Last night my phone charger went kaput and my battery was very low. So I let my family know in case anyone needs me; call or text Chuckie.
Phone went dead about 7 PM and this morning I went to check traps and walk around the woods with the cricket. Stopped at giant Eagle for a sack of onions and then picked up a new charger.

It was almost surreal not having a cell phone in my pocket and really not worrying.
I’m ashamed at how much we rely on them, myself included. My worst fear tho today was “what if I catch something today and I can’t take a picture?” Because I have NO clue where my digital camera is these days.

In all honesty , cell phones have ruined us. If someone can’t get a hold of you RIGHT AWAY, it’s like the world is ending.

Amen! I’m basically on call 24 7 so when I get a break from mine it’s quite a relief. Eric

I used to carry a camera for those times I wanted a picture. I have boxes full and albums full. have lost quite a few digital photos. Can you still buy and get film developed?

Lol like leave ME ALONE!!

Phones aren’t even made for talking anymore. I HATE trying to talk to my mom on the cell phone. It’s like trying to hold a deck of cards against your ear. There’s nothing to hold onto.

Yes you can! I was just researching that (on my cell phone ha ha)
At my friends wedding just this summer she had those little disposable cameras on the tables

Well Ashley, you can turn it off when you want to. That hopefully will help !

I have a new Iphone 14 , with no cell service. I got it for the superior camera and video capability . It is so good and fast to use, I can even take quality photos of large art that won't fit in my scanner, with great results. I really like it. Fast , easy to use with very good pixel images with the cam.

Maybe someday I'll choose a cell service plan , if I will be going on an extended trip . But for now it's fine as is.

Have fun, Ashley, either way.

It's nice to have the technology regardless, IMO.

Sharon , they DO take beautiful pictures. I probably honestly need to upgrade. This is an iphone7 and my last one was an iPhone 4. My sister in California sends me her old ones because I’m kind of a miser when it comes to spending money on anything other than hunting, trapping and pet supplies.

They rule a person's life no doubt about that. I love when I'm at the ranch no service and I actually love it but it is on my mind what if family needs to get in touch with me. So, they rule for sure.

Yezzum, they are better and better. Even the ones that arent new models, like what I have , are great. They are upgrading and improving as time goes along. And I do like their small flat form, easily fits into small pockets and fast to open and use. If there are no small pockets or place to stow it at the time, it even fits in the....ah....upper body skivvies easily , lol.

The models that are new but slightly older are less in cost and do a great job. For me, a good quality cam and small computer is part of my job and needed for me. So worth the investment, for me.

When I still worked my company suddenly gave us crew leaders cell phones. It was next to impossible to get things done with secretaries and higher ups calling you and wanting you to talk to them ASAP.
The day I turned that phone in was great lol
I keep mine on me now but usually have all the buzzers and whistles turned off. I look at it occasionally and respond to what messages I deem important.
But you're right. I have come to rely on mine for many things. But if you don't keep up with technology a little bit you really get left in the dust. I never carry mine on the trap line. Most of my pictures of animals are when I get back to the barn.

I like tailgate pics for sure but I want that up close curious face when I reach them. That may change when I get one who wants to tear my head off !

Use my phone mostly as a camera.

The blasted thangs have a off button

Like anything else in life that can become a vice. You control it, don’t let it control you.

And they do take great photos.

I tell people they have a better chance at seeing Bigfoot or being abducted by aliens than to see me with a smartphone in my hands. I use it solely as a phone and do not do internet stuff on it at all. I have a life.

My wife gets mad if I am not accessible by phone,,,,,, I have four business lines, so I look like a dealer.
I just got mailed the new iPhones,,,,, that will help because you can put two numbers on one phone.

I have my phone with me about 5% of the time. About 3/4 of the call I get are spam. I don’t live my life around a phone, except in a deer stand. That’s when I play two hours of solitaire. At our deer camp we can’t get phone service, and that is nice except when you want to know who won a ball game.

I'm on mine Now...Tman

I carry mine every day on the trapline zipped up in a waterproof pocket of my waders not only for pictures but for safety. I'm 75 and if I get in a bind and need help I can call somebody. We also have an app for tracking where my wife and son know where I am at all times. I don't worry so much about pushing myself alittle further than I might otherwise not do without it. The wife knows not to call me unless their is an emergency.

until my elderly Mom was having serious health issues, I hardly EVER had my phone with me. I used to tell folks the WORST way to get me, was by cell phone. that did change with her injury...I had to be available for her health care decisions.

I use it more now than I did. but I won't turn around to retrieve it, if I happen to leave home without it.

What's the modern name for the person that does not own one?

Lucky.

I get tired of the dang thing too, but they sure make business easier.

I had a blackberry once for about a year. Still don't miss it.

I use a flip phone. I had a smart phone for 3 years, and found myself on it 2-3 hours a day, that was 2-3 hours a day of lost productivity. I love having a flip phone now, and looking back, can see I was vey much addicted to my smart phone.

Technology addiction is real. Wanna know what it's like being a drug addict? Don't use your phone for 24 hours, and see how often you think about it. Then tell yourself you're going to quit using it for good, and see how hard it is. Tell yourself it's easy, you can quit anytime you want, and see how easy (or not) it really is.

At it's peak, in the 1950's, 54% of Americans smoked cigarettes. Just over half. Now, 0ver 90% of Americans, including kids, carry a smart phone and most have a behavioral addiction to it.

It's even worse for kids with developing brains. We'd never give our kids cocaine or cigarettes, but most people give their kids a smart phone without a second thought. Society tells us we're a good parent for doing it. The average 8-10 year old spends 6 hours a day on electronics, and the average 11-14 year old spends 9 hours a day. Almost all of that time is just wasted. That doesn't bode well for our future; a generation of people that spend well over half their waking hours starting a screen wasting time.

X2 loosegoose !


I had a flip phone in the summer of 2005. Never again ! I love being beyond reach.

I'm 14 and proud to say I don't even have my own phone; but us kids share a flip phone that I take with me if I'm going hunting by myself, or to work or something cuz my mom likes to be able to contact me if she needs to.

"A few hours of peace". That's the car ride on the way to the in-laws.

My mom likes to torture me if she knows I’m out and about. Won’t let me relax whatsoever!
I’m proud of you for not following suit with the rest of this goofy world

Have always been a flip phone man. Started out with a bag phone many years ago.

No wonder you can’t see my pictures!

Doin't have a phone.
Haven't had one for several years.
Don't really want one, but
it's really starting to be a PITA!

I retired 1/02/2024. Have been on call 24/7 since 6/1/2002. Went from Land line voice mail, pager, to cell phone. No more. I have found peace)))))))!!!! Literally!!!!!
Merry Xmas to all .To those on call. Remember keep things running!!!!!

… I didn’t read all of that… but congratulations on being able to type complete sentences.

Ted Kaczynski wrote about that. All the technology seems optional at first, but eventually becomes mandatory.

As long as there’s no cell service, a power outage is super peaceful! I think that’s why I sleep so well at the shack, once the little generator/inverter is off, the signal booster stops and it’s absolutely quiet. Just the odd fart, fire crackles and someone having a nightmare…lol