BDX Bluetooth systems are not legal in Idaho

[TTSX180]

Just spoke with Idaho fish and game enforcement. The BDX link blue tooth systems are NOT legal in Idaho. $600 fine min or the discretion of the officer.

 

[mt100gr.]

Just spoke with Idaho fish and game enforcement. The BDX link blue tooth systems are NOT legal in Idaho. $600 fine min or the discretion of the officer.

Is this due to the electronic components in the scope, or the linking abilities of another device that in turn gives the hunter an "advantage"? Just curious how the law sees illuminated reticles?

I don't hunt Idaho and don't have BDX linked equipment, don't even have illuminated reticles.... just curious.

 

[Rob5589]

From the IDFG game book;

Rifle and Shotgun

In any hunt, including any-weapon seasons, it is unlawful to pursue or kill big game animals:

With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated on, the firearm or scope; except scopes containing battery powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.

 

[Braden]

Interesting. It so new I hadn't even thought about the laws behind it. Any other states with similar restrictions?

 

[scooter25]

The regs say battery powered illuminated scopes are legal. That's what the sig BDX scope is, a battery powered illuminated reticle. It also has bluetooth capabilities that are not addressed in the regs. Based on how the LEO interprets the regs he may write you a ticket but I don't think the regs are clear enough and you could probably get it dropped in court. It probably is not worth the risk though.

 

[Rob5589]

The regs say battery powered illuminated scopes are legal. That's what the sig BDX scope is, a battery powered illuminated reticle. It also has bluetooth capabilities that are not addressed in the regs. Based on how the LEO interprets the regs he may write you a ticket but I don't think the regs are clear enough and you could probably get it dropped in court. It probably is not worth the risk though.

From Sigs website:

When the riflescope is actively paired with a BDX series rangefinder, the user will press and release the RANGE button on the rangefinder, then a BLUE LED flashes 5 times on the riflescope rapidly and then remains constant for 5 seconds, the riflescope receives a new value from the BDX series rangefinder and shows the correct holdover for your target up to 800 yards.

Seems to be a bit more than just an illuminated reticle. I would say it definitely falls into the "electronic device incorporated on the scope" as the reg states. Like you said, not worth the risk.

 

[swampthing]

I cant remember the other state but I believe its illegal in 2 US states. I just bought the bino/rangefinder/scope system and am looking forward to hunting with it. I am up in British Columbia. Its currently legal here but there is talk it may be outlawed here as well!

 

[Randle]

As it should be.

 

[swampthing]

I dont see the system having an advantage that seems unreasonable. With some of my other rifles I range a target, click my scope and shoot. The bdx does the "clicking " for you but otherwise its the same basic system. Both systems require plenty of range time to set up.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Oregon changed the wording as soon as Bdx was launched.

 

[gfreidy]

Amazing innovation but seems wrong to use for hunting.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Amazing innovation but seems wrong to use for hunting.

Yeah idk it's a fine line. There stick bow hunter that think a rest is to much technological innovation for hunting.
I'm fine with whatever is legal. That's cut and dry.
When it gets to personal feelings I'm out. Just to may points of view, I try not hate on anyone as long as its legal.

 

[archp625]

I don't have a problem with it for others but its not for me. The more dodad's you carry out in the woods the more that can fail. If the electronic ranging system is what you rely on and it quits working, your hunt will be over (until you get another battery).

 

[realunlucky]

I don't have a problem with it for others but its not for me. The more dodad's you carry out in the woods the more that can fail. If the electronic ranging system is what you rely on and it quits working, your hunt will be over (until you get another battery).

No different than another range finding device. Are you just sending it without knowing the exact distance?

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

 

[archp625]

No different than another range finding device. Are you just sending it without knowing the exact distance?

Sent from my moto z3 using Tapatalk

No way am I sending it without knowing the distance. You are correct on that part. My rangfinder could fail and I would be in the same position.

I just feel more people would rely on the system than know what there gun can do without the system.

 

[scooter25]

I bought the sig scope and rangefinder combo about a year ago and used for all my hunts last year. My experience talking with people about it is that they really don't have a good understanding how it works. If a guy buys this setup and think they can plug the information off their box of ammo they pick up at walmart and go hunt with it they will be pretty disappointed. It took me a lot of range time and ammo to get the system dialed in and confident in the performance. You have to do the bullet drop calibration at the furthest distance you plan to shoot to get the correct bullet speed or have a chronograph. You also have to use ammo that has consistent velocities. So that means hand loading or experimenting with different factory ammo and see if you can find one that gets consistent results. I don't hand load so it took me a lot of ammo before I settled on on that I got consistent results with, Federal Trophy Copper 165gr 300 WSM. I would say this system is really no more advantages than a scope that has MOA or Mildot marks in the reticle. The real advantage is in the range finder that does the ballistic calculation and displays the MOA in the rangefinder reticle. You don't need the sig scope for that. If you range a target at 500 yards and the rangefinder displays the MOA hold at say 10.5 MOA you can dial your scope or hold to the corresponding MOA mark in you scope reticle. The benefit of the Sig scope is instead of dialing or holding on the MOA mark in your scope it illuminates the closest preset MOA light in the scope. The scopes have a limited number of preset MOA positions that can be illuminated so it is not an exact hold point. If the calculated MOA hold is 11.8 the scope will illuminate whatever the closest point is has. As far as if the battery dies in the scope I can still use the rangefinder and dial the turret to the correct MOA so it still functions like a normal scope. My experience though is the battery life is very good. I used it all last year at the range and field and never replaced the battery. I would check the regs for the state you plan to hunt and if you could interpret them that this system could be illegal I would want to get certain clarification on how the G&F they will rule on this setup. Nothing would ruin your hunt more than getting cited for an illegal firearm.

 

[TTSX180]

I was trying to keep it as simple as possible. But if you watch some of the videos of it’s use it’s a game changer if you do a little due diligence.

 

[SEtoNWHunter]

Illegal in for hunting in Oregon also, to my understanding...

Per ODFW regs: "Infrared, night vision, laser or any other sight that projects a beam to the target, including scopes with electronic rangefinders and scopes that receive information from any electronic device."

Have a buddy with a Burris Eliminator, he checked with ODFW and they said not legal.

 

[HookUp]

Great law!! We do not need to shoot at animals at extreme distance with electronic assistance.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Great law!! We do not need to shoot at animals at extreme distance with electronic assistance.

Yeah we need to do it without electronic assistance