Comments on: Where The Heck Are Ya? Survivor Friday

By: Moose

Moose — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 12:03:15 +0000

Thanks for the comments guys. I agree the new gadgets make our lives easier but we have to know how to use basic equipment like a compass for the time the gadgets die. I’m not sure that is necessarily a skill we are passing on to the younger generation. I was in a fast food place the other day and the kid had to call the manager over to help him make change. He rung in I was giving him a 10 when it was actually a 20. Neither him nor the manager could figure it out I told them to just add 10 to what the cash register said but they felt that was wrong so they ended up voiding the sale and reringing it up. I got my change but what a scary world when people are so tired to technology that they can’t do the simplest thing without it.,
-Moose-

By: HuntingLife

HuntingLife — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:22:12 +0000

Louis,

I agree with you 100% that there is absolutely no substitute for the ole’ compass and map. The SPOT Messenger is a great tool for safety use but it is not a full fledged GPS and will not tell you anything about where you are while you are in the woods. Having the SPOT just gives me the confidence to know if something happens out in the back country and I get hurt or I come across a hurt hunter, I can hit that switch and someone is coming to help. It will not help me if I am not prepared enough and know my maps or hunting area from getting lost.

Most hunters need to work harder on learning proper compass use, proper map use and old fashion woodsmanship skills. I never step into the back country without a great map and a plan and I always make sure someone knows where I am and when I will return. The SPOT is just in addition to those simple plans.

By: Louis3300

Louis3300 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:53:06 +0000

I think that all of the electronic gadgets are great. However, there is no substitute for the good ole’ compass and map. Out here in the West it is difficult to get cell coverage or to give exact directions as to were you will be hunting. Batteries in your GPS can go dead and weather can move in quickly. So knowing the basics of compass and map reading are still essential tools that everyone should know before hitting the woods.

By: Rick

Rick — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 14:33:57 +0000

I recently did a post about this product. I have never tried it but after doing a bit of research I felt it would be a good item to invest in.

http://whitetailwoods.blogspot.com/2009/01/spot-satellite-gps-messenger.html

By: HuntingLife

HuntingLife — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:49:11 +0000

I have used the SPOT Messenger pretty extensively over the past year and I can state clearly this is a tool that should be in every hunters Backpack. One of my good friends and hunting buddies fell from his tree Stand many years ago and he was on the ground for several hours before his buddies located him when he did not come in to camp. SPOT would of eliminated the several hours of agonizing pain as he laid on the ground waiting for help, hoping help would find him quickly.

I have a deal with SPOT that will allow hunters to pick up this product for $149.00 and if they use the promotional code HUNTINGLIFE23 they can get one free year of tracking which is an additional $50.00 savings.

http://www.findmespot.com/huntinglife

We often look the other way as hunters when thinking about safety because of the expense, but this product is worth every penny.