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Campfire Outfitter
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One of my pards and I were running and gunning coyotes on some cranberry bogs last Friday. It was my turn to do the scoping while he did the calling and shooting. We were set up in a prone position on top of a dike with an excellent view of some bogs. Three deer broke out across a dike about 250 yards out. Shortly after I noticed movement along the edge of a bog. Swung the spotting scope over to the object and there was a guy standing in some shoulder high brush looking at me with binoculars. He melted back into the brush and I whispered to my pard not to shoot left of high noon in that direction. A few minutes went by and were about to move our set when a warden came up behind us and another one further off to our left. The first warden finished checking our licenses and the second one arrived cussing at us for pointing a loaded rifle at him. When he finished his tirade I reached down into the grass beside me and showed them my mounted spotting scope. There was a pause then the warden lectured me about pointing the mounted scope at a hunter or another person. I could see his point because at a distance the scope set resembles a gun with scope. I told him, first of all, I do not make it a practice to scope another person because of the perception and secondly, I will continue to use the setup for varmint hunting and wildlife observation. End of discussion. Do you think I should discontinue the use of my set up?
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Only if it's too stinky after you shove it up his azz.
I saw a movie where only the military and the police had guns. It was called Schindler's List.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 23,509 Likes: 11 |
Pretty damn good idea for spotting, IMO. Cut the forearm off as far back as you can without messing up the point of mounting it on a stock, and paint that stock bright orange.
I'd be pissed if I saw some do pointing something at me I thought was a hot rifle..
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,967 Likes: 5 |
One of my pards and I were running and gunning coyotes on some cranberry bogs last Friday. It was my turn to do the scoping while he did the calling and shooting. We were set up in a prone position on top of a dike with an excellent view of some bogs. Three deer broke out across a dike about 250 yards out. Shortly after I noticed movement along the edge of a bog. Swung the spotting scope over to the object and there was a guy standing in some shoulder high brush looking at me with binoculars. He melted back into the brush and I whispered to my pard not to shoot left of high noon in that direction. A few minutes went by and were about to move our set when a warden came up behind us and another one further off to our left. The first warden finished checking our licenses and the second one arrived cussing at us for pointing a loaded rifle at him. When he finished his tirade I reached down into the grass beside me and showed them my mounted spotting scope. There was a pause then the warden lectured me about pointing the mounted scope at a hunter or another person. I could see his point because at a distance the scope set resembles a gun with scope. I told him, first of all, I do not make it a practice to scope another person because of the perception and secondly, I will continue to use the setup for varmint hunting and wildlife observation. End of discussion. Do you think I should discontinue the use of my set up? No
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
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I don't have a problem with what you did.
But I also see the issue the warden has. from his distance he couldn't tell what you were pointing. I get an uneasy feeling when the scopes are pointed my direction in a gun shop and they're mounted similar to yours.
Camp is where you make it.
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2005
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I suppose you carry the thing "hot" too, right? (Everyone please note the )
Not a real member - just an ordinary guy who appreciates being able to hang around and say something once in awhile.
Happily Trapped In the Past (Thanks, Joe)
Not only a less than minimally educated person, but stupid and out of touch as well.
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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That's what they get for sneaking around in the woods and not making their prescience known. I don't think you were at fault at all..!
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Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,653 |
Pretty damn good idea for spotting, IMO. Cut the forearm off as far back as you can without messing up the point of mounting it on a stock, and paint that stock bright orange.
I'd be pissed if I saw some do pointing something at me I thought was a hot rifle.. There is a camo condom that goes over the scope. If the stock is painted bright orange wiley coyote is going to mark me pronto. However, I agree with your concern about a potential loaded rifle pointed at me.
You're Welcome At My Fire Anytime
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,967 Likes: 5 |
I don't have a problem with what you did.
