Comments on: Look Out For The Other Guy

By: Bill Wayne

Bill Wayne — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 05:40:03 +0000

Having a pair of binoculars is a must in every hunting trip. Thanks for sharing these tips. If you get the chance, feel free to visit my site and learn how to create a rifle using the ar15 builder.

By: pupp

pupp — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 02:37:33 +0000

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

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:53:52 +0000

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.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:09:01 +0000

I will just add an AMEN!

By: Phillip Loughlin

Phillip Loughlin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:35:30 +0000

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.

By: Arthur

Arthur — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 02:11:48 +0000

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.

By: Al Quackenbush

Al Quackenbush — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:45:42 +0000

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.

By: NorCal Cazadora

NorCal Cazadora — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:37:13 +0000

The never-ending danger of idiots. Can’t say I’ve had this particular pleasure yet, but I’m sure my time will come…

By: Jamie

Jamie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:29:02 +0000

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.

By: T. Michael Riddle

T. Michael Riddle — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:16:17 +0000

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!