What two modern equipment changes do you hate? (Or, what do you miss most)

[AKElroy]

There is a great thread running on what folks feel are the two best equipment changes to modern hunting. It made me wax nostalgic for some things that are long gone. Here are my two:

1. No more Steel-tube weaver scopes with that high-luster blue finish
2. No more Rifles completely free of plastic or pot metal

 

[gspn]

1 - Plastic where there should be metal

2 - Velcro on hunting gear

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

1. Shooting sticks... because no one knows how to use a sling to steady their rifle anymore.

2. Laser range finders with rifle hunters. If it's to far to know, it's too far for you to shoot.

 

[49willys]

Plastic rifle stocks and plastic gun sights.

 

[Schwing]

1) As gspn already pointed out, I hate velcro. It used to be any kind of strap or retention device was made to the exact correct length for use... now everything is "adjustable".

and This is a pretty petty thing but...

2) Leather holsters being replaced by vinyl and nylon.

 

[morcey2]

1. The cell phone when you don't turn it off because "I won't have a signal there".... and it rings just as you're getting ready to shoot at a trophy bull, scaring the bejezzus out of both you and the bull.

2. Tupperware stocks. No complaints about the good synthetic stocks, but the ones that feel like you're holding an empty disposable water bottle can go back to the refinery from whence they were born.

 

[Citadel99]

1. Heavy, non-adjustable, law suit designed triggers
2. Heavy, non-adjustable, law suit designed triggers

I also don't like the new triggers.

Mark

 

[Sam1911]

1) Hunting as a way to get food for your family, in the blissful absence of "celebrity" hunters and the made-up competitive monster-buck, "bone collector" bull-hockey. Hunting these days carries a taint of something between commercial one-upmanship and a tamed-down nerfed predatory psychosis. I miss the days when there were no rear-window stickers of absurdly out-sized deer antlers morphing into a human skull emblem, or dimwitted slogans proclaiming "If it's brown it's DOWN!" Makes one uncomfortable and a bit ashamed to be identified as a "hunter." "Well, yes, I hunt, but no...that's not me."

2) Blue jeans, LL Bean boots, a .30-30 and a Buck 110 folder as your sure-fire hunting gear, and a couple of fat does in the freezer as mementos of a successful season.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1 - I miss wood and blued rifles. You rarely see nice woodwork anymore. Its a shame.

I don't have a problem with shooting sticks. Anything that helps ensure a quick clean kill is A-okay in my book.
Hell, I'm in a 5x5 enclosed box blind with a heater and a padded rail to shoot off of. You must really hate me.

 

[AKElroy]

The infernal CROSS BOLT SAFETY.

After last month, now make it TWO pigs that owe their unnatural, destructive ongoing lives to the nanny state. My son's 94'. He missed one to the "click", just as I did the day before I gave it to him, free of charge.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1) Hunting as a way to get food for your family, in the blissful absence of "celebrity" hunters and the made-up competitive monster-buck, "bone collector" bull-hockey. Hunting these days carries a taint of something between commercial one-upmanship and a tamed-down nerfed predatory psychosis. I miss the days when there were no rear-window stickers of absurdly out-sized deer antlers morphing into a human skull emblem, or dimwitted slogans proclaiming "If it's brown it's DOWN!" Makes one uncomfortable and a bit ashamed to be identified as a "hunter." "Well, yes, I hunt, but no...that's not me."

2) Blue jeans, LL Bean boots, a .30-30 and a Buck 110 folder as your sure-fire hunting gear, and a couple of fat does in the freezer as mementos of a successful season.

Best quote so far by far.
And just FYI, some of us still put a couple fat does in the freezer. There's a couple in mine right now. Well..................one fat one and a yearling. It was my 10 year old daughter's first deer and I told her she could shoot the first legal thing we saw, and she did.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Hell, I'm in a 5x5 enclosed box blind with a heater and a padded rail to shoot off of. You must really hate me.

Nonsense. We call that a "client". They are what pays the bills for the ranch for the rest of the year.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1. The cell phone when you don't turn it off because "I won't have a signal there".... and it rings just as you're getting ready to shoot at a trophy bull, scaring the bejezzus out of both you and the bull.

Funny you mentioned that. My nephew is hunting the 2011 season and tells his mother to stop texting him because its getting prime time for deer movement. Well a very nice 8-point walks out at 15 yds. He's got his bow up and at full draw and the phone vibrates in his overalls pocket. It was resting on one of the copper snaps and made a loud buzzing sound. Then it was nothing but the white flag. :banghead:

Nonsense. We call that a "client". They are what pays the bills for the ranch for the rest of the year.

Ha.

