Mule Deer: Spotting scope a necessity or a nice to have?

[tbrady]

Hi All,

I'm curious how many of you guys use a spotting scope while mule deer hunting and how helpful you've found it.  I'm considering changing my "tactics" a bit this year and trying a spotting scope on those slow afternoons as opposed to laying down with binocs stuck to my head for several hours.

I have a lot of luck locating deer that are upright with my 10x42 binocs,  but a much harder time locating bedded deer.  Anyway, if you have an opinion on it I'd like to hear it!

thanks!
tim

[yelp]

I have two..I like to use them to spot in the field and from the vehicle.  It helps you judge the buck before going after him.  Also can help seeing that third point others Cant'! 

[coachcw]

yes a must , it will save your legs . my plan for mule deer is to spot spot spot.

[snocobearhunter]

most important piece of equipment i have and i use it on almost every hunt i go on

[Bean Counter]

Did someone say spotting scope? When I go to the private land I have access to for whitetail deer or elk, I can do without? Mule deer? Wouldn't leave home without it. Just too far and wide open to live without. 

I have a Nikon ED 82mm with a wide angle 30x. I am contemplating a 75x wide angle for even greater distance.  I bought an angled scope and I definitely recommend a straight scope. Much easier to keep a low profile when you're on top of a hill. 

Be prepared to be depressed because you tagged out opening morning 

[squeeze2drop]

well if u need a spotting scope as your last ditch effort to put that 3rd point on him then in my opinion, its not worth it, cuz for me at this point, i want a bigger rack, but there is no wrong answer, ive used one and it saved me a lot of walking, but again, depends what kind of hunter u are, u hunting for meat or rack? USUALLY if u are hunting for rack, u only need binocs, but then again, if u are hunting open country, u would need it, ok im gonna shutup cuz now im thinkin i need a spottin scope  

[eastside boy]

I used the heck out of mine a few years back during a late permit season....looked over a lot of bucks.  Also use it during archery seasons alot now.  For example....we spoted (using binos) what we thought looked like a heavy rack sticking out of the brush at maybe 800 - 1,000 yards......we all agreed that it was probably some old burnt grease wood, but decided to get the scope out for a second opinion......it ended up being a really nice buck bedded.  Long story short, I put a stalk on it and was putting my tag on him 30 minutes later!!!  I probably never would have decided to investigate further if I didn't have that scope put to use.  So, yes I consider a scope a necessity.

[carpsniperg2]

i use mine all the time. helps save a lot of time, because you know what type of buck it is threw the glass.

[400out]

almost as important as your gun 

[tbrady]

Thanks fellas... I done did go ahead and order me one    (thanks for giving me the necessary "justification")

[ICEMAN]

IMHO, I feel that alot of the scopes on the market are too damn big, powerful and heavy. I have a smaller spotting scope and I use the crap out of it. Only on occassion is it a bit weak regarding magnification. I have noticed my buddy who has a massive scope...ends up keepin it in it's case most of the time because it is awkward.  Another issue with the larger scopes is that they seem too heavy for a normal tripod. Any bit of wind blowing and they are useless.   

[ICEMAN]

It is a pretty old Leupold straight tube 20 x 50mm. Small enough to pack on the outside of my daypack with a lightweight tripod. Hike in, set up, spot, move, do it again. Try that with a bazooka...

I would definitely buy this model again and am always on the look out for a replacement.

[rasbo]

dont use mine much on the wetside,but for open areas,hell yeah, good luck with your new spotter

[halflife65]

I have the same one as ICEMAN and would recommend something like that.  20x seems to be enough in most circumstances and it is easy to pack around.  Having said that, I'm saving for my next scope - probably a Swaro 65mm if I can hold out long enough to get together the $2600 that it takes to buy one these days.

I think that the combo of the smaller Leupold with the larger one for closer to the truck (or when I know that it will be absolutely critical and I'm willing to carry the extra weight) will be perfect pair.

I also use Swaro 10x42s and that's REAL helpful.

[highside74]

I went east for the first time with a buddy to hunt mule deer opening weekend. The first day we didn't carry my spotter because my non archery hunting partner wanted to carry his rifle for bears. We saw 1 buck and 5 doe's. The 3rd day alone with my friends rifle in the truck and him carrying the spotter we saw 16 bucks and 14 doe's. We decided to leave the rifle in the truck from then on. So I would say a spotter is a must. I have the Leupold Goldring 12-45x60 and it is worth every penny. Barely over 3lbs and crystal clear.

[WAcoueshunter]

I think it really depends on where you hunt.  There is plenty of prime mule deer country where the spotter will never come out because the country is small or not open enough and your binos are better suited.  But where it's big and open, the spotter really comes in handy. 

