Installation:  I received a CD ROM from Buck Spy and installed from the CD.  The software installation was very easy and guided me thru each step.  The installer updated my pc with all necessary technologies including Microsoft .Net frame work.  The final step in the install is to provide a key code supplied with the packaging behind the cd rom.  This will unlock the features of the application for use.  As I started the application the first time it detected that an update was available and allowed me to activate a download/update.  It did all this in the background and told me when it was completed.  This is a very nice feature.  It makes getting updates a very simple and easy process.  It does require an internet connection however.

The user manual is an Adobe Acrobat format document that is an optional download from the Buck Spy web site.  I downloaded this in seconds to my pc from the main page on their website.  It is an easy to read 27 page document providing a brief guide to operating the system.

Software Overview

After reading the help you learn that your information is organized in Journals.  You create a journal for each different property you hunt, identified with the zip code and address information.  You then associate People (Hunters/Observers), Properties and Locations to this journal.

Each location is a point of reference and has a type.  These are: Camera Position, Food Plot, Ground Blind, Hunting Camp, Point of Reference and Tree Stand.

Initially, there is some set up required as you can see.  I spent an hour both learning and setting up these features.  You will create your journal, properties, hunters, and locations and other lists in the database.  This is a simple process.  Once you have this done, you can begin to make journal entries.  Journal entries are created by date.  Keep in mind that at any time, even during a journal entry you can add a person, a location, a task, etc.  This is a nice feature. You are presented with a calendar and can select a date and add/review/change one or more entries on that date.

A journal entry has a type.  The types are: General Entry, General Wildlife Entry, Habitat Entry, Whitetail Observation/Harvest Entry, and Whitetail Sign entry.  Here is a brief description of some of the entries I have used thus far:

General Entry: Provides the ability to simply create some notes and associate a photo.  An entry type can be converted to another type in case you change your mind.

General Wildlife Entry: Basically provides for notes, image and time.

Habitat Entry: In this entry type you specify a description, task type (use a custom type, or a built in type) such as plant crops, controlled burn, liming, soil test result, maintain mineral lick, etc.  You can add your own task types to extend the built in list.  There are details associated with each task type as well. You can supply a photo, associated people, time of task, duration, image and entry notes.

White Tail Observation/Harvest:  This entry pertains particularly to deer sightings either with a camera, while hunting or scouting.  You specify number of deer seen, type - buck or doe, time observed, weather info, details such as whether doe has fawns or is pregnant, and optional harvest information.  The harvest info allows specific details about each kill, which deer was killed, where, sex, time of day, weight, photo of kill, etc.

White Tail Sign Entry: While hunting or scouting, you may discover various types of deer sign and catalog these with this type of entry.  Types are bedding, trail, feeding, scat, rub, scrape, etc... Associate a location, hunter/observer, property, GPS info.

Many of the entries allow for GPS longitude/latitude information.

The system provides reports of your data.  At this point I have not accumulated enough entry data to get meaningful reports. check back in a couple of weeks for more on this.

My test plan:  Over the next two to three weeks I will continue to use the software and create journal entries from activity on my hunting property.  I will give a final write up at this time.  Overall, I am impressed with the software, ease of installation, use and quality.  I am a software engineer by trade and realize this software uses the state of the art design tools.  This is not antiquated or out dated technology.  I am running a higher end machine with Windows XP and the software operates quickly.

Tuesday, March 7, 2006: This concludes the assessment.

Over the last several weeks I have used this application.  It is a well written application and easy to use.  The data input screens and formatting are intuitive and easy to use.  I like the reports and analysis provided from the input data, however, I do feel that quite a lot of time goes into inputting and cataloging the photos and associated data.  Many folks who like the  organization this system will provide should be very pleased.  You should be prepared to put work into this if you want to get information out of it.  I give this product a thumbs up.

-Anthony