Just how much technology will fish & game departments tolerate?

On June 11th of this year, the Arizona Game and Fish Department commissioners voted unanimously to ban trail cameras “for the purpose of taking or aiding in the taking of wildlife, or locating wildlife for the purpose of taking or aiding in the taking of wildlife.” Their language pretty well covers any possible loopholes in their intent.

The new Arizona policy could be far-reaching if other states follow their lead. This remains to be seen. Not only hunting is affected. The trail camera industry is big business and the impact will be felt. This hits a little closer to home for me as my grandson designs trail cameras.

How do I feel about it personally? I do not own or use trail cameras. I’d rather not know what’s out there. I look forward to surprises, and I take pleasure in bagging a good buck without the use of technology. However, I do not particularly want to see friends and fellow hunters deprived of their use. I do wonder just how far modern technology will take us in the pursuit of game and fish, and I think about where our game & fish agencies will draw the line as Arizona did.

This past 4th of July weekend, Betsy, Lisa, our middle daughter, and I traveled to Cincinnati to follow our Cubs. (The Cubbies made Reds fans very happy.) As we approached downtown Chicago on I-94, the computer generated voice of our vehicle’s GPS system told us there was a traffic bottleneck ahead, and it suggested an alternate route while telling us how much time it would save us. While the GPS knew about the traffic jam because of its satellite eye in the sky, it got me to thinking about technology that might be used in fishing in the not too distant future.

WHAT IF we were trolling a weed line guided by our boat’s GPS system? While trolling along, a computer activated voice interrupts our train of thought. The voice tells us, “There is a school of fish, probably walleyes as determined by their size, suspended in twelve feet of water forty-two feet in front of the boat. Set your lines at the appropriate depth.” I realize that this is fantasy today, but we probably already have the necessary technology. The only improvement on this would be some sort of electrical impulse that stimulates the fish’s appetite.

Just where, today, do we draw the line on “fair chase”? There are those few who say any weapon beyond a spear isn’t fair chase. We can then graduate to long bows, recurve bows, and today’s compound bows and compound crossbows. What about telescopic sights on rifles? What about computerized rifles and scopes that kill effectively at 800 yards? What about digital trail cameras that show us what deer or elk are at our stand while we sit in the comfort of our living room? What about electronic scent eliminators and laser rangefinders?

I’ve thrown a lot of ideals out there, but I will almost bet, and I’m not a gambling man, that some states will follow Arizona’s lead.

This past week I received word from SDGF&P on our computer that I drew both of my second choices for East River and West River Deer. I’m totally satisfied. With the fivedollar purchase of preference points, I’m all but guaranteed first choices for next year.

For second choice in my home Charles Mix County, I chose “any antlerless whitetail.” Although I won’t be buck hunting, I’ll still be out there close to home, and I’ll use my antique .45-70 Springfield rifle. A hunt is all you make of it, and I don’t have to be buck hunting to have a good time.

For West River Deer, we’ll be hunting whitetails, not “any deer,” with my great partner Mike, and it will be the 52nd year of hunting on the same Corson County ranch where we will reacquaint with dear old friends. It doesn’t get any better than that. Here’s hoping that you’re as satisfied as I.

See you next week.