What is the recommended spotting scope size for various distances?

[Camo_Man]

I'm going to be hunting in an area that has about a 10 mile open range with various drainages and about 5-7 miles wide.

I'm not necessarily looking for glass that I can read a license plate from 10 miles away. Just want to know if they are legal bucks to go after? Not a trophy guy.

Could someone perhaps give some recommendations and descriptions of detail being able to see with various magnifications?

I have Vortex 10x40 binos but questioning if I should get a scope for this hopeful hunt. Mule deer.

Thanks in advance.

 

[uwantasandwich]

i have some experience with spotting scopes, though am not by any means an expert, but since no one has replied i'll throw in my two cents. I would say that looking at animals 5-10 miles away is a pretty damn long way and that to even be able to judge general age/quality you'd be best off with one of the higher powered scopes, say like a 20-60x maybe. any of the other guys with a lot more experience want to weigh in?

 

[WRO]

For doing that kind of work, you are going to want the best of the best.. Kowa or an X series Swarovski in a large objective 88/95.

 

[Pac8541]

From what you're describing it sounds like you're less interested in scoring a buck than you are locating one. And with an area that large you can't avoid hiking all over it, from vantage point to vantage point in search of animals to move on. Observing from just 1 or 2 points just isn't going to allow you to cover the whole thing regardless of the scope you're using. At the very least I would think you're going to have to deal with wind vibration, mirage, and haze in the air over distances like that which would require you get closer just to see the animal clearly at all.

I would agree that the finest glass is best but I think that's true in any situation. Buy the best you can afford. But I don't think that means you need to go for the biggest objective or largest zoom ratio. I'd be comfortable using something with a 65mm objective with a top end magnification no less than 40X. If you're looking for antlers that'd do just fine cuz again, I don't think you can avoid having to move around a fair bit no matter what you're looking through. I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, just don't believe in spending $4K on a spotter because its going to make up for extreme distance.

 

[elkguide]

That will be one expensive spotter to correctly judge at 10 miles. I would want a 20X60X65 at least to have a "chance" to do what you're asking the spotter to do and I would spend good money on a very good tripod. On top of those requirements, you'll really need an expensive, quality glass to do that too.

 

[WRO]

I'm sure I'm stating the obvious, just don't believe in spending $4K on a spotter because its going to make up for extreme distance.

It absolutely makes a huge difference at extreme distance. I've spent enough side by side time with decent spotters and great spotters, the blob that looks like sage brush in a cheap spotter, is a deer in a good spotter.

 

[Camo_Man]

Thanks for your input. The More I think about it, weight is my biggest concern. Think I'm going to move around with a smaller scope. Great info, not owning a scope. Good luck this season!