The Hog Blog

No, this is not about Live-Shot, the misguided operation in which Internet users could log on, pay a fee, and shoot live animals from the comfort of their desk chair.  I was right there in the vanguard when the hunting community rose up to put a quick stop to that foolishness before it ever even got started, and to this day I still think we were right to do so.  I have a pretty laissez faire attitude when it comes to hunting methods, as long as it’s legal, but Internet hunting was too much to countenance.

But that’s not what this about.

Nope, what this is about is another kind of Internet hunting… where nothing really gets hurt except a little bandwidth.  OK, so a lot of you out there are gonna say it’s not hunting if you don’t actually kill anything, and that’s true enough.  This is more of a game than a hunt, of course, which is exactly what belongs on the Internet… games.   

So the site is called Cyber Ranch Adventures, and here’s what they do, according to the home page on the website.

Virtual Deer Hunting Live provides unlimited hours of entertainment to hunters from anywhere in the world. The only thing needed is access to the internet. Subscribers actually take control of our cameras on site. You can pan left/right, zoom in and out, up and down, anything you can do with a rifle and scope. Even pull the trigger to take a snapshot of a winning buck. Hunters can experience the joy and excitement associated with hunting right from their home or office. You will have opportunities through our monthly contests to win hunting equipment or even free hunts.

Our cameras are placed strategically at prime hunting locations inside ranches across the USA and eventually the world. The cameras are unobtrusive to the environment and completely silent. We in no way harm or disturb natural surrounding wildlife. As we continue to grow, our subscribers will have access to more and more ranches and different types of game.

I actually saw these guys’ ad on one of the hunting channels, and had to log on and check it out.  While it looks like the plan is to make this a pay-to-play site, right now you can register for free.  Free fits my budget right now, so I registered and skipped right over all the other stuff to see the hunting. 

To start, you pick a ranch from their menu of ranches.  Since I’ve fallen in love with the Texas Hill Country, I clicked away on the Frio River Ranch.  My first impression was that things loaded pretty slowly, but as the page resolved I realized why… these really are LIVE cameras!  You’re looking around at a real ranch, generally a feeder or a waterhole, and real wildlife. 

From here, you can select the camera/area you want to hunt from the menu of live images from the area.  This takes you to your “stand”, where you can use the controller to pan the camera around a total, 360-degree view of the area.  And here’s where I ran into my first snag. 

First of all, if anyone else is using that area, you’re queued up to wait until they get done.  A “hunt session” is about three minutes, at which point if the current hunter hasn’t made a “shot”, he is kicked to the back of the line and the next hunter gets a turn.  If you don’t want to wait in line, you can go back out and select an area that no one else is using.   Here’s a game tip for ya… if the preview menu shows animals on the camera, you can count on other hunters picking that area.  The menu shows you how many other people are already in the area, so you can pick someplace else if you don’t want to wait.

But that aside, when I entered the hunt area, I found the controls a bit clunky.  Most of this was due to the slow refresh rate of the live camera over the Internet, but part of it was that it was difficult to manage fine adjustments to the camera… especially when it came time to aim.  The more I played, the better I got at it… although I still think it leaves a bit to be desired.  I found that by adjusting the speed control, I had a little more control over the camera.  Slow it down to make fine adjustments, and speed it up to pan more quickly.  Remember, you’ve only got three minutes to find an animal and make your shot. 

Something I liked was that, because these are live cameras on real game ranches, the animals come and go.  There’s no computerized algorithm that determines the appearance of game… the critters are gonna do what they want.  Some folks may not have the patience for this, but really, if there’s nothing in the area where you are, you can always go to another area, or even to another ranch. 

When you find your animal and make your “shot”, the system snaps a digital photo with your crosshairs (or crossbow pins… depending on the weapon you chose) on the kill zone.  The site runs a monthly contest for the best picture (not completely sure on the judging criteria), with prizes advertised to be hunting gear and/or free hunts.  I whacked an ibex and submitted my photo (why not, it’s free?). 

I only messed around on the site for an hour or two, and I’m sure there’s a lot more to be found there.  They do have a forum where members can post up about their virtual hunts, as well as chat about real hunting experiences.  I popped in briefly, but I didn’t have a lot to add right now. 

While I think the game could benefit from some tweaking (especially the aiming mechanism), I still think it’s a pretty good idea.  As they add more ranches, it could provide a pretty unique opportunity to take a break from the daily drag and hop into a “stand” on your favorite ranch, see some real critters instead of computer generated animations, and make a “shot” or two.  And who knows, but you might win some cool prizes as well! 

