5 Uses of Spotting Scope for Hunting

Hunting requires you to identify your targets before you engage them. That’s why you always bring your binoculars with you to help you see from afar. You can see a lot of different unique shapes, bushes, shaded areas, and more, but most of them are just vague outlines. It’s the reason why spotting scopes for hunting is a great alternative.

With four to five times the magnification of regular binoculars, spotting scopes can help you determine your targets from afar. If you’re an avid hunter and you want to bring your hunting skills to the next level, here are some of the reasons why you need this type of scope.

The Different Uses of Spotting Scopes for Hunting

1. Find a Specific Animal in a Large Herd

If your main goal is to look for unique species of animals in the wild, you need a spotting scope to help you find it from a large herd. A regular binocular can find the big herd, but it would be very difficult to spot any unique animals when using it. Chasing rare animals in the wild would be more fun and exciting if you can find them accurately.

2. Locate Hiding Animals

There are elusive animals that will only visit a certain location for a few hours or even days in a year. These animals are always on the move so it’s hard to find them in the wild. Nature watchers usually use a spotting scope to help them check for movements on the air or ground. Even if you’re 200 to 300 yards away, you can still capture that animal in the scope.

This is also a great tool for hunters as it would save them more time and effort. Instead of walking a long distance to check the area for prey, you can simply use your spotting scope. It would tell you if it’s worth it to go to that location or not.

3. View the Animals Clearly

One of the most important uses of a spotting scope is its ability to provide a clear image of the animals from far away. Most animals are timid and they will run away if they see any signs of humans near them. With a spotting scope, you can view the animals as much as you want without scaring them away.

4. Telephotography

With the advent of technology, you can now use spotting scopes for telephotography. Through its higher magnifications, you can capture bright and high-contrast pictures of animals and sceneries that you see. Most of the newest models can now be used as telephoto lenses. By using the right accessories, you can improve the performance of the scope and capture real-time images.

Compared with a regular camera telephoto lens, a spotting scope provides a better view of far targets. If you choose the right aperture and stability, you can capture wildlife in its purest form.

5. Digiscoping

If telephotography allows you to clearly see your targets, digiscoping allows you to save the images for later viewing. It’s like you’re using a regular camera and all the images are saved there. Digiscoping requires a spotting scope and a digital camera. The camera is attached to the scope so everything that it sees can be captured and saved.

How to Choose a Spotting Scope

If you are convinced that spotting scopes can help improve your hunting experience, the next step is to know what to look for. You cannot blindly choose a scope as there are models made for beginners and experts. Here are some of the things that you should consider when buying a scope for hunting.

1. Check the Numbers

For binoculars, you need to check their magnification like “5x” or “10x”. With spotting scopes, you need to choose them based on the diameter of the lens in millimeters. If you plan to use the scope for hunting or birding, lenses with 50 to 80 mm would be a great choice.

The bigger lenses are definitely better as they allow more light to get in, but they are also heavier. You should think about your circumstances before buying a bigger lens.

2. Glass Quality

The quality of the glass is a game-changer as it dictates the quality of the image that you can see through the spotting scope. If the scope is using ordinary glass, it will block some of the light that is passing through it.

Today, the coated lens is the most common option and the best choice would be the multi-coated lens. The coated lens can improve the transmission of light in the scope, allowing you to see a brighter picture of your target. Multi-coated lenses can minimize reflections, glare, and halos around lights. This will greatly improve the overall quality of the image you see through the spotting scope.

However, take note that better glass quality comes with a price. They are more expensive, but it’s worth the investment if you’re an avid hunter.

3. Straight or Angled?

Most of the scopes come in straight or angled configurations. If you prefer to go hunting or birding alone, you can opt for the straight configuration. You just need a sturdy and tall tripod and you can start viewing at a higher elevation. You can set it up at your eye level and scan the surroundings.

Angled configuration offers better stability. It’s because you’re using a lower tripod height. It also offers better viewing comfort and it’s a good option for digiscoping as it gives you a better view of your target.

4. Durability

You’re going to bring your scope outside so you need to make sure that it’s durable enough to withstand a few tumbles. Look for a scope with a rugged armor exterior as it is perfect for outdoor usage. A spotting scope with waterproof and fog proof features are both important to prevent damage because of rain.

Conclusion

Using spotting scopes for hunting can make your hunting and birding experience more fun and exciting. It’s important to put your budget into consideration but always focus on the features that you’re going to use.

If you plan to go on a hunting trip with your friends, it’s better if you have an amazing spotting scope to help you scout your targets from afar.