Modern Technology Yes, But…

We are so spoiled these days when it comes to technology that is made for the fishing and hunting community. One of the most commonly used devices today, is of course, the GSP.

Global Positioning Systems can be unbelievably accurate and very useful. However, batteries die, signals fail and worse of all, that fancy-ass GPS won’t tell you that there’s a great big God damn swamp a half mile ahead…

I do have concerns that the so-called “expert woodsman” of the future may not be nearly as skilled as the woodsmen of yesterday. I think it’s best to use the technology that is available to us, but we MUST NOT forget to use the older and more traditional ways of wilderness navigation and survival. I know guys who own half the Cabela’s catalogue worth of gear but without it, they’d die a slow, horrible death if they ever got turned around and had to spend a few days in the bush.

If you happen to know an elderly person who has spent a lot of time in the bush, say someone over 70 – 80 years of age, sit down and listen. If you live on or near a First Nations community or Indian Reserve, meet up with one of the Elders, light a campfire, take a seat and - LISTEN to them. You will learn more in a couple hours with an elder than you will from a lifetime of screwing around with electronic gadgetry.