Is an 85mm spotting scope necessary for Elk hunting?

[HaveBowWillTravel]

Trying to justify the weight in my pack. Do you use one? Pros and cons? My Vortex 10 by 42’s kind of suck. Was regretting not having something more powerful last season.

 

[bsnedeker]

Depends what your goals are. If you are rifle hunting looking for a mature bull I'd say a spotter would be good to have. If you are archery hunting or don't care about antler size there is no need. With my 10x binos I can tell a bull from a cow from quite good distance and if it's a legal bull im going for it.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Wapiti1]

85mm isn't necessary. 65mm in a quality scope is usually enough. It depends on what you want. An 85mm class scope will show you more detail in the skinny light, so you may be able to see if it is a legal bull or not. A 65mm will show you the elk, and may allow you to see if it is legal, but might not.

This assumes good glass in both cases. Good, IMO, being mid tier and up.

I use my big glass out of the truck or on shorter hikes and pack my 66mm Kowa if I need it a long way in.

Jeremy

 

[TomJoad]

Not at all. I roll with a Kowa 55 scope or often only binos. Currently 10x binos but I’ve had successful hunts with only 8x42s.

 

[justin davis]

Nope. I often hunt with no spotter for elk. If I do carry a spotter. I use a 65mm. The weight is better Prefer it for all species when carried in a pack

 

[204guy]

Upgrade your binos first, then get a good spotter- which still won't be necessary for most elk hunting.

 

[handwerk]

Agreed, first I'd get yourself some top shelf binos, you'll be amazed what you can see with good 10x42's.

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

Awesome insight/advice! Thanks all

 

[1shotgear]

It depends on the area we are hunting, but 9 times out of 10 a spotting scope is a necessity for our elk hunts. We are huge fans of the ATS 65 for most applications! 85s are nice for hunts in wide open terrain that require extensive hours behind the spotter, but the 65mm works great for most elk hunting situations!

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

85mm isn't necessary. 65mm in a quality scope is usually enough. It depends on what you want. An 85mm class scope will show you more detail in the skinny light, so you may be able to see if it is a legal bull or not. A 65mm will show you the elk, and may allow you to see if it is legal, but might not.

This assumes good glass in both cases. Good, IMO, being mid tier and up.

I use my big glass out of the truck or on shorter hikes and pack my 66mm Kowa if I need it a long way in.

Jeremy

85mm isn't necessary. 65mm in a quality scope is usually enough. It depends on what you want. An 85mm class scope will show you more detail in the skinny light, so you may be able to see if it is a legal bull or not. A 65mm will show you the elk, and may allow you to see if it is legal, but might not.

This assumes good glass in both cases. Good, IMO, being mid tier and up.

I use my big glass out of the truck or on shorter hikes and pack my 66mm Kowa if I need it a long way in.

Jeremy

How much do 65’s weight? Can you recommend a good tripod as well? Thanks!

 

[Sportsman]

I rented an 85 and will buy a 65 when I purchase. Don't think it's worth the extra weight or bulk and you can save money and get a better quality if only getting 65.

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

I rented an 85 and will buy a 65 when I purchase. Don't think it's worth the extra weight or bulk and you can save money and get a better quality if only getting 65.

What 65 would you get if/when you get one? Thanks!

 

[Sportsman]

I'm not in the market for a couple years but I really think I'd like buy a Swaro and be done with it. Cheap glass will always leave you wanting more.

If you only need a spotter for one hunt per year, renting a mid-tier one isn't a bad strategy. Rent online. Shipped to you with a return label (part of the pricing). I want to own long term because I'll also use it at the rifle range, national parks, etc. but it's down on my list of priorities for now. Good binos will come first.

 

[Wapiti1]

How much do 65’s weight? Can you recommend a good tripod as well? Thanks!

I have a Kowa 664M. With 20-60 eyepiece and cover it weighs about 50oz. The 30X eyepiece is a couple ounces heavier, but so nice to look through. For contrast, my Leica 82mm weighs 72oz and the older 77mm weighs 67oz.

Lightweight, I like the Slik CF 635 with a Manfrotto micro fluid head or Benro S2. At the truck I use a big manfrotto aluinum tripod and home made gimbal head.

Jeremy

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

I have a Kowa 664M. With 20-60 eyepiece and cover it weighs about 50oz. The 30X eyepiece is a couple ounces heavier, but so nice to look through. For contrast, my Leica 82mm weighs 72oz and the older 77mm weighs 67oz.

Lightweight, I like the Slik CF 635 with a Manfrotto micro fluid head or Benro S2. At the truck I use a big manfrotto aluinum tripod and home made gimbal head.

Jeremy

Epic, thank you!

 

[pirogue]

None of the answers mean much if no one knows what terrain you hunt. We’re not talking predominantly grasslands inhabiting pronghorn here. The places I’ve hunted elk, especially in the earlier seasons, were not “spotter” terrain.

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

Big gnarly and thick timbered mountains eastern Oregon

 

[HaveBowWillTravel]

None of the answers mean much if no one knows what terrain you hunt. We’re not talking predominantly grasslands inhabiting pronghorn here. The places I’ve hunted elk, especially in the earlier seasons, were not “spotter” terrain.

Big gnarly and thick timbered mountains eastern Oregon

 

[WCB]

85mm spotter definitely not needed...65s and in some instances smaller will work. Larger objective will help in fading light and at highest mag keep the image "brighter".

The general discussion of do you need a spotting scope depends on what you are trying to do. Are you looking at stuff 1 mile out or trying to score down to the inch a bull/buck...looking for rings on sheep horns then absolutely you need a spotter.

For just telling if something is a potential shooter, deciding to take a closer look and you aren't concerned with exacts. Get some 12x or 15x binos and a tripod.

 

[BBob]

Big gnarly and thick timbered mountains eastern Oregon

Are you looking from one big ridge to another or across large basins with slides, meadows, open area's that are available to glass? If all you are in is thick and you can't see beyond binocular range then why carry a spotting scope? If there are vantage points where you can see at distance then yes carry a scope. You can't go wrong with a Swaro 65mm w/25-50x.