As most hunters will surely agree, a spotting scope is one of the most crucial and useful pieces of equipment used in the sport. However, unless you know just how and when to use it, you may never get to experience the true worth and efficacy of the tool.
To assist you on that front, below we have discussed the spotting scope in some detail, including a definition of the tool and its role in the hunt, how to set up the spotting scope and the tripod, familiarizing yourself with the various controls, and how to spot up targets using the scope.
What is a Spotting Scope?
A spotting scope is a fairly small and very portable telescope—a high-power telescope with added optics to present an erect image, one optimized for the observation of terrestrial objects. In more common terms, a spotting scope is a device used in hunting to spot up the prey before turning to your rifle or bow to make the shot.
Spotting scopes, although mainly used in hunting, can also be used for activities such as bird watching, in target shooting to verify a marksman’s shot placements, for tactical ranging and for surveillance, and for any other activity or application that requires added magnification—more magnification than you could typically get from a pair of binoculars, typically as much as 20 times to 60 times magnification.
According to experts, the “light-gathering power and resolution of a spotting scope is determined by the diameter of the objective lens, typically between 50 and 80 mm (2.0 and 3.1 in).” Of course, the larger the objective is, the more massive and expensive the telescope.
The optical assembly of a spotting scope has a small refracting objective lens, an image erecting setup that utilizes either image erecting relay lenses or prisms, and an eyepiece that is typically interchangeable and removable to provide a wide array of magnifications. Spotting scopes are available in a number of different designs and often include many extras, including, but not limited to, a tripod and an ergonomically designed knob for controlling the focus of the scope.
The eyepieces on a spotting scope are usually interchangeable to give different magnifications, or they may consist of a single variable zoom eyepiece that also gives a variety of different intensifications. Magnifications of less than 20 times are atypical in a spotting scope, as are magnifications greater than 60 times, largely because higher magnifications can lead to compromised image brightness, a narrower field of view, and illuminate too much image shake, even when the scope is used with a tripod.
The mount layout on a spotting scope’s eyepiece can be “straight through,” in which the eyepiece is on the same axis as the body of the scope; or “angled,” in which the eyepiece is at an angle, usually 45 degrees to the body of the scope.
What Is the Role of a Spotting Scope for a Hunter?
The spotting scope can play many different roles for the hunter. On the target range, hunters often bring along their spotting scope to check their marksmanship accuracy on long distance targets. This prevents hunters from constantly having to retrieve the target to check for accuracy.
In the field, the role of a spotting scope is crucial and actually rather simple: a spotting scope is used for long distance viewing and for making commitments to long distance shots with a rifle. In most hunting scenarios, the process involving a spotting scope would unfold in the following order.
- Scan for the herd. In most cases, hunters will use the less magnified binoculars to scan for the herd, as binoculars provide a wider field of vision. However, a spotting scope, set at the lowest magnification setting, can also be sued for this step.
- Gather more information. Once the herd has been located using the binoculars, a hunter will often then turn to his spotting scope to gather more information on the target and for close-up viewing.
- Determine target. Using the spotting scope, the hunter can then determine his target as well as the specifics on that target, including, perhaps, the sex of the animal, the size of the rack, and any other information you need to make a legal and ethical shot.
- Determine distance. With the laser rangefinder on the spotting scope, the hunter can then measure the approximate distance to the target.
- Take the shot. After determining the distance, the hunter will then adjust the turrets on his rifle scope to match the distance and ultimately take the shot.
How to Set Up and Use a Spotting Scope
If you are fairly new to hunting and using a spotting scope, the following information, in which we will provide a step-by-step guide for setting up and using the scope, should be very useful. Although spotting scopes come in many different designs and with different extras, these instructions will lean toward the most commonly used spotting scopes and tripods.
If your spotting scope is slightly different from the type we will describe here, fret not. Most of these instructions will work with any type of spotting scope setup.
Setting the Spotting Scope on the Tripod
The first thing you will need to do is place the spotting scope on the tripod. Although not all hunters use a tripod in the field, we highly recommend the use of this apparatus for beginners, as it will allow you to keep your hands free and also provide clearer and far less shaky images.
First, extend the legs of the tripod by unclipping or unlocking the levers holding the legs in place. Once extended to your desired height, relock the legs back into place.
If you are hunting in areas where the terrain is very rocky, uneven and unsteady, you can always adjust the legs independently at different heights so that the tripod is completely steady. If you are in windy conditions in which you need some weight to hold the tripod in place, consider purchasing a weighted tripod bag or hook that hangs from the center of the unit for extra weight.
Now that your tripod has been properly erected, it’s time to remove the spotting scope from its case and place it on the tripod. If the spotting scope and tripod you are using are a matched set, the tripod should be fitted with a mounting plate or adaptor that can be easily removed from the mounting platform of the tripod.
Once removed, thread the mounting plate to the spotting scope and tighten it down using the provided nut—usually a wing nut that is easy to tighten by hand. Next, use the quick release system to slide the mounting plate into the mounting platform until it audibly clicks into place. If you find you need more height once the scope has been attached, you can always unlock the neck extension of the tripod to gain that extra height.
Tilting and Panning Your Spotting Scope
In order to tilt and pan with your new spotting scope you will first need to unlock the tilt and pan features on the tripod using the provided levers. Some modern tripods have a locking mechanism that is directly integrated into the handle, in which case you simply turn the handle clockwise and lock it into place. Remember, when you need to tilt and pan with your spotting scope you should never do so by moving the scope itself. Instead, use the pan handle on the tripod to handle this movement.
Getting Your Scope Ready to Use and Finding Your Targets
If you have not already done so, the next step is to carefully remove any covers on the spotting scope, such as those over the objective lens, focus controls and the eyepiece. Also, you should remove any caps that may still be on the spotting scope. This step is always much easier to do after the scope has been attached to the tripod, largely because you’ll have both hands free. Now, your spotting scope is ready to use.
When locating targets with your spotting scope, we highly recommend you start with the lowest magnification (usually 20x), and focus your image for sharpness and a wide field of view. This will allow you to see more territory and provide much more clarity than a higher magnification would.
To focus on an image, use the focus controls located on the side of the spotting scope and adjust them until the image you have spotted up is crystal clear. If your spotting scope is equipped with a sunshade at the objective lens, you can use this feature to block out glare when the sun is anywhere but directly behind you.
Now that your spotting scope is completely in focus, scan the area for potential prey (if you have not already completed this step with your binoculars) using the pan handle on the tripod. Once you have spotted up a target at the low magnification setting, increase the power and zoom on the scope until you can easily make out all the features of the animal. Here you may have to refocus using the focus controls until the image is as clear and sharp as possible.
If you remember only one thing from this article it should be this: when using a spotting scope in a hunting situation, you should always start with the lowest magnification setting. This will give you the widest possible field of view and allow you to scan more terrain using the tilt and pan handles.
Once you have located a potential target, you can then narrow the field of view by slowly increasing the magnification and refocusing the spotting scope as needed.