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

[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  )