10 million of the nation’s 13 million hunters prefer to go after the big game, white tailed deer. Deer populations across the country are thriving and there’s plenty out there ready to be hunted down. However, these animals aren’t stupid. If you’re going to bag one, you’ll have to make sure you have plenty of hunting experience and the right equipment to back you up. One way to ensure a kill without a deer even registering your presence is with the right rifle scope. You might be an expert on the firing range, but facing a live animal is a whole different game. Here’s what to avoid when it comes to purchasing a scope.
Don’t Buy Anything Shiny
One thing we all love about guns are the aesthetics. Often much of the outer shell of a rifle is purely decorative, making it look more powerful and exciting. A traditional hunting rifle would have come with a metallic, reflective surface, but if you want any hope of landing a kill, this is the last thing you need.
A modern-day hunting rifle scope should come with a matte black finish. This prevents a deer catching sight of you and allows you to remain hidden for longer. While the technical features of a scope are important, they become useless if you can’t remain camouflaged.
Don’t Overspend
For most people, the scopes in the $1,000+ range are simply unnecessary. The key to effective hunting lies in the hunter, not the equipment. Keep your budget down to $200-$300 and you’ll have everything that you need. Many well-known and popular brands such as Nikon and Simmons produce scopes in this price bracket and they are widely used even by top hunters. Don’t assume that by spending a large amount you’re automatically making life easier for yourself. Find the highest quality scope you can within a reasonable price range.
Don’t Worry About Brightness
Scopes help improve visibility by revealing a bright image to the hunter. This often leads people to overspend on a scope with the highest brightness level. However, this really isn’t necessary. Whichever rifle scope you purchase, it will be set to work from legal first light to the last. The only reason to go for a brighter option is to go beyond the legal limits, which is of course not advised.
Instead, you should consider robustness and zoom capabilities. Is your rifle still accurate after it’s been bashed around? If it’s still working fine, then you know you have a solid scope on your weapon. When it comes to zoom, stick to 3x-9x. Anything more than that will only add weight without giving any extra benefit. If you can’t see the prey clearly, simply move in closer rather than purchasing a new scope.
The rifle scope is one of the most important features on your weapon. The accuracy of your shot is in its hand, so choose wisely. Avoiding the mistakes above will ensure you stay hidden and can hunt effectively, without overpaying on wasted features.
