Hunting Education: Do Cell Phones Have a Place in Hunting?

Depending on whom you ask, the answer to this question is mixed. 

Many hunters will automatically answer "No" but return with a quick "Well . . ." and list off a few ways they use their phone out in the woods. 

However short or long that list is, more hunters are heading out into the woods with their smartphones in tow. Does this mean technology is taking away from the hunting experience – or adding to it?

Today, we talk about using cell phones when hunting, what they can be used for, and how to stay safe when out in the field. 

What About Getting Back to Nature?

Some hunters feel like they do their best soul-searching in the woods. Being alone and outdoors are often primary reasons people get into (and stick with) hunting. 

However, we've learned here at Hunter-Ed that more hunters – old and young – are using their phones to capture their hunting experiences and share them with others. Even when hunting alone and getting back to nature, there's something about capturing a moment of solitude with a snapshot or video recording using a cell phone. 

Let's not forget the growing number of amateur videographers who hope their next successful hunt will earn them a spot in viral history.

Most hunters can find themselves with a lot of time on their hands – especially if they're in the tree stand early and nothing is moving. Keeping your hands busy with a phone is the technological progression from twiddling your thumbs – and it's better than falling asleep. 

Selfies Aside, Why Hunters Use Phones

You don't wake up before dawn, walk for miles, and sit in a tree stand for hours just to take selfies (pictures of yourself) while waiting for a buck. It's only a small part of why phones are valuable tools for hunters. 

Jim Shepherd, the editor and publisher for The Outdoor Wire Digital Network, recently wrote an article on why he takes his smartphone into the woods. Below are some ways he uses his phone while hunting.

A Compass 

When everything looks the same, it's easy to get turned around – especially if you're hunting for a new lease and not familiar with the land. Add in a sudden snowstorm or rainstorm, and your surroundings can really get hazy. 

Now, you can always look up for the northern star or feel around for some moss on an oak tree. However, with clouds and no moss, you're still lost. 

Jim relies on a simple compass app to help him determine the wind and sunrise direction and establish his shooting lanes.

Communication 

You should always let someone know where you're hunting before you leave. Even if you're hunting with a partner, someone who isn't with you should know how to find you in case of emergencies. 

Texting may be simplistic and sometimes impersonal, but it's a great method of communicating deer movement, especially because it is silent. The GroupMe app can help everyone stay on the same page for larger hunting parties.

Guides 

Every hunter wants to be a better hunter. It can mean buying more gear, spending more time at the practice range, or gaining more insight into what it means to hunt effectively. 

While in the blind, Jim read the techniques Navy SEAL firearms instructor Chris Sajnog discusses in his e-book, "How to Shoot Like a Navy SEAL." Not only did he re-evaluate his shooting technique, but he also corrected an old habit that caused him to miss in the past.

More Ways to Use Your Cell Phone on a Hunt

Aside from the ways Jim uses his phone in the field, why else would you bring it with you? When you want to travel light (and quietly) to avoid spooking your game, every piece of gear needs to serve a function. 

So, when you bring your phone, here are a few more ways to put it to good use for you during a hunt. 

Managing Game

Many hunters who share property or leases or hunt on club lands must identify mature game before they are allowed to harvest it. Most often, that's done with game cameras, but cell phones or other photos can work, too. 

That way, the whole group can decide if that's really a 160-inch 6-year-old buck or a 4-year-old buck that could be 180 inches and in the record books two years from now.

Visual Proof 

Did you really see that 8-pointer, and was it really a bad shot that no one could manage? Prove it with a picture or a video. 

Visual references are so important in how people process information. Several apps on the market allow people to record their successes with images. So, next time you see a buck the size of a mammoth, make sure you can prove it actually exists.

Maps

On the boating side, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has discontinued printing traditional paper nautical charts after 151 years. 

So, hunters, boaters, and recreationists are not carrying around paper maps like they used to. Whether you rely on Google, Apple, or a hunting app, your phone can help you find better hunting areas, mark trails, and get home safely after harvesting your game. 

Games

If you're not seeing action in the real field, you can always escape to a virtual hunting world. 

The Deer Hunter Challenge apps by Glu Games Inc. are wildly popular. Just don't confuse it with the real thing. 

No matter how you use your phone, it can be extremely useful in the field. Just be sure you know when you can kill time and when to pay attention to your surroundings. Whether you're using your phone to connect with other hunters, check the local weather, or just the time, making the off-button your favorite app is okay, too.

Use Your Cell Phone to Take a Hunting Education Course

Before you get into the field, your cell phone has another use! Use it to take an online hunting education course through Hunter-Ed so you're prepared and informed before your hunt. 

Most states require hunters to pass a hunter safety course. What better way to do it than at your convenience using your phone? You'll learn firearm safety essentials, how to stay safe in a tree stand, hunter ethics, and more. 

Find the course for your state and start learning. Our courses are 100% online, and you can also pass your exam online. 

Originally published November 27, 2023. Content updated February 7, 2023.