[OltHunter]

after my adventure friday, i wont be going in the field without one!  i think it depends on your hunting area, if you can see a long ways, its a necessity to have one.  using your scope to glass a buck 1000 yards away isn't the best.  like someone said before, you can find a 3rd point that others can't or you could pass up a bedded buck that you can't see with your binoc or scope.  everything i've read is scan the area first with your eyes, then go over it with your binocs, and then pick it apart with your spotting scope.  if you follow this and there is a buck in the area, you will find it.

now if you a clear cut hunter or hunt other places where your visibility doesn't get much more than 500 yards, i'd say nice to have.

[MtnMuley]

I think it really depends on where you hunt.  There is plenty of prime mule deer country where the spotter will never come out because the country is small or not open enough and your binos are better suited.  But where it's big and open, the spotter really comes in handy. 

Spot on.  I always have a spotter in the truck in case I need it, and in that aspect, it's definately a necessity.  90% of the time, I pack mine anyway, and as highside74 said, at 3lbs, you really don't even notice it.

[haugenna]

Definately a necessity for mule deer.  I got the swaro 65mm in my pack.  It seems to do just fine.  THere are lighter ones out there, to each his own.  I like the one I have.  I put it on a small nikon tripod that sits between my legs and gets layed down when I am not using it.  I don't want to tip it over and ram a rock into the objective.

[turkey slayer]

I never leave home without mine hell it never comes out of my truck off of the window mount in til hunting season it goes on the tripod. I can't tell you how many times I have seen a little kicker that made it be a legal  or and eye guard that looked like an inch through the binos but through the spotting scope it was 3/4.

[WDFW-SUX]

Ive got a Leupold compact I carry goes to 20x. 

10x42 swaro EL's

and a 3x9x40 Ziess.

[rosscrazyelk]

Whatever you do don't go cheap. I used my old spotting scope  this weekend and it was o.k but when you wanted to zoom in it was horrible. Some bulls I could not tell how big they were.. Unfortunately I can't afford to get a good one before my hunt this year, so stuck with the crappy one til I can buy one next year. Hopefully.
Quality does cost unforunately

[WonkyWapiti]

I hunt wide open sage country and a spotting scope is a must for me.  I've used my buddies in the past but that became problematic when we split up.  I made the decision to by my own after hiking in to some deer I had seen without the scope only to find out they weren't legal once I got close.  The scope will be an integral item in my pack this year.

[grundy53]

Thanks guys    now I have to go buy a new spotting scope....

[DOUBLELUNG]

You absolutely do not need a spotting scope for mule deer hunting.  It is, though, nearly indispensable for mule deer killing.  IMHO.

[ribka]

Need a spotting scope in the high country and sage. Learned a few years ago after spotting mule deer with my 10x50's . Had to hike a mile to see if the were does or legal bucks. Learned my lesson and purchased a scope.
It's only money

[PolarBear]

They are useless where I hunt for mulies.  You can't see more than 200 yards at a pop so lugging around a spotter is just wasted weight and space.

[Pathfinder101]

I hunt the southeast part of the state, and I wouldn't be caught dead without one.  Not just hunting either.  My spotting scope goes wherever I do.  If I am driving my work rig, my spotter is next to the seat.  If I am in my truck, spotter sits on the center console.  If we take my wifes Yukon, the first thing that gets thrown in is the spotter.  All year long (there's always SOMETHING to look at) The people I work with joke about it.  In fact, I have to get a second scope, now that you mention it....

[boneaddict]

I have one.  Never carry it hunting.  COuld use it, would love tot have it, but make do without it.  Wish I had the cash for a lighter nicer one.  I don't.   I could certainly utilze one in the alpine stuff, other than that I am in deep and they are of no use. 

[400out]

I have one bone want to trade? sure could us a top of the line camera!  ( not the one that rolled down the hill  )

[MtnMuley]

They are useless where I hunt for mulies.  You can't see more than 200 yards at a pop so lugging around a spotter is just wasted weight and space.

That's the area that falls into my 10% of the time that I leave it in the truck.

[gadwall]

I have two..I like to use them to spot in the field and from the vehicle.  It helps you judge the buck before going after him.  Also can help seeing that third point others Cant'! 

I use mine a lot for the same reasons.

Gadwall.

[bullchaser]

Our newest addition to the family.

[halflife65]

Congratulations, Bullchaser.  I can babysit if you need me to.  Especially in September and November.  I'll take it out for a full day of "activities."  And they won't involve crayons or construction paper.

[Ryan]

I don't think is is a 100% must have...... BUT Almost.  If you can afford to buy one........DO IT.  

[coachcw]

my nikon isnt a swaro but its lighter and 1/3 the cost I feel for under a grand its a strong value .

[Pathfinder101]

my nikon isnt a swaro but its lighter and 1/3 the cost I feel for under a grand its a strong value .

What model Nikon did you get coach?  (I am shopping right now, that's why I am asking...)