Anyway, I put these guys with The Hunter.Com and Camospace as a couple of sites to keep an eye on.  More good stuff for hunters on the Internet.

I don’t want to make a habit of cross-posting with my work over at the Native Hunt Blog, but I did want to share the latest tip I just posted, on travelling with your firearms. 

It’s a commonly asked question, especially among first-time travellers.  The regulations and rules can get pretty confusing, but when it’s all said and done, as I explain in the post, it’s mostly just a matter of doing your homework and getting the information before you fly.  Take note, though, that the best place to find that information is at the source… the airlines themselves, and your outfitter.  Sure, your friends all want to be helpful, but the rules change fast and often. 

Anyway, drop by over at the Native Hunt blog and give it a read if you have a chance.

The first real rains of the season have come to CA, and I’ve gotta say it’s pretty nice.  This’ll put a dent in the fire season, and ought to really get the deer moving.  It’s a kind of warm storm, the remnants of a typhoon, so we won’t see a lot of snow from this one, but I imagine the blacktails will be coming down.

Anyway, just thought it would be a good opportunity to take a look around and see what’s happening on my friend’s blogs, maybe discover a few new ones, and just surf around for good reading material.  There’s plenty of it out there.  Oh, and you’ll notice my blog roll is pretty lengthy… I may not get to you in this posting.  Don’t take it personal.

First of all, take a look at the buck over at the Skinning Shed, my friend Jeff’s blog about his work at the Cypress Creek hunting club.  267 lbs for a southern whitetail is a screaming monster!  Congrats to the hunter, and nice work out there, Jeff.

Over at the Deer Camp, Rex is still cracking me up with the chronicles of the Christmas Place farm, and a cast of family and friends.  I always get a kick out of his renderings of popular songs, and his treatment of “Mama Told Me Not to Come” is a real crackup. 

Arthur and his brother over at Simply Outdoors are hard at it in the deer woods, trying hard to bring home some more venison.  The weather has been on and off, but the moon seems to be the big problem right now. 

I’ve added a couple of new members to the roll, too.  First is Chad Love’s, the Mallard of Discontent.  Chad has been co-writing on the Field and Stream Field Notes blog for a little while now, but I think his personal site is a better representation of his ability as a writer.  He’s recently returned from a bluewater fishing trip off New Jersey, in which he broke his big-game virginity with a trophy many offshore fishermen only dream of… a blue marlin. 

Another new addition is Hodgeman’s Thoughts on the Great Outdoors.  I have to admit that I meant to add this site to the list long ago, but it slipped through the cracks.  Hodgeman’s writing is clean and sharp, but reading it is like talking around a table.  He writes from up in Alaska, where the life of an outdoorsman takes on a whole different perspective.  His latest screed, on long range shooting, really echoes my own sentiments on the practice of the “Hail Mary” shot.  As he points out:

In other words its a final act of desperation.

Finally, one more relatively new addition to the roll is Hunts Like a Girl (or Scent Free Lip Gloss).  I first ran across Emily over on Rex’s Deer Camp Blog, and have been following along through her elk hunting season.  Sounds like she came home empty-handed when all was said and done, but I’ve gotta say her write-ups were still plenty entertaining. 

Oh, and when it comes to reading material, a friend of mine just sent an email about a new magazine for California hunters.  Relentless 365 should be hitting the stands soon, and from what I’ve seen so far, it promises to be a good addition to the reading list.  I think it’s pretty bold to step out with a new, print magazine, but there could be a reasonable market for something like this. 

Well, that’s enough for now… the rain is tapering off.  Stay tuned for more!

Maybe that’s not the best way to market this, but hey… it is what it is. 

Looks like I’m gonna expand my blogging efforts to join up with my friend, T. Michael Riddle as he cranks up a new blog for his Native Hunt operations. 

Don’t worry… I don’t plan to drop off my entries here on the HogBlog.  Instead, I’ll be helping Michael out with his own posts, and creating some new ones of my own.  I don’t expect this is going to be a mirror of the HogBlog either, as I expect we’ll tackle a handful of new topics that I just don’t get to on this site.  Of course, there will be some crossover, as one of the main pursuits that Mr. Riddle and I both share is hog hunting!  

Anyway, if you get half a chance, head on over and check it out!  It’s still getting started, but nothing helps get this kind of thing moving more than the participation of you guys… the readers!

