Camera Gun Would Let Hunters Get Killer Wildlife Shots 263
Zothecula writes "Not too long ago, brothers Randy and Michael Gregg were out on a hunting expedition. It was the day after deer season had ended, yet they spied a handsome animal bedded down in the snow. Not wanting to pass up an opportunity, they silently crept up on their quarry, raised their rifle, lined the deer up in the crosshairs ... and then took a picture through the scope with a mobile phone. That photo provided all the proof they needed that they had successfully stalked their prey, without bringing home an illegally-obtained carcass. It also inspired them to create the Kill Shot — a replica hunting rifle, that takes pictures instead of firing bullets." The Kill Shot isn't just for hunters. Think of how great this would be at sporting events or family reunions!
Re:Problematic (Score:5, Informative)
I think a replica rifle is liable to cause some consternation at your average sporting event.
Or your average airport - don't take one on holidays with you.
Russians did it before these guys (Score:4, Informative)
http://www.cryptomuseum.com/covert/sniper/index.htm [cryptomuseum.com]
Hooray for the russians!!
The Photo Sniper was initially made for the Russian market. The text on the camera body, on the pistol grip and on the container was in Russian. ÐÐzÐÐz ÐÐÐÐ(TM)ÐYÐÐ means FOTO SNAIPER (Photo Sniper). The container was usually painted in the typical Russian grey hammerite colour.
Re:'Kill shot' cameras (Score:5, Informative)
Re:'Kill shot' cameras (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Too bad these are so new. (Score:4, Informative)
Yep, those have been readily available for quite a while. Wild-life photographers like the stock holders because they make working with a very long lens a much simpler affair. They also help with providing a more stable base so you get less blur and thus can use a slower shutter speed at very long focal distances.
Re:'Kill shot' cameras (Score:5, Informative)
I get so sick of this sentiment. I am a hunter. I know many, many people who hunt. You don't hunt for the pleasure of killing - you hunt for the "thrill of the hunt". It's a base desire to be a predator. And, yes, part of that fulfillment is when you squeeze the trigger or release the arrow. But, that moment is celebrated for the completion of the hunt - not the act of killing.
To put this in perspective, a common part of hunting is "finishing the kill". This is where you have mortally wounded the animal (eg, a lung shot to a deer), but it is bleeding out still and not entirely dead. Once all threat of the animal getting up and injuring the hunter is removed the hunter will use a knife to quickly finish the kill. I don't know anyone who enjoys this - and that's the actual moment the animal dies. It makes you feel weird having to do it. I can't really express the emotion well with written words, but it's definitely not a good feeling.
TLDR; Hunters are in it for the rush of the hunt, not the actual kill.
Re: killing other living things (Score:4, Informative)
Humans can't live without killing other living things. Until we learn to photosynthesize, that is. You just sound like someone who doesn't want to think about where his dinner came from.
This is definitely not news... Just an advertising (Score:2, Informative)
Rifles that shoot photos instead of bullets were already promoted in the 80's. I remember them in my old man's shooting magazines and on TV documentaries. Food for thought, consider such US patents as 4630911 (app. 1984), 4907022 (app. 1988) and 5845165 (app. 1997), as well as a whole host of others for all sorts of subtle variations on the same theme (such as patents often are).
As far as "ideas" go, there is nothing news worthy in the KillShot. I proffer that this article is nothing more than an advertisement.