Art Champoux
Technohunt Archery Systems
The screen says, "Timed out, no points!”

The deer is standing 20 yards away and behind a tree. Should you shoot or should you wait for a better shot?  The birds are chipping and the limbs are blowing in the breeze. Another deer comes into view, a doe, and it is a clean shot. Which should you take? You only have seconds to choose. The blood is rising in your head and the choice is yours. Then the screen says, "Timed out, no points!”

You have just been blanked by one the most realistic, heart stopping, backslapping, high tech experiences in archery, the Technohunt video system from Advanced Interactive Systems.

The other two hunters beside you made their choice. One had a body shot and the one on the left had a bull's-eye (heart shot).  All at the same deer. The hunter on the left was shooting a recurve the one in the center was shooting a compound and the one on the right shooting a longbow.  They could shoot at the same animal.

Adaptability

The Technohunt system is one that allows shooters a lot of versatility. After logging into the system with the shops computer you are in there for good.  The Technohunt allows three shooters to shoot at the same time and at the same animal if you choose to do so. In many scenes you have the ability to choose the animal in which to shoot at. In some cases there are two or three animals to pick from. Some in back of trees, some in back of blow-downs, some in the open and some in open fields. From gophers to polar bears and every thing in between.

Also you can change the range from 20, 40 or 60 yards. Want the wind blowing leafs and branches in front of you?  No problem, just tell them at the start and it can be programmed.

How about target shooting?  That is no problem either. Want to shoot at floating balloons?  How about red and white targets, again just ask.

Bow hunt around the world

Depending on what the shop has in stock one can shoot African game, North American game, Alaskan game or a wide variety of game that are stored on large, laser discs. The ten by twelve screen brings the animals to life along with the noise and the realism that puts you right in the middle of it all.

Speed

What we have found at Big Al’s Archery is that the speed at which the arrow hits the screen, approximately 20 yards down range is 20 fps less then that when it leaves the bow. That is approximately one foot per second, per yard either carbon or aluminum. Think of that when you shoot outside. Arrow speed should drop faster the farther out you shoot. 

Score

The system is set up to shoot five arrows. Special cone tips are installed on your arrows before you enter the range. The tips come in weights from 75 to 145 grains.  After shooting at five targets the screen informs you to pick up your arrows and tighten tips. Five more targets will come on the screen individually to shoot at. After each scene you will see your score for that scene, your individual cumulative score to that point, the arrow speed for that shot and the actual impact point on the animal … miss, body shot, bull's-eye, obstruction or vital area. The score depends on where you hit the animal.

Bows

Like I said earlier, any bow will do. I have shot my longbow, my recurve and my compound at the system — all work. You will be amazed at the speed at which they shoot, some good, some not so good.  One of my older longbows did 120 fps while my teardrop compound did 220 fps while my Fastflite set at 50 pounds did 200 fps. One of my recurve bows set at 47 pounds did 145 fps.

Cost

Depending where you shoot, the cost varies. An hour shooting time usually runs anywhere from eight dollars an hour to twelve dollars an hour. Figure half of that for half an hour to one quarter of that for 15 minutes.

Leagues

The system allows the shop to set up leagues. Summer leagues in an air-conditioned setting are nice. The winter leagues are very popular. Spring leagues and fall leagues are great in getting ready for 3-D and keeping your form in shape for hunting.

Computer sheets

Want to keep track of your progress? Well the system does it for you. After an hour or half an hour of shooting it reads out your score and also your average for that time frame.  Week after week you can see your progress so you always know what you are doing in relation to your own Shooting skills and equipment.

Ratings 1 is lowest, 5 is highest

Versatility 5
Ease of use 5
Realism 5
Fun 5
Scenes 5
Scores 5
Challenge 5
Cost 5

If you want to sight in your bow this is the system to do it at twenty yards. If you want challenge at all conditions of hunting this is the system to do it on. If you want to do the system alone that is an option. If you want to challenge your hunting partner(s) for some incredible competitive fun, bring them in to shoot this system.  And, this system is a challenge. If you want to have fun, shoot, laugh and enjoy the Technohunt you will find that Advanced Interactive Systems has a winner with this great means of hunting all year round in rain, snow, heat or cold. 

Call-up your nearest pro shop and see if they have Technohunt. If they do don't miss it. This is high tech archery fun at its best.

Visit Tedchnohunt on the Internet at www.bowhunting.net/advancedinteractivesystems

Arthur Champoux has years of experience in the outdoors.  He is has served on many  advisory staffs and is a member in good standing of many outdoor organizations.  Art currently works for Big Al's Archery in Seabrook, NH and writes for several publications.

 

 


 

 
 

 
1. BowTech BK2
2. Mathews Black Max2 Turbo
3. BowTech Pro40 Dually
4. BowTech Patriot Dually
5. BowTech Extreme VFT

Complete List

 

 

Turbo Nocks replace an arrow's fletching and nock with a one-piece solution. And, they can be shot through a Whisker Biscuit.
 More …