Identify deer using scope
- Thread starter muddy42
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Stalker62
Well-Known Member
If that is all it is, then nothing. In my opinion.
If you know what you’re looking at is a deer and you know it’s a safe shot with binoculars, then use the scope on high power is no problem IMO.
daytona mark
Active Member
i very often confirm the sex with the scope cranked up ,it’s very difficult to sex a roe at 150yards if you only see them a few times a year ,it’s better than making a mistake
Dan Newcombe
Well-Known Member
Again - the over thinking thread comes to mind.
We have jumped from taking a closer look at a deer that was identified (assuming
it’s safe) with binoculars to the fact that someone can’t be trusted to not scan with the rifle - I have scanned with an air rifle as a young loon and it’s not easy or practical so you wouldn’t do it for long.
Come to Scotland in the winter and you don’t have to worry about all that crap, if it’s deer shaped we shoot it, no need to get all confused about bucks and does!
We have jumped from taking a closer look at a deer that was identified (assuming
it’s safe) with binoculars to the fact that someone can’t be trusted to not scan with the rifle - I have scanned with an air rifle as a young loon and it’s not easy or practical so you wouldn’t do it for long.
Come to Scotland in the winter and you don’t have to worry about all that crap, if it’s deer shaped we shoot it, no need to get all confused about bucks and does!
Utectok
Well-Known Member
Quite often I will check deer on my scope at 12x mag just a bit more than my binos at 10x. If I’m on a bipod or sticks it’s very clear in the scope. Obviously if it safe and not for scanning. The other day I watched a doe and kid for a while behind the scope very enjoyable.
I often use my scopes to check out a deer to confirm if it is on my hit list after i have spotted with binos but only if i am certain it is safe to do so. On some ground i have the distance i can be spotting deer with thermal then binos could be a kilometre or more away. Zoom in with the big scope could save time and leg work
Again - the over thinking thread comes to mind.
We have jumped from taking a closer look at a deer that was identified (assuming
it’s safe) with binoculars to the fact that someone can’t be trusted to not scan with the rifle - I have scanned with an air rifle as a young loon and it’s not easy or practical so you wouldn’t do it for long.
Come to Scotland in the winter and you don’t have to worry about all that crap, if it’s deer shaped we shoot it, no need to get all confused about bucks and does!
Thanks Dan. I stalk in Scotland, and I agree summer stalking outside of the rut is pretty hard. Its very hard to see roe deer in thick woodland cover, with no arable or mown rides to help. I am aware of people who simply shoot both sexes during the winter. Its not strictly legit, but at least bucks don't get pregnant or have dependent fawns, so limited humanitarian impact.
In response to the thread. Thanks for the comments. To repeat, I was NOT inquiring about scanning, but looking at a stationary deer through a high mag scope ONLY after you are 100% sure it is a deer and 100% safe, backstop etc. Thanks for the replies - it seems some people do this and it is helpful to establish sex. Maybe the next rifle will be blessed with a variable scope - the big manufacturers seem to have stopped making fixed mag scopes anyway.
NickJ
Well-Known Member
I have a pair of Swaro 10x50s, I bought them for the hill but after using them on low ground I sold by Zeiss 8x32 as I never went back to them.
They are not heavy.
I found that (when I could not physically stalk any closer) they paid dividends in helping me select the right sex of beast and also if the individual was a cull animal or one I wanted to leave.
They are not heavy.
I found that (when I could not physically stalk any closer) they paid dividends in helping me select the right sex of beast and also if the individual was a cull animal or one I wanted to leave.
I've never scanned with a rifle scope but have I ever gone "Oh look a roe" or whatever, got the rifle up quick (assuming its safe to do so) and double checked the sex and condition through the scope before taking a shot or not? Sure.
Sometimes you dont get long to take a shot and I've been able to get a few on the deck this way where if I'd been farting about with the binos first I'd have missed the opportunity.
Sometimes you dont get long to take a shot and I've been able to get a few on the deck this way where if I'd been farting about with the binos first I'd have missed the opportunity.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
If you cannot tell the sex of a deer with a set of 8x42 Bins then either it is well too far away, or it's sufficiently hidden by brush, twigs etc that it's an unsafe shot.
I would be a rifle to bear once I know that it is a potentially shootable beast and that it is a clear and safe shot. Then by all means take a good close look by zooming in, but to be honest if it is shootable range binoculars and 6x scope should be more than enough.
I would be a rifle to bear once I know that it is a potentially shootable beast and that it is a clear and safe shot. Then by all means take a good close look by zooming in, but to be honest if it is shootable range binoculars and 6x scope should be more than enough.
Heym SR20
Well-Known Member
A telescope / Spotting Scope - either the three draw Greys/Ross style or a tripod mounted one is the tool for once you get up high and trying to spot a beast to stalk into that is several hundred metres or a couple of miles away. I take one if I am in the mountains, but tend not to bother on woodland style.
Chikentikka
Well-Known Member
deer there, cant tell what it is, scope has more mag.. oh its a *insert relevant deer sex / species etc*
You sure it's deer you're shooting?
0h no its a hiker/ twitcher/ in brown bobble hat.
sikamalc
Administrator
I find Finnish clients are the worst people for using a scope to scan for deer. Its rare that I have a Finnish client bring a pair of binoculars with them. It has now become the norm to have a good talk with all of them before we embark on any stalk about using a loaded or unloaded rifle with scope to spot deer with.
If you cant see the target properly dont point the rifle, if you cant see the target properly you also cant see the backstop properly either.
If you cant see the target properly dont point the rifle, if you cant see the target properly you also cant see the backstop properly either.
My thoughts exactly.
Surprised this is still going,
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