Look Out For The Other Guy
This is going to rub a lot of Hunter Safety Instructors and advocates the wrong way, but I don’t wear orange when I’m hunting unless I’m required by law to do so. In CA, there is no Hunter Orange requirement, so when I take to the field for hogs, deer, or upland birds, I’m usually dressed in camo, or at least earth tones and neutral colors. I’m not worried about being spotted by the game. I do, however, worry about being spotted by certain other hunters.
What I have experienced, particularly on public land (but also on private) is that if you stand out visually in the field, you’re going to get looked over. That, in itself is normal enough. If you spot something out of place in the field, it’s perfectly natural to want to get a better look. Unfortunately, way too many of the idiots out there do their looking with the rifle scope instead of binoculars. It’s happened time and again to me, and with that in mind, I’ve consciously chosen to try not to draw attention to myself by wearing orange or other bright colors. I’d rather not be seen than to have some yo-yo looking down the rifle barrel at me.
Yeah, I called them idiots, and if you, dear reader are one of the individuals that uses the rifle scope to glass unidentified objects in the field, then this applies to you as well. It’s a stupid, dangerous, thoughtless move, and it’s totally unnecessary. For my own part, I get angry and usually offer the one-finger salute to anyone I see scoping me in the field. But I know other guys who will return the favor by aiming back at the offending party… and that creates a pretty dangerous situation, even if it is all a bluff.
Fortunately, it’s easy enough to change your ways.
A pair of binoculars should be a standard piece of gear for any big game hunter. While quality binos are better, and generally worth the higher cost, a reasonable pair can be had for under $100. Even a $20, Wal-Mart special will help you identify the odd-colored shape down in the canyon without pointing a deadly weapon at it. Better to have something than nothing, especially in the open country of the western states.
I’m not going to run through a comparison of all the various glass on the market right now, because the list is pretty exhaustive. If you’re shopping, I would recommend buying the best you can afford. All of the major brands make some pretty good glass. For most western hunting, I’d go with something in the 10x power range, with a 40 or 50mm objective. If you get much over 10x, you’ll need to consider a tripod, because it’s difficult to hold high-powered optics steady.
But again, if you can’t afford real quality glass, at least get something. And when you see a shape, color, or movement downrange, use those binos to identify it BEFORE you put the rifle on it. Do yourself, and the other hunters in the field a favor.
Well said Phillip!
I have kicked a few IDIOTS off of the properties for the very same offense after repeatedly warning them that I would do so, and I usually give a stern warning once, more stern twice and then the third time……. YER OUTTA’ HERE you YO YO!
I wont put up with that dangerous habit while out guiding someone or just out with a friend even.
Cause the next thing which they scope could be ME!
January 5th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I’m with you through the binocular advice, but wearing earth tones while spot and stalk big game hunting? Wouldn’t you think the adrenaline level goes much higher, and withit, the danger level, when the idiot scoping you thinks you’re exactly what he’s after? At least the idiot knows he’s looking at a human being if you’ve got your orange on and, therefore, won’t have his thumb on the safety.
Buy binoculars and use them.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:29 am
The never-ending danger of idiots. Can’t say I’ve had this particular pleasure yet, but I’m sure my time will come…
January 5th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Great post, Phillip! I have heard this exact scenario over and over, especially this year with all of the fires. i had to buddies go out to fill archery tags in an archery only area and he counted 7 guys going into it with rifles. Yeah, idiots is a good word to describe the guy with smoke poles. My buddies turned right around and went home. They did not want to take the chance of someone scoping them with a rifle scope.
Buy a good pair of binos. You can find inexpensive ones even on Craigslist. I got a great spotting scope a few weeks back off of that site. Spend the money, get a good set up and use them often. Just think of how many lives would be ruined if were checking out ‘movement’ with your rifle scope and touched off the trigger only to realize it was a fellow hunter. Yeah, one hunter down and the other in prison for being an idiot.
I feel pretty strongly about this and people need to think clearly before they hunt. Excellent post, Phillip.
January 5th, 2010 at 9:45 am
I only wear orange when I’m required as well. I can’t say I’ve ever knowingly had the opportunity to be scoped by one of these idiots. I suppose it could have happened, but if it did I was unaware.
I can’t even imagine using a scope to identify an unknown object. That is simply idiotic. Use your binoculars fellas.
January 5th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Thanks for the good words, folks, and Jamie, your response is definitely on-target as well.
I figured someone would go there, and you’re right to do so from a pure, hunter safety point of view. Logically, it makes sense that being more visible would lead to a safer hunt. Statistics probably bear that out.
But it’s hard to argue with what I’ve witnessed so many times. The closest I’ve come to being shot by another hunter has been while I was wearing orange… not even counting the number of times I’ve been scoped.
I spend a lot of time watching other hunters when I’m hunting public land (there’s more hunters than there are deer or hogs), and I’m constantly amazed… first by the number of guys who don’t even carry binos, and second by the number who think nothing of throwing their rifle up to scope other hunters. I’ve also noticed that most of them never see me, nor do they see animals… but they always seem to spot the movement of red, orange, or yellow. And they always seem to want to get a closer look with that scope, even though I’ve yet to hear of a red, yellow, or orange deer.
I’m not sure I’d ever go so far as to advise another hunter against wearing orange. That would be downright irresponsible. Everyone should weigh the odds for themselves and make their own choice. There are strong arguments for wearing orange. For my own part, though, I’ll opt against it. Maybe one day I’ll regret it.
January 5th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I will just add an AMEN!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Well put Phil. There really is no reason to “Scope” a person in the field. Getting back to the basics in Hunter Ed, you never point your business end at something you dont intend to shoot. It’s as simple as that. Buy a pair of binos and call it good.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:53 am
once we went on a hunt with a kid and he pointed the gun at my dad and he told him if he did it again were packing up our stuff and leaving that instance that was a few years ago now and that kid has propaly not yet learned hunter saftey read this and think to your self the next time you go hunting with an untrained hunter and think to your self WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO!!!!! until next time see ya
January 22nd, 2010 at 6:37 pm
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May 31st, 2010 at 9:40 pm