optics for alpine bear

[A5ianDunEatRice]

Hey does anyone have any recommendations for how big of a spotting scope to get for alpine bear in the NW? I'm runnign through a couple options and I'm trying to minimize overall weight while not sacrificing the quality optic which would also be used for other big game in the future.

 

[duf duf]

I'm also in the market for a spotter with a similar use case and I will probably get a zeiss apia or maven S.3A

 

[ianpadron]

Dont need anything fancy or heavy for bears. You're looking for cubs in the periphery and body size versus counting tines/points.

What's your budget?

 

[R boar]

I use 12x50 binos on a tripod and don't ever wish for a spotter when I'm hunting bears

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I only have one spotting scope, it’s an ats65, I can honestly say I don’t even look at new spotters anymore. Are there better, lighter ones out there? Sure but for the $$$ they cost I can’t imagine upgrading.

If I did, I’d get that newer (heck probably 3-4 years at this point since it came out) compact swarovski scope.

 

[Jake Larsen]

Kowa 66 - sweet spot of weight and low light performance. I’ve had the bigger Kowas, and both the ATX and ATS Swaros of various sized. The Kowa is top dog…clarity and color are second to none.

I do a lot of alpine bear hunting, and find it to be perfect. With a good digiscoping kit for a phone it takes phenomenal video to judge bears.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[danhuntingmi]

I echo the sentiments that while bears are hard to judge I'm not sure if a bigger spotter is going to make it easier. You kind of have to know by the shape of the bear. I also don't use spotters for spotting much. I mostly try to catch them feeding in the open. If you use spotters for spotting then you'll probably want something bigger or nicer.