I keep reading that the season is closed, but there must be a lot of poaching goin' on.

Trouble is, you try to shoot the leader and turn the herd, and they don't turn. They just stand around making a bunch of racket. PITA behavior. One thing for sure, there's a lot of them. I sorta doubt they'll ever be an endangered species.

I hear tell they don't dress out all that good, which makes it a waste of time and effort.

(signed)

Bucky

 

[Double Naught Spy]

What does any of that information have to do with hunting?

The gizmo was being offered in the hunting catalog from Orvis. Some hunters like to have a good understanding of the immediate environmental conditions so as to set up their shots appropriately. I just found it hugely amusing that an item being sold as a hunting tool is being shown operating at nearly 7000 feet above the highest peak above sea level and where no animals naturally inhabit with the possible exceptions of some insects and micro-organisms. The only other things up there are people in planes.

 

[Sam]

Much as it displeases me, it appears that there is an open season in a couple of palces. Let us all hope that situation changes very soon.

Double Naught Spy,
I cannot see any reason why a hunter would need that kind of information.
A person who snipes at game as opposed to one who hunts might have a use for one, but I suspect thaey are rare too. I will make a broad statement and say that MOST (like 98%) of those who snipe at game don't have the skill to utilize one. So long as the retailer and manufacturer can convince the public they need 'em, they will sell.

Sam

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Some hunters apparently do want such information about the local environment for a variety of reasons, but none are going to be using the gizmo at 29000 feet.

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

Well, I use an altimeter frequently when hunting. I was mighty peeved when I found out it topped out at 8000 feet when I was scouting bighorn country (No, I didn't get a tag. Yet.).

I can see walking into a hunting friendly store and demanding a better altimeter. "If I want to hunt yeti on Everest, by gosh I want to know the altitude!" Imagine how embarassing it would be if you had a tag for Everest, but actually were on K2.

I just found it hugely amusing that an item being sold as a hunting tool is being shown operating at nearly 7000 feet above the highest peak above sea level and where no animals naturally inhabit with the possible exceptions of some insects and micro-organisms.

Just as I find it amusing, and sad, that hunters will buy a rifle or scope or rangefinder with a 800 yard effective range, when they haven't successfully shot beyond 200 yards and have no intention of trying.

 

[griz]

I usually hunt near the coast. I guess I'm about 29,000 feet too low to be..... What's the word that means tactical for a hunter? Is it Xtreme, or just plain cool?

 

[Camjr]

It gives the hunter something to piddle with while sitting in their tree stand wondering where the big buck is that made all the scrapes!

 

[Sunray]

"...only hunting at that altitude is..." The Everest Yeti. Costs $70,000US to Nepal just to be there.

 

[Camjr]

...I wonder what the taxidermy fee would be on a yeti? How cool would that look over the fireplace?

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I used to really like Orvis stuff. However, over the years they tend to be moving away from hard use stuff.

I prefer Filson for the most part anymore.

 

[mtnbkr]

I used to really like Orvis stuff. However, over the years they tend to be moving away from hard use stuff.

The Orvis store in Roanoke, Va (the only one I've visited) is 1/3 flyfishing gear and 2/3 clothing and gifts.

Chris

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

I wonder what the taxidermy fee would be on a yeti? How cool would that look over the fireplace?

Nah. Full body mount in the front hallway. Provides a little zest to the door-to-door salesman's life. "No, I don't want a vacuum. If you don't go away, I'll sic Fido here on you."

 

[jaysouth]

Mr. Eatman,

Which book by Robert Ruark?

 

[Art Eatman]

"The Old Man And The Boy" and the sequel, "The Old Man's Boy Grows Older".

They're from Ruark's monthly columns in (?) Sports Afield (or Field & Stream, I disremember) back in the 1940s/1950s.

Autobiographical of his early years, hunting and fishing with his grandfather.

You'll learn more about the joys of hunting and fishing and the ethics thereof than almost any other place. And, the life and culture of the rural deep South of the 1920s/1930s.

Originally in paperback, they've been reissued in recent years. I had to buy the reissues; I'd about worn out my paperbacks.

Art

 

[trapperjohn]

I just found it hugely amusing that an item being sold as a hunting tool is being shown operating at nearly 7000 feet above the highest peak above sea level

Actually it is only 7 feet above the top of mt everest (29,028ft)