For a few years now, I’ve been a regular reader of Dave Hurteau’s “Field Notes” blog, over at the Field and Stream website.  Hurteau has a great “voice” when he’s on, and his columns used to be a joy to read.  When he put up a news article, it was usually relevant and he generally had some great commentary to go along with it as well. 

Sadly, however, things seem to have changed over at Field and Stream.  I don’t know if it’s Hurteau’s own doing, or some orders from “higher up”, but I’ve noticed a significant lack of original content.  Instead, the site’s focus seems to be posting up “controversial” outdoors-related news articles (often it’s only the most tenuous connection) simply for the sake of getting comments from the readership.  For example, a recent post is a cut-and-paste from an article that quotes the Governor of PA making a strong speech against semi-automatic rifles.  The clipped article content sets the stage, and then asks the readership, “what do you think?” 

My question followed, what the heck do the bloggers at Field and Stream EXPECT their readership to think about a governor proposing a ban on semi-autos? 

It no longer has anything to do with the personality or wisdom, wit, or insight of the blogger… and those are the things that bring me to a blog.   In most cases, Hurteau (and his co-blogger, Chad Love), seldom even offer a personal opinion in their own blog posts, nor do they generally deign to reply to the comments.  It looks to me like mass production with no other purpose than to keep the rabble roused and the page hits high. 

It was one of my favorite blogs, but unless things change, I’ll be dropping it from my blog roll. I’m a little sick of it, especially when all it seems to do is enhance the polarization of opinion that has become so endemic in our society over the past several years. 

But I wonder if it’s just me, or do other folks feel the same about this kind of blogging.   Who else reads Field Notes, and what do you think of the current trend over there? 

On the bright side, Dave Petzal’s Gun Nut blog is still offering all the great content, wit, and information that I’ve enjoyed… so all of the Field and Stream blogs haven’t gone bad.  The addition of shotgun editor, Phil Bourjailly as a co-blogger has made it even better, although I think Petzal carried it well on his own.  Bourjailly brings a different sensibility, almost but not quite a foil for Petzal… and I’m looking forward to seeing where this partnership goes.

I don’t get out to read and comment on my blog roll friends as much as I’d like, but I do as much as I can… here’s some of the stuff that’s going on out there.

First of all, over at Simply Outdoors, Arthur is writing a little about the feral pig invasion.  I’ve commented from time to time about the pig populations in Michigan (Arthur’s home state), and the approach the state has taken by permitting licensed hunters to shoot hogs on site.  I think it’s a great idea, but if eradication is the goal, I have my doubts.  Well, apparently Arthur has some questions of his own.  Go check it out, and add your two-cents’ worth.

Meanwhile, at the NorCal Cazadora blog, Holly’s had a little back and forth with an anti-hunter.  As always, it’s an educational opportunity to see what the “other side” thinks about hunters, as well as a chance to read a reasonable and level-headed response.  If you haven’t already, you should give it a look.

Kristine is still cranking it out at Hunt Smart, Think Safety with her “Safety Friday” posts and community round-ups.  If you’re ever looking for more great stuff to read, check out her updates in the Community Calvalcade. 

And our friend across “The Pond”, the Suburban Bushwacker has a recent post that is just the kind of random strangeness that makes me love his blog.  The image he’s posted is, alone, worth the page view.  There’s more great stuff on his recent pages as well. 

The Western Wanderer has a write-up about the latest offer from the folks who make the SPOT rescue beacon.  In my opinion, anyone who spends much time in the backcountry should have a personal locator device like this.  The original PLBs were fairly expensive, but the SPOT is priced more modestly, and offers some features that the others don’t have, such as an update message and non-emergency transmission capabilities.  Anyway, Jon writes about the new offer in which you can receive a free SPOT simply by signing up for their coverage package.  That’s a pretty sweet deal, especially for such a powerful piece of safety equipment.

I could go on, as all of my blogroll friends are turning out some great stuff.  With wild turkey season (the bird, not the bourbon) just around the bend, you cacn bet that activity will be picking up for a bunch of them too!

I don’t think there are many people left in this modern world who haven’t at least heard of social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace.  Heck, a quick look at the membership rolls on some of these sites would make you wonder if there’s anyone in the modern world who hasn’t signed up with one or the other.  The question that I can’t help wondering about is whether or not this is a good thing or a bad. 

On the one hand, it’s pretty cool to see the Internet opened up as a massive party line.  People from all over the world can share ideas, art, and entertainment.  Communities form, and society grows… right? 

