| Even though personal computers have been around | | | | it caused quite a stir among hunting enthusiasts as well |
| for a very long time, they really became popular in the | | | | as animal rights activists. In fact, in many circles, the |
| 1980's and have evolved into almost a necessity of life | | | | emergence of hunting video games brought about |
| for many people. However, video games really began | | | | much debate and controversy. |
| with the invention of the Atari video game system | | | | Those who enjoyed hunting in the "real world" found |
| which would eventually evolve into more in-depth and | | | | these new games exciting and a great way to get |
| more powerful game systems. One of the earliest | | | | some entertainment without leaving the comfort of |
| hunting games developed was Duck Hunt which was | | | | their own home. They saw the games as a great |
| made for the Nintendo game system. | | | | way to be able to hunt animals they might never be |
| Duck Hunt required the use of a special Nintendo | | | | able to do in real life such as bears and moose. |
| Zapper light gun that plugged directly into the system. | | | | After all, the average Midwestern hunter sees plenty |
| Players would then wait for ducks to show up on the | | | | of deer on hunting expeditions, but their chances of |
| screen which looked like a field. When the ducks came | | | | hunting bear or elk is limited without a trip someplace. |
| along, they would point and shoot. They were | | | | On the other hand, animal rights activists threw a fit |
| accompanied by a faithful hunting dog who would | | | | over these games because they perceived them as |
| laugh if the duck was missed and congratulate on a | | | | just another way to harm the animal population and |
| successful shooting. The game also allowed players to | | | | promote violence against our furry friends. Even |
| shoot clay pigeons if they chose. | | | | though the animals were just a bunch of coding made |
| There was really no ending in the Duck Hunt game, | | | | up by a software programmer somewhere, they still |
| however there were playing levels. Depending on how | | | | felt that video games promoting hunting only added to |
| good the player got, he or she would advance up to | | | | the real hunting of animals which they perceived as |
| 99 levels at which point, the game would go to level | | | | wrong. |
| 00. At that level, no ducks would appear, but you | | | | At any rate, the fact remained that hunting video |
| would hear wings flapping. After three times of no | | | | games took the market by storm and soon became |
| ducks appearing, the game would be "over". | | | | some of the most popular selling games and software |
| After Duck Hunt, there were many other hunting video | | | | around. Software developers began to make these |
| games that would begin to emerge on the market | | | | games much more challenging offering up different |
| including Deer Hunter, Big Game Hunter, and | | | | options for players that would make the games more |
| Dangerous Hunts. Most of these games began for | | | | enjoyable. |
| video game consoles like Nintendo, but the computer | | | | Today, there are hundreds of hunting video games for |
| industry would soon become more and more involved | | | | enthusiasts to choose from that have evolved into |
| as these games began to rise in popularity. While | | | | truly challenging games. Some may think that a point |
| opinions vary as to which hunting video game was the | | | | and click game where you can "down" a virtual deer |
| first one developed for the home computer, many | | | | might be a bit boring, but those who love these games |
| think that it was called "The Hunting Game" and was | | | | disagree wholeheartedly. |
| made by Oquirrh Productions. The Hunting Game | | | | They provide not only entertainment, but also a way to |
| allowed players to hunt for mule, deer, elk, and white | | | | hone their hunting skills at any time of the day or night. |
| tail deer from 48 separate locations. You were | | | | When you spend a certain amount of time honing your |
| allowed to use a rifle, a bow, or a muzzle loader to | | | | tracking skills on the computer, chances are pretty |
| hunt your prey. You also could hunt for turkey or | | | | good that you'll be able to use those skills while hunting |
| water fowl from 18 separate locations. | | | | for real. |
| When The Hunting Game first came onto the market, | | | | |