What Power Do You Shoot At On Scope

[jakesnake66]

Originally Posted by deerhunt1988

I don't carry binos as they are somewhat useless for the way I hunt (no food plots)..

It's pretty rare for me and DH1988 to disagree, but I cannot FATHOM not carrying binos! And the irony is that I'm dependent on them precisely because I also don't hunt food plots or open areas. I mostly hunt long stretches of bottom-land covered in buck-brush, and I constantly "glass" for better visibility in the super-thick stuff. Without binos the environment is thoroughly 2D, and I will fail to detect deer that may be only 30 yards away. I use the binos for the depth perception and detail, and I've lost count how many deer I've picked up by being able to distinguish a body part that would blend too perfectly with my naked eye. There've been times I've walked 1/2 mile back to the truck after forgetting my binos. I'm 100% totally dependent on them.

Interesting how we've all adapted our styles so differently.

[peewee]

Originally Posted by jakesnake66

It's pretty rare for me and DH1988 to disagree, but I cannot FATHOM not carrying binos! And the irony is that I'm dependent on them precisely because I also don't hunt food plots or open areas. I mostly hunt long stretches of bottom-land covered in buck-brush, and I constantly "glass" for better visibility in the super-thick stuff. Without binos the environment is thoroughly 2D, and I will fail to detect deer that may be only 30 yards away. I use the binos for the depth perception and detail, and I've lost count how many deer I've picked up by being able to distinguish a body part that would blend too perfectly with my naked eye. There've been times I've walked 1/2 mile back to the truck after forgetting my binos. I'm 100% totally dependent on them.

Interesting how we've all adapted our styles so differently.

I agree with your binocular comments. I don't even feel right unless I have them with me.

[trapperb]

I am one of the keep it on the low side guys for the same reasons stated by DoyleAlley. A deer(or varmit) in close often gives little time or opportunity to dial down where as further out you usually have more chance to dial up. In the woods I go about 4, more open and longer distances 6 plus as needed. I also use binos for deer and squirrels.

[FCHUNTER]

Generally keep my scope on 6X but will adjust it to more if given the time once I see a shooter.

[randywallace]

Originally Posted by peewee

I agree with your binocular comments. I don't even feel right unless I have them with me.

I will turn around and go back to camp to get my binocs. Same thing for hearing protection if I am not using a suppressed rifle.

Looking though binocs has cost me a couple of fast moving deer, but it has allowed me to see many more deer that I would not have otherwise seen.

[jakesnake66]

Originally Posted by randywallace

I will turn around and go back to camp to get my binocs. Same thing for hearing protection if I am not using a suppressed rifle.

Looking though binocs has cost me a couple of fast moving deer, but it has allowed me to see many more deer that I would not have otherwise seen.

Randy, that's very interesting about the hearing protection. My wife is an audiologist, and I was a professional musician from age 16 to sometime in my late 30s. When my wife and I met (I was 24 at the time) she instisted on testing my hearing, and when she discovered a moderate hearing loss in my left ear (the side that faced my guitar amp) she got all violent on me (wasn't the last time, LOL) and demanded I get quality hearing protection for live performance and hunting/shooting. I love her for it, BUT....how do you hunt with your hearing impaired? Of course I wear hearing protection when I shoot, but I've had NO luck adjusting to hearing protection while hunting. I hunt from the ground in thick stuff, so I often hear the deer before I see it. Do you hunt in such a way that hearing isn't as critical? Or have you invested in the higher-priced technology that protects your ears while allowing you to hear pretty well?

[leadhead]

I keep mine around 6 most of the time.

[Shackbully58]

Most of these posts have their opinions based on distance. Conditions are also an important part of the equation. Case in point, in foggy conditions cranking it up to a higher power only magnifies what is in the field of view.

[Outrider]

If hunting woods I keep it set on the lowest power. If I'm hunting a power line or field I'm usually at 4X. On a high hill in the open where a shot may be longer I inch up to 5X. If the rut is on where bucks may be running I crank back down to the lowest power. If he is out there a ways, I crank to maximum (10X or 12X depending on the gun I'm carrying) as I bring up the rifle.

[1984dog]

There is some excellent info in this thread. For me, it all depends on the stand/conditions. If I'm in thick woods/brush - I use a low power setting because a deer may come running through and it is easier to find a moving object at low power verses a high power. During twilight or dusk conditions, I move my scope to a lower setting because they bring in more light at lower settings. If I am hunting on a food plot or over a cut over - I will typically set the scope at maybe 1/3rd of maximum power and dial it up when I get on target. I likewise use binoculars a lot and use them to determine deer details (rack size, age and etc.) before I put a scope on the deer. Jakesnake66 post gives some excellent approach as well. I have used his approach to "selective focus" and pan through thick woods/brush and I am often surprised to see a deer body part that I would look over without binoculars. I have found deer bedded down within 40 yards of me that have been there for a couple hours.