Gizmodo: Hunting

Optifade Digital Camo Brought to You In Glorious 'DeerVision'

Sean Fallon — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EDT

W.L. Gore, the same company that brought us Gore Tex, is now setting its sights on helping hunters kill deer more effectively using their new Optifade digital camouflage. Apparently, someone had the bright idea to find out exactly how a deer sees a hunter, then use that information to design a better brand of camo. After a tireless investigation into ungulate vision and the distribution of countless food pellets to test deer, researchers came up with an "abstract" design that consists of a micropattern of tiny squares and large geometric shapes that should, theoretically, prevent the deer from connecting the dots and registering the shape as a human.

Optifade may have an uphill battle on its hands with regard to hunting purists, however. The difference between Optifade and traditional camo is that it does not seek to mimic the natural environment—and until someone can prove that this newfangled fancy technology actually provides an advantage, hunters are likely to stick with what they know. [NYT and NYT]

Bazooka ATV Mountable Speakers Make Hunters Squeal Like a Pig

Sean Fallon — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 20:00:27 EST

These 6.5" Bazooka "Outdoor Tubbie" speakers are hilarious on numerous levels. First off, they are designed for hunters—which is why they are camouflaged. The idea is to hook them to your ATV roll bar, which I can only presume is useful for those interested in hunting wild game whilst blaring music.

Uh, I don't know much about hunting, but I do know that thundering out of the brush, guns a' blazin' with dueling banjos blaring from your ATV is unlikely to result in a successful kill. However, if you are interested in picking them up, you can do so starting this March for $449.95. [Product Page via AudioJunkies]

First Pink Gadgets, Now Pink Shotguns?

Charlie White — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:40:00 EDT

Hunting season's coming up, and a lot of guys are getting sick and tired of looking at each other's ugly mugs, longing for a woman's touch. What better way to attract those lovely ladies to the hunting festivities than a pink shotgun? Offered for the first time this season exclusively by sporting goods and gun purveyor Gander Mountain, this 20-gauge Remington 870 Junior shotgun is offered complete with a pink Remington hat for $369.99. All that's missing is the Hello Kitty insignia.

Might be a great Christmas present for that special lady in your life, or for that unusual hunting partner with the purdy mouth, with whom you spent a little bit too much time last year. The verdict: Not likely to be any more positive to marketers than pink gadgets. The chances of this succeeding at retail? I'd gather far worse than the chances of pink gadgets. Just a hunch. [ShopLocal]

Fingers-On with the MP3 Lederhosen and Hunting Jacket

AddyDugdale — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 04:58:58 EDT

Consider the Bavarian hunting jacket with built-in MP3 controls. Consider it, and then wonder why you'd want to listen to oompah music while you blast away at anything in feathers, fur &mdash or if you're Dick Cheney, anyone who's standing too close to you. To drown out the screams, I suppose. There is also a pair of matching lederhosen as well, which we already covered earlier this year.

I know, I know. Back then I was stupid enough to think that the buttons controlled your cell phone and not your MP3 player. Why would you want a cell phone attached to your hunting pants, I thought? "Er, Hank? I just shot Buddy. He's on the floor and I don't think he's breathing. Can we get some damage limitation in asap, please?"). I blame an error on the picture caption, myself, but feel free to blame me if you want.

Would You Buy It? (...I wouldn't)

Mark Wilson — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 12:05:52 EST

I lied. I totally would. –Mark Wilson

1979 Kirby Hunting Tophy [via make]

Robotic Deer Stops Poachers, Rednecks

Travis Hudson — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 09:11:16 EST

Indiana police are using a little technology to stop poachers from killing unsuspecting deer. They have begun using motorized decoy deer all across northwest Indiana. The decoy is placed along the road with an officer planted in the woods controlling its motorized head. It has been resulting in arrests of up to five poachers per day. The decoy looks so realistic that most people have to do a double-take. Even if a hunter shoots the decoy he will still be subject to a fine and criminal charges. No word from the robotic deer, but they are expected to strike soon for better wages. Getting shot day in and day out is pretty tough work.

Robotic Deer Stops Poachers In The Act [CBS Chicago]

Roboducks - You Know, Fer Huntin'

johnb — Fri, 19 Aug 2005 15:47:53 EDT

Roboducks are robotic decoys that lure unsuspecting ducks to their doom much more effectively than the standard, dead-in-the-water decoy. These things flap their wings and wiggle their tails and make hunters six times more effective. I'm not liking those odds for Mr. Mallard, but I guess it makes the hunting part of the hunting/drinking equation a bit better.

Roboducks for hunters [ShinyShiny]