High-tech advances make hunting and other outdoor sports safer and more comfortable

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Spot Satellite Personal Tracker​

Brad Schuelke of Sportsman's Warehouse in Rocklin sums up the reaction of hunters coming into the store as they prepare to go into the field in a year like no one has seen since the Great Depression.

"It's been such a strange year, and guys are just happy to see new stuff on the shelves," he said.

And some pretty cool new stuff it is. Clever electronic devices help keep hunters safe while out in the field and help them bag their quarry.

While the latest camo outerwear isn't as sexy as that new range finder, it is every bit as technologically advanced in its own way.

With a little help from experts at Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabela's, we tracked down the tools that hunters are willing to buy even in a tough economy.

– Jim Jones, special to The Bee

Garmin Astro DC 30 GPS dog tracking system, $599.99

Information: www.garmin.com

As long as we're keeping track of each other in the field, how about keeping track of your hunting dogs? Up to 10 dogs can be tracked with this device, out to a distance of five miles. Note that state regulations prohibit hunters from using such devices to take or pursue mammals.

Sitka Gear

Information: www.sitkagear.com

This clothing line seems to be as technologically advanced as any gee-whiz satellite tracker. Sitka is the brainchild of guys who left Patagonia and North Face, two of the most highly respected outdoor and mountaineering clothing manufacturers. For years, breathable Gore-Tex parkas have protected wearers from wind, rain and snow, but the fabric was stiff and noisy. Sitka outerwear makes no sacrifices in protection, Schuelke says, but it is soft, quiet, light and storm-ready. Sitka clothing allows the wearer to control temperature and dryness with a layering system. A base layer wicks moisture away from the skin, the next layer insulates, and an outer shell protects against wind, rain and other elements. The camouflage exterior is unique, developed to make the hunter seem to disappear by breaking up his outline, as opposed to mimicking the background.

Nikon RifleHunter Laser 550 range finder,$305.99, Swarovski Laser Guide, $999.99

Information: www.nikon.com, www.swarovskioptik.com

Small range finders like these have greatly improved and are reasonably priced. They help hunters determine their distance from their prey. "Some hunters have a difficult time estimating distances even on flat ground," says Jamie Klund of Cabela's in Reno. "But when you're in rough terrain looking across a valley, it's even tougher. Guess wrong on the distance, and you're more likely to wound the animal, rather than making a clean kill." Mike Merlo, sales manager at Badger John's Huntin' Stuff, says the Nikon RifleHunter Laser 550 range finder stacks up well against the top-of-the-line Swarovski at less than one-third the cost.

Spot Satellite Personal Tracker, $169.99 for current model (discounts and rebates available), $99.99 year for basic service

Information: www.findmespot.com

Like other handheld GPS devices, the Spot Tracker can track your whereabouts even in remote areas well outside the range of cell towers. After learning about the improvements coming to Spot's next generation, scheduled to hit stores in October, I can't stop imagining what it would be like to own one. Spot's new device will be 30 percent smaller and lighter. The devices will also have a more sensitive GPS chipset, redesigned antenna for improved performance in foliage and other enhancements. The user can send text messages – from a preprogrammed selection – relaying his or her status. Or he can relay a message indicating help is needed in two categories – non-urgent or urgent. The latter triggers rescue teams and should be activated only in a life-threatening emergency. This is included in the $99.99 annual service fee. If you want to take this a step further, you can pay an additional $50 a year to allow friends or family to track you on pages powered by Google maps. For another $30 a year, you can get a new satellite-based capability called the Spot Assist, which functions much like the OnStar roadside assist system. The company offers bundled deals that reduce the price of add-on services.

Garmin Rino 530HCx two-way radio with GPS, $499.99

Information: www.garmin.com

This pricey, compact radio combines two – no, wait, make that three – important functions in one unit. You can keep in voice contact with your hunting buddy, and also keep track of where you are, where you've been and where you're going with its global positioning capability. You not only know where you are at all times, but you also can simultaneously keep track of your buddy's whereabouts. The neat thing is, more hunters can join in the coordinated hunt, as long as they have their own Rinos. This is particularly useful when you are moving slowly through heavy vegetation. Friends will now avoid the big no-no of inadvertently positioning themselves on the opposite side of game. In the old days (say, five years ago), there was a lot of guessing or a lot of noise involved in such an effort.

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Garmin Astro DC 30 GPS dog tracking system​

Garmin Rino 530HCx two-way radio with GPS​

Sitka's Ascent jacket​

Nikon RifleHunter Laser 550 range finder​

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