|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,274 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,274 Likes: 22 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,274 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,274 Likes: 22 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,488
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,488 |
Looking at all of the pics makes me think I should be using a spotting scope. I have a compact Leupold 15-30x50 that I thought id use in the field but it stays in the truck once the real hunting starts, the weight isn't worth the benefit to me.
I carry 10x42 Swarovski binoculars that I bought 3 years ago and went to a 3-15x50 Zeiss Conquest last year so I can identify points or brow tines right before squeezing the trigger. All the upgrades including the little spotter were the result of not being able to determine if a bedded bull was legal at a little under 400 yards in thick brush. He stayed there 45 minutes before we were sure he was legal by changing viewing angles a few times, very lucky he didn't spook. By the time we were sure he was good to shoot some cows had wandered into range so we got a bull and cow in a few seconds once my buddy shot at that patient bull.
An excellent quality spotting scope is next on my list probably still a few years away.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968 |
Thanks everyone for all of the input. I've picked up a mid size spotter (65mm obj) and plan on carry it this fall on my elk hunt. Now I need where to sit and how to be effective with it.
Confession: I have a tendency to start chunk'en stuff out of the pack after the first day to reduce weight. This year I will resist and "endeavor to persevere".
"...buzzards gota eat same as worms" Josey Wales NRA lifer Hunting is Conservation RMEF Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,849
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,849 |
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968 |
I fixed that for you
"...buzzards gota eat same as worms" Josey Wales NRA lifer Hunting is Conservation RMEF Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968
Campfire Regular
|
OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 968 |
Oh BTW Ted, What tripod are you using, that's a good looking pod.
Tks,
"...buzzards gota eat same as worms" Josey Wales NRA lifer Hunting is Conservation RMEF Member
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,849
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,849 |
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,183
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 8,183 |
IMO, a spotter with a bipod is too much added weight and bulk.
I spent my money on Swarovski Binoculars. If you can hold them steady, you can get a "doubler" for a little money and not much weight.
donsm70
Life Member...Safari Club International Life Member...Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Life Member...Keystone Country Elk Alliance Life Member...National Rifle Association
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
IMO, a spotter with a bipod is too much added weight and bulk.
I spent my money on Swarovski Binoculars. If you can hold them steady, you can get a "doubler" for a little money and not much weight.
donsm70 Doublers are a giant waste of money IMO. I hate em.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
Drum, still using that Leica 62?
Defend the Constitution
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
Drum, still using that Leica 62? I sold the one I had when we were out looking but I just bought another one. I also have a Meopta S2 that's incredible. I keep the S2 near the truck or ATV and keep the Leica in my pack How's everything my friend?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
Doing well and I trust you are too?
Meopta has come on strong, haven't they? If they pick up the light trans a bit across the product lines, it wouldn't hurt...:)
Am planning to roll thru the metropolis there in mid-August and aim to make some time to buy you lunch, if you are willing...
Defend the Constitution
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 7,177 |
Would love to see you! Stop in anytime!
Meopta is putting out some fantastic stuff. I agree about having some lighter options. If they come out with a 60mm spotter I'd be all over it
We are fantastic here. Kiddos are growing up too fast
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
Will do--will bring my Nikon for a compare...:)
Defend the Constitution
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 825
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 825 |
For elk I do not. I use 10x42 Meostar HD's on a tripod and keep the spotter in the truck. Is this your first elk hunt? Elk are generally not that hard to dredge up with glass. They will glow if the sun is shining on them. The only reason I would carry a spotter is if I had a primo unit and had my heart set on a 330+ bull. I would use the big glass to try to get a rough estimate of how big he was before I burned the boot leather to get closer.
Lifetime member: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers & Wild Sheep Foundation
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 14,104 |
Workday post--still recuperating?
Ben
Some days it takes most of the day for me to do practically nothing...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 825
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 825 |
Workday post--still recuperating? Yup.. I'm out for 2 weeks. Lotsa campfire time and time at the reloading bench.
Lifetime member: Backcountry Hunters and Anglers & Wild Sheep Foundation
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 954
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 954 |
I think it depends on what you are hunting, I have great quality glass but use the spotter very little. If you are counting inches then a spotter is mandatory. If you are looking for elk then a high quality pair of binoculars will meet your needs. If you have spent much time looking at elk, you can sex them by color. Not always 100% accurate but it works.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 315 |
Hunted elk Unit 4 New Mexico, spotter completely useless in the mountains. That setting up the spotter on TV shows to see the elk on the next mountain is just for the show to sell the spotter. Where a spotter would be useful is then the elk are low in the winter grounds, which are wide open. Then the extra power of the spotter would come in handy to help pick out the one you want.
I was looking at an Leica spotter, and one trip to the mountains that purchase is off my wish list. I've been on 40+ elk kills in the last 10 years, spotters have played a big part in several of them. I've hunted them in the timber, high country, broken county etc. Granted, I don't have the experience you do from 1 hunt, but in a couple hundred days chasing elk, the spotter has been a benefit more times than not.
|
|
|
|
474 members (10gaugemag, 10gaugeman, 007FJ, 12344mag, 06hunter59, 160user, 59 invisible),
2,608
guests, and
1,177
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,644
Posts18,512,507
Members74,010
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|