Do I need the spotting scope?

[wbpowers06]

I was in the same position as you this year... 1st time western hunter for 2nd rifle elk. I have a spotter that I primarily use at the range to spot for friends. I brought it with me to CO thinking it was better to have it and not need it vs. need it and not have it. It stayed at camp a couple days until we glassed up a heard of elk over a mile away. With 8's and 10's we could not tell if any in the heard were bulls. I brought out the spotter (15-45x65) and quickly confirmed that there were 2 legal bulls. So in the end I'll always at the very least have a spotter in the truck. You can decide based on the scenario wether it's worth carrying or not.

 

[EvanG17]

Just finishing up a 2nd season elk hunt. No you do not need a spotter. When they come out and you want to glass them it is pretty obvious. I only used one to make sure they were legal at very far distances