[halflife65]

I think that the Nikon EDs have a good reputation, but I've never used one. Sometimes birding forums are a good place to optics reviews.  I think that the ED50 is supposed to be pretty good - lightweight and packable and at a reasonable price (for optics).  It costs a lot less than my binos, anyway.


http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=112452

Another review.

I bought one of these a couple of months back—my previous scope had bitten the dust and my local dealer was offering the rose champagne version of the ED50 at a special price, so it seemed a no-brainer, especially after I'd lined it up on the finches and tits on their feeders 50 yards away and been wowed. I summoned my girlfriend, who'd waited in the car whilst I checked out the possibility/price of getting the old scope fixed, and she was wowed too, which settled it. She isn't that wowed that often, at least by optical equipment and fishing rods.

Brightness and resolution are outstanding, better than many middle-range scopes with 70mm-80mm objectives; I'd have to pay a lot more and go up to the big-brother ED82 or Swarowski to see a real improvement, I think, and I suspect that would only be evident at very high magnifications. Do I want to lug one of those and a commensurately beefy tripod about the Pyrenees or the Scottish Highlands? Not really. It's actually practicable to hand-hold the ED50 at low-to-mid magnification, especially in a hide. I'm thinking of marrying it up to a Cullman rifle-stock for when I'm out on my own.

I think I'll invest in the 27x WA in the near future, particularly for digiscoping, which I've just begun. The old model zoom the ED came with is a very nice lens, but the small exit pupil doesn't seem ideal, although I did manage a couple of semi-acceptable efforts.

My favorite line from the review:  "so it seemed a no-brainer, especially after I'd lined it up on the finches and tits on their feeders 50 yards away and been wowed."

Under those circumstances, I wouldn't be looking at any stupid finches.

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks halflife.  The gayness of that review made my eyes hurt too, but I fought through it and got the point.  I guess we can all line up on "finches and tits" from time to time.  OK, maybe not finches.

thanks anyway...

[halflife65]

Thanks halflife.  The gayness of that review made my eyes hurt too, but I fought through it and got the point.  I guess we can all line up on "finches and tits" from time to time.  OK, maybe not finches.

thanks anyway...

Hard to believe the guy claims he has a girlfriend.  Maybe she's "from Canada" and "you'll probably never get a chance to meet her."

Anyway, you can probably steer clear of the rose colored version and just go with the black if you're worried about it.   

[Pathfinder101]

Thanks halflife.  The gayness of that review made my eyes hurt too, but I fought through it and got the point.  I guess we can all line up on "finches and tits" from time to time.  OK, maybe not finches.

thanks anyway...

Hard to believe the guy claims he has a girlfriend.  Maybe she's "from Canada" and "you'll probably never get a chance to meet her."

Anyway, you can probably steer clear of the rose colored version and just go with the black if you're worried about it.   

Actually, I re-read it.  Are we even sure that it's a guy...?

[halflife65]

Good point.  Probably saw those finches and tits on the way home from the Seattle Storm game.

Anyway, back on topic.  I have used the Gold Ring 12X40X60 and it's good.  My dad has one.  I don't know how much better the HD version is - I think if I was buying new I'd get it but wouldn't worry about it too much if you're going used.

I've been saving for a new spotter but decided I could live with my little Leupy 25X50mm one more year and keep saving for a Swaro.  It'll take another year of saving to afford one.

[coachcw]

I have the prostaff 20x60x82mm , so far so good wieghs 43 oz, about a lbs less than a swaro dosn't seem like much but makes a diff and if it gets swiped or broke i'm only out $800 . I do carry a pair of leica 10x42 range finding binos , I had to have them warrantyed once for moisture , i'm not too easy on equiptment so we will see how the prostaff holds up' If i draw another oil tag i'll sweet talk pope and phool to come along with there swaros.

[Bean Counter]

It's only money

Yes, its "only money." If hunting is your passion, take your time and buy the right model. I've had my scope for four years now and wont be getting rid of it.  You'll look back and wish you had bought one sooner. Money comes and goes. Good hunting memories last a lifetime.

[huntindork]

I think it depends on where your hunting and how you hunt.  I carry mine almost all the time especially in the high country.  If i know i am just doing a day hunt in timber or somewhere i can only see 200-300 yards- i will leave it home or in the truck.

It does save alot of leg time in certain areas- For example this year I spotted what appeared to be a real good buck about a mile away in a avalanche chute and once i put the spotting scope on it it was a 5x4 but not what i was looking for at all.

I also use mine after the sun comes out.  I really helps spotting in those shadow locations where the deer usually end up bedding down.  I have spotted several bucks with mine where otherwise with binos i would have never seen them.

I use the Swaro 65 HD and love it.  I dont think i would go with anything else.  The light gathering capabilities and the clarity on high power is nuts compared to others i have owned or looked through.

Long story short - GET ONE you will use it more than you think!