 

[AKElroy]

1) Hunting as a way to get food for your family, in the blissful absence of "celebrity" hunters and the made-up competitive monster-buck, "bone collector" bull-hockey. Hunting these days carries a taint of something between commercial one-upmanship and a tamed-down nerfed predatory psychosis. I miss the days when there were no rear-window stickers of absurdly out-sized deer antlers morphing into a human skull emblem, or dimwitted slogans proclaiming "If it's brown it's DOWN!" Makes one uncomfortable and a bit ashamed to be identified as a "hunter." "Well, yes, I hunt, but no...that's not me."

2) Blue jeans, LL Bean boots, a .30-30 and a Buck 110 folder as your sure-fire hunting gear, and a couple of fat does in the freezer as mementos of a successful season.

Post of the DECADE! You would think deer are the sinister spawn of satan given the bloodlust displayed on Saturday morning hunting shows, particularly the commercials.

 

[3212]

I still hunt with a 1958 Model 70 in .243.Took 2 doe and a buck with it this season.I got it in 1991 from an old friend before he passed.Wood and Blue.

 

[Black Butte]

What two modern equipment changes do you hate?

1. Integrated locks (e.g., S&W).
2. Oversized loaded-chamber indicators (e.g., Ruger Mark III and LC9).

 

[MCgunner]

1. Shooting sticks... because no one knows how to use a sling to steady their rifle anymore.

2. Laser range finders with rifle hunters. If it's to far to know, it's too far for you to shoot.

Shooting sticks are MUCH steadier than any sling off hand. The buffalo hunters used 'em, not slings. And, if you've never hunted out west, or you don't bow hunt, you wouldn't understand range finders. Me, if I don't have something steadier to rest over, I'll use sticks AND a sling. Steadier the better, but then i don't limit myself to 50 yards, more like 350-400 in perfect conditions.

What I HATE...lessee, number one has to be drive by wire in modern trucks just to meet EPA regulations. EFI is great in mountainous terrain, but hook that throttle body up to the throttle with a MECHANICAL wire! Hell, I really don't have much against carburetors tell ya the truth.

It irritates me that Remington can't offer a 3 position safety. I get around the lack of a bolt lock now days by neck sizing so as the bolt lift will have some resistance, but I mean, REALLY, they should have designed a 3 position safety.

 

[Sam1911]

Thought of a piece of equipment I do miss. Not because it worked well, just because it reminds me of my grand dads.

Nobody was serious about hunting unless they had these along!

And number two would be my grand pop's ultimate hunting rig:



It's still sitting in the yard of the guy my grandmother gave it to when I went off to school.

But one I miss a little tiny bit less, was the actual boots we wore. We couldn't afford Bean boots until I was older:

 

[REWTEX]

Sam1911, that lantern brings back a lot of good memories for me too. Thanks for posting.

 

[witchhunter]

1. Uncle Mike's or Storm Queen scope covers- they work great! Can't find em anymore!!
2. Wood stocks- composite stocks are the cat's meow, but I put wood back on old Betsy. Just looks better, reminds me of when she was new (1972)

 

[bainter1212]

Thought of a piece of equipment I do miss. Not because it worked well, just because it reminds me of my grand dads.

Nobody was serious about hunting unless they had these along!

And number two would be my grand pop's ultimate hunting rig:



It's still sitting in the yard of the guy my grandmother gave it to when I went off to school.

But one I miss a little tiny bit less, was the actual boots we wore. We couldn't afford Bean boots until I was older:

A 6 volt lantern......

Also reminds me of my grandpa. He still uses his. Hard to find the batteries anymore though....


I also prefer older hunting guns. Made for just one purpose and made well.

I hunt with a Winchester 88 made in 1958.

 

[gspn]

Sam1911, that lantern brings back a lot of good memories for me too. Thanks for posting.

A big +1. That's a memory that I forgot I even had. The moment I saw it I remember seeing them as a kid. Wow...blast from the past.

 

[Sam1911]

Hey, I got one more in the memory trunk.

Remember when hunters, especially duck hunters, all wore these?





I never knew what they were called. A "Jones" cap. I just realized I haven't seen mine, or anyone else's, in over 20 years.

Just checked and Cabela's does still sell Jones caps, but not in the traditional old camo patterns. Not buying one in RealBark Double MaxX Plus or whatever...and not at $40... :-|

 

[Bull Nutria]

well I have an old school green camo Jones cap. it is special because my Uncle Jack gave it to me several years ago before he died. I wear it often when waterfowl hunting.

I really don't miss those old full lace up rubber boots, they were often uncomfortable and hot in summer and cold in winter!!

Bull

 

[hq]

well I have an old school green camo Jones cap. it is special because my Uncle Jack gave it to me several years ago before he died.

Ah. Me too. It was my father's and he used to wear it on hunting trips back in the 70's. I haven't used it in decades but now that you mentioned it, I'll have to find it in the basement for old times' sake.