It’s also just plain fun to be able to log on, locate old friends from high school, or meet new friends with shared interests.  You can sit down to a hand of poker with people from all over the world, or promote a cause (real or silly).  You can share photographs and videos with family and friends, or with the entire network. 

But there’s a downside… some people just don’t think about the possible repercussions of putting certain information out there for the world to see.  I’m sure most of us have heard the stories about politicians or public figures brought down by some photos, videos, or writing they thoughtlessly posted for the whole world to see (remember Sarah Palin’s bikini pictures?).   There are tons of anecdotes about job applicants being rejected when the employer got a look at something the individual had posted. 

Where am I going with all this?  The social networks are certainly not a new thing, at least not in the foreshortened time scale of the Internet.  It’s not news. 

But I am interested in how these things are impacting the hunting and outdoors community.  I mean, think about it.  Some people think it’s a benefit that the Internet connects people, and encourages communication… and for the most part, I agree.  But I think it’s also generated an entire culture of people who never have to actually go outside or meet face to face.   I know some individuals already who spend their hours tapping away at a keyboard for almost every social need… willing and able to live “virtually”.  For a community of hunters and outdoorsmen, how does this translate?  Good for the sport?  Bad?  Irrelevant?  I don’t know.

Do outdoors-related social networking sites such as CamoSpace offer a benefit to our sport, or are they encouraging more people to plant themselves at the computer or TV?  Are they bringing more people into the outdoors, providing a platform for discussion of important, hunting related issues, and linking hunters and fishermen around the world?  Or are they simply an outlet for the industry to promote itself, selling and advertising. 

There’s an awful lot of importance attached to the Internet these days, and while much of it is well-deserved, it also worries me a little bit.  It is, unquestionably, the future of entertainment.  But I also think it’s the future of communication… of information… and that presents one heck of a risk.  It’s an uncontrolled format, where fact and fiction dance toe-to-toe on a shady stage.  Lies and reality mingle, and the challenge to the thinking person is to discern which is which.  The problem is, sadly, I just don’t believe there are enough people out there willing to think for themselves. 

I’ll be mucking about with more on this general topic soon.  In the meantime, what do you folks think about all of this?

If you’re not getting enough hog-related reading around here, it looks like some of my friends from the blogosphere are doing some hog hunting and writing of their own lately.  This makes sense, of course, since hogs are about the only thing left in season this year.

First of all, there’s Jeff over at LowCountry Hunting.  Jeff hunts and guides down in the Low Country (Southeastern, South Carolina), so he knows a little about hunting pigs.  He just did a great post on the five reasons you might NOT get your hog.  It’s good stuff, and worth a read and consideration.  If you scroll through his recent posts while you’re there, you’ll find that he’s got some other great, hog hunting posts in there too. 

Jeff also writes The Skinning Shed blog, which is a chronicle of the hunts where he guides, the Cypress Creek Lodge.  His clients are slaying the pigs down there. 

Over yonder, across the ocean (the one on the right), the Suburban Bushwacker just did a short post about the “Wild Pig TV” program.  It’s a live, video feed from Estonia where apparently tens of thousands of viewers are logging in to watch, among other things, wild boar coming to feed. 

Down in the land of Faulkner, Rex is waxing poetic about hogs on his Deer Camp Blog.   I got a kick out of his Janis Joplin re-write.  You should check it out.  Keep an eye out as well, as I believe he’s got a pretty big hog hunt coming down the pike here soon.

There’s more going on out there, but this is a good starter list.  Now, I have to get back to vacuum packing my Tejon hog.  Can’t avoid the chores any longer.

Some of the HogBlog readers will recognize Othmar Vohringer from his comments here, or from his several hunting blogs.  His is a great voice to have in the blogosphere, and I’m glad to be acquainted with him for the past few years. 

Anyway, just found out that Othmar has just launched a new website that includes not only his blogs, but some great content.  Check it out if you get a chance (and if you haven’t already done so).

Some of you may have noticed I haven’t been by to post on your sites in a while.  Just wanted to apologize, and lay part of the blame on my three week hiatus to the hills.  I’m still trying to get back into the swing of Net Life, and to be honest, I had no idea how many blogs I’ve favorited over the last couple of years… or of how much time I spent visiting them all and posting comments. 

Now trust me, if your blog is listed in my favorites, it’s not there just to fill space.  Every site in that list is a blog I’ve visited and found valuable, either from the sense of community, the quality of information, the keen writing, or most usually, a combination of all the above.  But that list has grown quite long, and my time, of late, has been quite short.

So if I haven’t dropped in and said, “hi,” recently, it’s nothing personal.