Elk in CO - Spotting Scope needed?

[Mowy33]

Hi all - First-time poster, long-time lurker.

I'm heading to CO for first rifle season in the Flat Tops area. The plan is to hike in a few miles, set up camp, and then day hunt from there.

I'm going back and forth on whether a spotting scope is truly needed as I don't currently own one. I will be running Swaro 10x42 SLC's.

For those who have experience in this area, or have gone back and forth with this debate - what are your thoughts? Is it worth getting one (looking at the Vortex Razor), or will my Bino's be enough? I am not looking to score a gigantic trophy elk as this is my first hunt, so using a spotter to score the elk isn't necessary. I would just to ensure it's legal.

What are your thoughts?

 

[PurpleDriver]

First off, I’m a newbie also for elk. Hunted them once in the Flat Tops with bow. There were a couple areas we used our spotting scopes. But this year, I am not bringing the spotting scope. Didn’t feel they helped. The elk we found were not out in the open meadows anyways.

 

[sandhillhunter]

I’d say your binos will be enough.

Having said that, I carry 8x32 binos elk hunting and will be packing a compact spotter. I wouldn’t buy one for my trip if I didn’t have it already though.


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[def90]

Binos are fine

 

[j3butch]

Ditch the weight unless you’re glassing from the truck. My guess is if you see elk through your binos you’ll chase em. No need to pick em apart with a spotter.

 

[dirtytough]

I always pack a spotter. But if I didn’t have one and was only looking for a legal bull I wouldn’t purchase one for the hunt.

 

[hobbes]

10x42 binos will be all that you need.

 

[commandoNate]

No spotter needed unless you really want to score a bull from the opposite ridge, I.E. highly coveted draw tag. OTC or low point draw just pack the binos and chase it if it has horns (with 4 points on a side)

I generally carry a tripod if I'm going to be in places high enough to do much glassing, especially under a full moon for those first few minutes of daylight in the morning. If I'm hunting lower timber I don't carry the tripod.

 

[Indian Summer]

A new hunter not picky about the size of an elk has no reason to carry a spotter. 10 power binos can see elk for as far as you need to. If you’re not interested in a cow just look for the one or 2 really light colored elk or one that’s chasing other elk around. That’ll be a bull. Good luck.

 

[AnotherMile]

hobbes gave you some good advice..you should be fine leaving the spotter behind in the Flat Tops..good luck 1st season

 

[hcaudle]

I don’t remember where I heard it, but “use binos to look for elk, use a spotter to look at elk” seems applicable. If you’re looking for any legal bull and don’t care about scoring, don’t carry the extra weight of a spotting scope.

 

[300-win-mag]

Binos and you're good!

 

[elkguide]

I have my 10X42 Swaros and a spotter. I use the spotter a lot during the spring and summer but 95% of the hunting season, it stays in the truck.

 

[Catahoula]

Your binos will be plenty. Skip the weight.

 

[duckhunter175]

There are few places for elk I would want a spotting scope. It can be nice to have if you are looking across a valley into timber.

But if you are headed in and setting up a day camp I might at least bring it to camp.

 

[KOK]

absolutely not

 

[Cmcgruder]

10x42’s will be all ya need


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[Newtosavage]

No spotter needed unless you really want to score a bull from the opposite ridge, I.E. highly coveted draw tag. OTC or low point draw just pack the binos and chase it if it has horns (with 4 points on a side)

I generally carry a tripod if I'm going to be in places high enough to do much glassing, especially under a full moon for those first few minutes of daylight in the morning. If I'm hunting lower timber I don't carry the tripod.

Pretty much the same here. I use my spotter mostly from my truck these days, but I will take it with me on scouting hikes before season, when I'm not carrying a weapon. Once the season starts, I don't really have a use for it. I am not a trophy hunter, and I just need to tell whether an animal is legal or not. I've been able to do that from over a mile away using only my 8x binoculars on a tripod, numerous times now.

I guess what I'm saying is that if an animal is too far for me to tell whether it's legal or not with my binoculars on a tripod, it's probably further than I'm going to travel that day anyway.

Buy the best pair of 8x or 10x binoculars you can justify, and spend the rest on another tag.

 

[Corvus Corax]

Your binoculars are fine for what you described. Even better when put on a tripod, but elk are big and branch antlered bulls are usually pretty easily identified from a long long ways off.

 

[luckydraw2014]

Took mine off my pack last week and dam glad to drop the weight.