Dutch,

It's just to communicate with each other every once and awhile not to aid in the taking of an animal. We'll actually be over in your neck of the woods looking for moose on the river.

Nathan

The only time I've seen them (2-way radios) in the field they were used to ambush elk in New Mexico. That's the problem with "for emergency only", it very seldom stays that way.

To much competition by guides and outfitters to turn in those high success rates, to attract more customers. Makes people blur the legal / ethical line.

A man I know is going to hunt elk in Central New Mexico this fall. The outfitter mentioned to him that he was going to fly the area with a chopper a few days in advance to spot the elk. It may be legal, but it certainly sounds borderline from the ethical standpoint.

I'd like to see what everyone is using for hunting and/or their recommendations. Price isn't a huge concern within reason (say 150/each or less). Range and clarity are the biggest concerns.

Nathan

I don't like them for hunting at all. Ethically, I have no use for them, and in some states I think they may be illegal.

Using radios while hunting is illegal in ID. FWIW, Dutch.

Using radios while hunting is illegal in Alaska.

its legal in Texas

Two-way communications cannot be used while hunting and can only be used in the field in the case of emergencies in Montana. CP.

Since you DIDN'T ask whether or not they were legal, I will answer your question about the radios! Midland GXT-200, 7 mile range, 22 channels, great reception, $32/ pair.

To add my two bits to the ethics don't have much to do with it my opinion because:

1) They are used in my family only to make connections following an appointed meeting time.

2) Trying to pinpoint game with them (hey Jack, they are headed your way!) isn't practical, knowing how game reacts to the human voice.

3) For peace of mind and keeping kids from getting lost they are MORE than worthwhile.

All my buddies carry them and on one of the ranches I guide on all guides are required to carry them for emergency purposes. Kill a bull at dark, get to him, pictures, cape and quarter, then start the long hike out. We send out the rescue crews at about 1030 pm. It has saved our bacon to get on the radio and communicate with the guide and his hunter.

Most of us use the Garmin Rhino. Ok range, but has GPS built in. Great tool as it marks the location of the other users and can plot a course directly to them by them only keying their mike. Great saftey tool. Thus I have a radio and GPS combo. I have used the GPS this year tracking a wounded antelope. Instead of tying flagging tape to the brush to create a trail if the blood is thin and slow, I simply mark the way points. I can then go back to the last blood, or look at the trend and direction of travel.

It has also helped me find the truck in the darkest of night and snowstorms.

It has also allowed me to see how close to the state line I am as I hunt close to the WYO border on the Utah ranch.

I agree with the ethics and legal concerns, but for saftey, utility and security, they can't be beat.

I have 4 Motorola radios and would buy them again.



For those who've never used a radio - They're very handy. In NE, we can use them while hunting as long as we don't use them to communicate information on game. One of the main reasons I think they're a good idea is for safety. When someone's hurt/lost, every second may count and radios are a great tool in this department. Safety aside, they also make it very easy to coordinate goings-on/departure times, etc. In addition, they're handy when caravaning in an area that doesn't have cell reception. This helps coordinate pit stops/directions (and also gives kids something fun to do ).

I have a set. Most of the time they are used when I'm hunting near my home. I leave one on in the house so I can radio my wife and tell her to fix me something to eat!~

Our hunting group has been carrying walkie talkies since I was a boy, still carry them when hunting for contacting each other, usually once an hour at a set time. We have been using the Cobra 45WX handheld CBs with the aux antennae for about 6-8 yrs now. The rubber duck antennaes are a joke when you get into rough country where the terrain interferres with radio transmission. The extra antennae length makes the difference. We've tried GMRS but they were of little use too, probably cuz of their little antennaes. Using the radios has saved our misplaced hunters more than once. In '69, my dad spent the night on Mt St Helens due to not getting out by dark, too steep and rocky to travel at night, but we knew he was OK cuz of the radio, he walked out the next day.

If you hunt in fairly flat terrain, the GMRS will probably work for ya, but by federal law, you need to buy licenses to use them legally. GMRS are small, light and compact. FRS radios are less powerful and no license is needed. We stuck with the handheld CBs for their power and not needing a license, and they have worked for us in the mountains of Washington for the better part of 50yrs, although the more recent compact designs of hand held CBs have worked the best.

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/generalmobile/