Where are the expert elk hunters here??

[Nightowlruss]

I'm almost all set for my first elk hunt. The plan is to hike in a couple miles. I've got plenty of backcountry experience, just none while hunting. Do you guys use a rifle cover, or just use scope caps? It's a silly question, but I'm curious.

Many thanks

 

[Nightowlruss]

I will share my experience with you all here with some pictures.

 

[Poser]

Do you guys use a rifle cover, or just use scope caps?

Not an expert. I do often use a rifle cover if conditions involve moisture or particular nastiness on the approach: crawling under blowdown and what not.

Side note: I do often use a rifle cover when using popular trails just to avoid paranoid interactions and endless questions about "can you hunt here?" or, worse, "don't shoot my dog!"
You would be surprised at the amount of people who ask you how the fishing was when you have a rifle cover over your rifle.

 

[sodaksooner]

Caps but honestly they almost cost me a buck. Some moisture was trapped inside the cap and caused the lens to fog. For some reason I checked them before I started my stalk and got them cleaned up.

 

[Jon Boy]

Neoprene cover generally.

 

[Dennis]

Always have them with me on trips, but rarely on the rifle while hunting unless fowl weather or dusty. For actual hunting I like either flip off caps or the bikini style scope caps. The ones in the photo just flick off and hang off the left side of the rifle. The Bikini style seems better in real wet weather. I do use the neoprene covers the rest of the year to protect my scope most often.

 

[CC11]

If the gun is on my pack I use a Solo Hunter cover over the top of a neoprene scope cover. If I'm sitting glassing just the scope cover. If I'm still hunting and I'm not worried about water getting on the scope then the cover comes off, otherwise it stays on.

 

[BRTreedogs]

You need to be an expert elk hunter to answer a scope cover question?

 

[WeiserBucks]

You need to be an expert elk hunter to answer a scope cover question?

Absolutely, the question is regarding elk hunting scope covers. No different than the various questions about elk hunting packs, elk hunting shelters, elk hunting sunglasses, elk hunting underwear ect.

 

[Valumpessa]

Scope bikini. If conditions are dry it just stays in the pack, but I always carry one.

 

[Ndelkguy]

When hunting in snowy conditions i will run a piece of electrical tape over the end of the barrel to keep the snow & ice out as well.

 

[zrodwyo]

Cheap neoprene scope covers from Amazon. I lose at least one per season in the excitement of making the shot.

 

[dirtshooter]

Butler creek are cheap and break. Right now I have a rubber bikini cover which probably takes the same amount of time to take off as the BC covers. Not sure I'll change cause it fits pretty right and the BC don't stop moisture either.

 

[Buglebrush]

Neoprene cover generally.

This. Neoprene Scope Cover. Won't own a rifle that's not stainless.

 

[Jon Boy]

Cheap neoprene scope covers from Amazon. I lose at least one per season in the excitement of making the shot.

I found one that has a little clip that loops on so you won’t lose it, works great and doesn’t get in the way. I also lost a handful of them before I found that!

 

[Caseknife]

While I am hunting, nothing is on my scope, but the muzzle is taped.

Try this little experiment, cut a piece of cardboard square that will just fit into the objective lens of your scope and then look through it, surprisingly can see the target rather easily. I don't worry about stuff on the lens too much unless going through snowy close timber/brush. Worse is a tamarack needle in your peep sight.

 

[smith3442]

never a cover or caps. Stuff can happen fast after 5 days on the mountain. Known to many people that have missed an opportunity.

 

[<cascadehunter>]

Neoprene scope cover. I think it’s faster to remove than flip caps, and protects the entire optic. That plus electrical tape over the muzzle, never an issue in PNW torrential downpour.

 

[nobody]

Neoprene scope cover and electrical tape on the muzzle. I shoot tikkas and AR’s, no other rifles in my safe. If I had a Remington or Kimber or basically anything else I would make sure my action was covered and protected from water, ice, and debris as well as the scope and muzzle.

 

[MallardSX2]

Unfortunately, the master of all masters was banned a while back. Hopefully some of us lesser stags can offer some assistance. lol





I use a Neoprene cover until daylight. Then I'm bareback for the rest of the day until dark.