The first time that I stumbled upon the iBowSight I found myself taking quick glance at the calendar; my fears were confirmed, it was not April 1st.  I was really hoping that this whole idea of using your iPhone as a bow sight was a joke.

iCantBelieveThisThingIsReal.

So, what is the iBowSight?  The idea is to mount your iPhone in a special bracket and then use your phone in place of a typical bow sight.  The iPhone will be using its built-in optics while running a special application that will allow you to use the phone’s screen as the sight.  I’ll admit there are some technological advantages to this.  By taking advantage of the sensors in the phone, the application can account for things such as torque and shot angle.  Not only that, but the app allows you to customize your “sight” in a variety of ways, including – number of pins, colors of pins, size of pins, pin placement, ring size, ring color, etc.  In my opinion, the coolest feature is the fact that you can use the iPhone’s built in camera to record your hunt.

So, the question begs to be asked – Will anyone actually use this thing?

I did some brief searching online, and in several places (mainly forums) I found bowhunters discussing the iBowSight.  To my surprise, many of them were excited about it.  The iBowSight has some cool factor, and some would even say some “wow” factor, although I wouldn’t go that far.  But actually using this thing for hunting?  No way!

Some time ago I wrote about the fact that bowhunting is supposed to be simple.  I still feel that way, and although I use a modern bow, with modern arrows, and modern accessories (fiber optics, stabilizers, etc.), I have to draw the line with adding electronics to my bow.

However, that is me.  Do you agree?  Disagree?  I would really love to hear where my readers land on this one.

Additionally, let me clarify something before I wrap this up.  We as hunters walk a fine line when we critique or question other hunters.  On one hand we should be as united as possible, and as for one another as possible, even if we don’t agree on certain aspects of another hunters equipment or methods.  (Assuming that he or she is being ethical.)  But on the other hand, I do feel that it is okay, and even necessary to question “innovations” that are making their way into the hunting world.  We are moving ever-closer to losing the true spirit and nature of the hunt, and I for one don’t want to see the day come when we have so automated and “improved” ourselves that we lose what we were trying to improve.

So, what say you?