Merging Tradition with Modern Tech: Trends in Hunting Accessories

Hunting, one of humanity's oldest activities, is being revolutionized by modern technology. GPS trackers, night vision and thermal imaging devices, smart scopes, and advanced scent control systems are significantly enhancing the hunting experience. These innovations make hunting safer, easier, and more successful while preserving traditional values. Discover how these technologies are transforming the hunting industry and the benefits they offer to hunters and retailers alike.

A woman's hand holds an EAW thermal imaging camera in front of a green background at IWA OutdoorClassics. — Modern technology enhances traditional hunting: GPS trackers, night vision, smart scopes, and more revolutionize the experience at IWA OutdoorClassics.

Hunting is one of humankind’s oldest activities, something we have been doing since our species first began to organise itself into basic civilisations. That inescapable fact means that modern-day hunting history is rich in tradition and history. Some of the brands in this sector are literally hundreds of years old. But like any industry, things must always move with the times. Traditional products and practices are inevitably infiltrated by modern technologies as things rapidly develop in our modern world. Some may see this as a bad thing, but most will see it as an opportunity. The cutting-edge technology of the 21st century has the ability to take hunting to places it has never been before, while still maintaining the traditions and pastimes that make it what it is. The business potential of products that help bring modern innovations into hunting is huge – so, perhaps it’s time we took a closer look at the latest trends…

GPS Trackers and Navigation

We all walk around with GPS devices in our pockets in our daily lives in the modern world, but sometimes a smartphone won’t cut it when it comes to hunting in the wilderness. Thankfully, the technology and useability of GPS trackers specifically made for hunters have come on leaps and bounds, offering an extra level of safety for those who head out into the backcountry. Companies such as Garmin have created GPS devices that not only provide incredible coverage even in heavily wooded or remote areas but also have advanced features. Things like user-friendly screens that show clear and accurate information, rechargeable lithium batteries and inReach technology so you can send and receive text messages. Many can be uploaded with maps that help hunters see land ownership boundaries and other important information. GPS devices have even evolved to help keep track of dogs – GPS collars are getting smarter and smaller helping hunters keep track of their four-legged partners. The humble map has evolved into something much more useful, which is something retailers can take advantage of in-store. Demos, signage, and in-house knowledge of your staff can help showcase the real-world benefits of these products to customers.

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A man is looking through a Pulsar foresight device mounted on a rifle. — Night Vision and thermal imaging are the trends at IWA OutdoorClassics when it comes to technology

Night Vision and Thermal Imaging

It wasn’t that long ago when night vision was an alien concept for hunters, especially in Europe. It was something reserved for movies, not for normal hunters out on a weekend shoot. But that has changed significantly over the last decade. Night vision and thermal imaging are now commonplace, to the point where it’s strange for hunters not to use them. Pioneering firms such as Pulsar have helped lead the way in this field. Arguably one of the main players in this arena, this Lithuanian company makes a huge selection of products including riflescopes, binoculars, and monoculars with thermal imaging. As demand has increased for these products, the technology used in them has become cheaper and more widely available, making them more accessible. Pulsar is keeping interest in this category high launching an upgrading scheme where users can go online and select specific parts of the hardware (sensor, objective lens, laser rangefinder etc) of the products they want to upgrade. This means consumers can buy a cheaper base model and upgrade over time. Being able to see our quarry well in all conditions is something that hunters have always strived for, and now it’s easier than ever. Night vision and thermal technology now make that easier for more people than ever before.

Smart Scopes

Along a similar line, the world of scopes has become much more advanced in recent years. We’re now at the point where the chips used inside a scope are almost as vital as the glass – okay, maybe not, but it is definitely now a key attribute when it comes to the buying decisions of hunters. Brands such as ATN produce scopes like the X-Sight 5, which features a quad-core processor producing what it describes as ultra-high definition images with vastly superior resolution, speed, sensitivity, and efficiency than anything they’ve ever made. This scope features in-view ballistic calculations, an automatically adjusting mil-dot reticle, a built-in laser rangefinder, and even the ability to record or stream in 4K resolution. This was the stuff of science fiction only a few years ago, now it is a reality. Once a customer uses something like this, they may find it hard to go back. Technology like this leans into the tradition of what hunting is all about at its core ¬– being a good conservationist and ensuring clean, sporting kills. It helps hunters achieve that much more easily. As with night vision, it’s difficult to see where the developments in this sector will go next – perhaps we are more likely to see ways in which the technology can reach down to lower price points. Whatever happens, it’s an essential product range to explore as a retailer. It represents an opportunity to have some eye-catching demonstrations in your store that will surely drive interest and sales.

Scent Control

A problem as old as hunting is how to mask your scent from wary quarry. Companies have tried all kinds of methods over the years, but now smart technology is helping make this easier than ever before. American firm Ozonics has products like the HR600 – a device that can be attached above you or your stand and uses a special technology that molecularly destroys human scent. It operates hands-free, is quiet, has a smart, rechargeable battery, and can be operated via a Bluetooth connection with your smartphone. It can also be used at home to treat your clothing and gear to help remove scents from them. Like most advances in hunting accessories, this has been designed to help make hunting more successful for all, which is a goal that is easy to sell to your customers. If technology like this increases the chances of a successful hunt, the reason to buy is clear.

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A woman and a man look at a pair of hunting trousers on a stand at the IWA OutdoorClassics. — Clothing can be as modern as technology, for example when it comes to material.

Clothing and Comfort

Apparel is one of the most important hunting accessories you can buy, and this too is benefitting from advances in technology. Clothing is getting warmer, lighter, more waterproof, and more packable with each passing year, with brands such as Swazi New Zealand and Härkila at the forefront of this revolution. We are also seeing innovations in hunting accessories designed to keep you more comfortable. Products such as the Geyser Water Shower, which allows you to take a 15-minute hot shower with less than four litres of water, will help keep hunters out in the field longer and ensure they stay more comfortable. The benefits of this are easy to explain to your customers – fewer reasons to go home means increased time on the hunt and increased chances of success.

So, while smart technology may seem like it goes against the traditions of hunting, in almost all cases it is only serving to help hunters carry out those traditional acts more safely, easily, and ultimately successfully. With the introduction of artificial intelligence into the mainstream over the last year, only time will tell what the smart hunting accessories of the future will look like. Provided they continue to hold the tradition and essence of hunting at their core, they should only help to make the sector a better place.

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GPS Trackers and Navigation