But I also see the issue the warden has. from his distance he couldn't tell what you were pointing. I get an uneasy feeling when the scopes are pointed my direction in a gun shop and they're mounted similar to yours. If the Warden would not have been hiding and sneaking it would not have happened either. It was a spotter, so no harm no fowl
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 73,096 |
Sorry, I see nothing wrong there. Yes it might be a bit disconcerting to the spotee, but once the true nature of the item is known that should have been the end of the discussion IMHO.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 30,967 Likes: 5 |
Sorry, I see nothing wrong there. Yes it might be a bit disconcerting to the spotee, but once the true nature of the item is known that should have been the end of the discussion IMHO. Spot on as usual
I got banned on another web site for a debate that happened on this site. That's a first
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sorry, I see nothing wrong there. Yes it might be a bit disconcerting to the spotee, but once the true nature of the item is known that should have been the end of the discussion IMHO. That's my point, too. When the warden realized he had not had a rifle pointed at him, he should have manned up and let it go, rather than trying to save his manliness and chew somebody out. He acted like a little kid.
I saw a movie where only the military and the police had guns. It was called Schindler's List.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Works both ways , under the right conditions the warden with his binoculars could have looked like someone pointing a scoped rifle at YOU.
Mike
Always talk to the old guys , they know stuff.
Jerry Miculek
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 73,096 |
Sorry, I see nothing wrong there. Yes it might be a bit disconcerting to the spotee, but once the true nature of the item is known that should have been the end of the discussion IMHO. That's my point, too. When the warden realized he had not had a rifle pointed at him, he should have manned up and let it go, rather than trying to save his manliness and chew somebody out. He acted like a little kid. Some people have to have the last word no matter what, right & wrong has no bearing on it, simply proving in their mind they have power.
George Orwell was a Prophet, not a novelist. Read 1984 and then look around you!
Old cat turd!
"Some men just need killing." ~ Clay Allison.
I am too old to fight but I can still pull a trigger. ~ Me
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 39,301 |
That's my point, too. When the warden realized he had not had a rifle pointed at him, he should have manned up and let it go, rather than trying to save his manliness and chew somebody out. He acted like a little kid. I agree but having spent time in the crosshairs of an idiot I can find sympathy for the way he felt. I am thinking there might have been a bit more adrenalin still flowing around in his blood than normal. I would not be too hard on him for feeling the way he did.
The first time I shot myself in the head...
Meniere's Sucks Big Time!!!
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 69,446 Likes: 15 |
If I'd been the warden and saw a 'gun' aiming my way, I'd have hit the dirt. However, he had no business chewing on anyone for using a scope after he found out what it was.
“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” ― George Orwell
It's not over when you lose. It's over when you quit.
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,927 |
I'd re-think this setup. Suppose you pointed your spotting scope at another hunter, and he thought you were pointing a rifle at him, and he got angry and started shooting at you. Things could go south quickly.
I'm not saying your setup is right or wrong, just think about your own, and your partner's, safety.
Keep your gun-hand ready and your eyes peeled.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Jed York does not own the 49ers; Russell Wilson does.
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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That's my point, too. When the warden realized he had not had a rifle pointed at him, he should have manned up and let it go, rather than trying to save his manliness and chew somebody out. He acted like a little kid. I agree but having spent time in the crosshairs of an idiot I can find sympathy for the way he felt. I am thinking there might have been a bit more adrenalin still flowing around in his blood than normal. I would not be too hard on him for feeling the way he did. We're on the same page. I wouldn't have been too hard on him either; I'd have just chewed back or laughed at him.
I saw a movie where only the military and the police had guns. It was called Schindler's List.
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Posts: 12,895
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Sorry, I see nothing wrong there. Yes it might be a bit disconcerting to the spotee, but once the true nature of the item is known that should have been the end of the discussion IMHO. Spot on as usual Roundoak, I guess thats the "like it or lump it" position and your probably quite within your rights to stick to that stance. However, playing Devils Advocate for a second, if the position were reversed, how would you like it? Also, could using that set-up result in further hassle? I'm thinking what if somebody called a LEO because they felt you were using a "rifle" inappropriately? Sometimes, just because you have the lawfully right to do something, doesn't necessarily make it a good idea so to speak... Anyway, away from the "ethics aspect", what mag is the scope? And is there any particular reason why you choose that set up over a conventional tripod??? I have a Nikon 50ED with a x27 eyepiece and while I can hand hold it using my stalking sticks as a steady, putting it on a tripod makes it far more effective.. Regards, Peter
Last edited by Pete E; 09/06/10.
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