I'm heading out for an early season high country mule deer hunt and will be packing in 5+ miles to 12,500 feet elevation. This drainage is fairly narrow all the way to the top. The farthest I will be able to see is approximately 1.25 miles. I'm just pondering if I should lug 5 pounds of scope/tripod up the mountain. I'm not going to be counting inches and points. Just want to take a good representative buck. Thoughts?
Spotting scope - take it or leave it?
- Thread starter mboyett1976
- Start date
If you have 10x or better binos and a tripod mount for them, I would certainly think about leaving the scope behind. The worst thing that will happen is you need to take a little walk to get a closer look. For just the binos, you can potentially go with a lighter tripod also. Mine is a sit down tripod that is only about 1.5#. To qualify this, I don't have a scope and likely never will.
JimP
Administrator
My opinion is if you have good glasses then leave it home.
Just remember 5 miles at that elevation is going to equate out to around 20 from where you are located and anyplace that you can shave weight you should.
And that is if you are in great shape.
Just remember 5 miles at that elevation is going to equate out to around 20 from where you are located and anyplace that you can shave weight you should.
And that is if you are in great shape.
rjroberts15
Member
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Leave home without it... If you aren't counting inches or points as you mentioned I'd leave it at home to save the weight! As mentioned, use your binos on a tripod. I rarely use a spotter anymore. Scouting yes, hunting no. Of course it depends on the hunt.
shootbrownelk
Veteran member
mntnguide
Very Active Member
I won't leave home without a spotter for high country mule deer and I pack in deep and steep. But that spotter has saved me many painful miles along with helping find bucks in trees during mid day hours
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
You point out something that needs to be considered. Using a spotting scope is not easy. Learning to "see" what you are looking at is an art that is developed with practice. If you really havn't used one a lot and are not really proficient in it's use, bring some good binos and a tripod.
tdcour
Veteran member
I'd say take it. Getting a closer look at the buck usually isn't possible unless you outright go on a stalk and at that point you are committed. I used my spotter as much for look at/sizing up deer as reading terrain and planning a stalk. You can see the small land features better in a scope further out in my opinion. Agree with everyone else on getting your binos on a tripod. Very well worth it.
Any time I'm trying to decide if I should take a spotter or not I take the little Nikon ED50. I would take a tripod for the binos anyway, it's light enough I just take it along at 20.4oz with adapter and protective case. Especially if you aren't looking really far a small spotter should work. If you were dead set on a certain score buck and glassing long distance I'd say maybe take a big spotter, but a good quality small spotter would do what you are asking.
I'm going to replace the Nikon with a Kowa 55mm for my small spotter in the near future. They are supposed to be very impressive, but they are also expensive. A little heavier too at 28.2oz without an adapter or case, but still much lighter than a Swaro 65mm.
I'm going to replace the Nikon with a Kowa 55mm for my small spotter in the near future. They are supposed to be very impressive, but they are also expensive. A little heavier too at 28.2oz without an adapter or case, but still much lighter than a Swaro 65mm.
BOHNTR
Very Active Member
I don't venture above timberline without one. It can save you A LOT of hiking when deciding if it's a buck you want to go after. Ascope let's you confirm. JMO
Based on your description of the area you will be hunting, I would absolutely say bring the spotter. I've never regretted having mine in my pack, even though it does add to my pack wt. You will be able to find those bedded / hidden animals with your spotter that you would likely not see with your binos.
Good Luck on your hunt.
Good Luck on your hunt.
tdub24
Veteran member
I say take it, very rarely has plan A worked out, so if you may need to relocate for whatever reason, you are prepared for whatever the next drainage offers. Also, being able to glass up those bedded bucks mid day with binos is do-able but much easier with a spotter.
NE69
Active Member
Take it, if nothing else it will be in the truck if you need it. A spotter you can digiscope with is well worth it.
Slugz
Veteran member
It all depends. If going into an area that you are not familiar with and or werent able to scout a ton then take it. If I know the area/animal movement I'm a bino/tripod guy.