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Successful Scouting Depends on Quality Optics.
The day had finally arrived. The trip that we saved for, prepared for, and spent hours studying maps for was upon us. It was the first day of our Midwest whitetail hunt. As we stood on top of a huge rock bluff looking out across vast and rolling alfalfa fields, a cow pasture with a road system meandered along the fence line out of sight in the horizon. We both had a positive vibe.
At last, we placed our eyes on the property that we so meticulously combed through on Topo Maps. We surveyed pinch points, water sources, staging areas, active food sources, and possible stand locations. There was a definite recognition of the property but standing above it looking across it made it all come alive, and we felt the excitement start to build about the stand site choices that we marked on the maps.
This was the first day or our hunt, and normally we take the first day for “feet on the ground” scouting, checking signs near the stand sites we penciled in and putting out game cameras. If we have time, we put our stands up on this day. We drove twenty-one hours and had about four hours of daylight left so we did as much of a walk-through as we could without disturbing much. We made mental notes on stand placement and then we headed back to the bluff to scout by glassing the edges of the three fields around us and beyond into the agricultural fields. That last hour of daylight is so magical that if you blink, you just might miss something.
We have tried several brands of spotting scopes in the past but didn’t find one that we were both comfortable with. On this trip, we brought along the Hawke Sport Optics Endurance Spotting Scope in 16-48×68 with an angled lens. When unboxing the scope, it was nice to find that it came with a quality soft-padded, stay-on nylon scope cover for protection. This cover allows the scope to be fully accessible on a tripod without removing the cover. The Endurance Spotting Scope provided an intense color image with crisp contrast even in low light through the fully multi-coated optics with dielectric coatings and BAK-4 Porro prisms. The Nitrogen purged scope worked flawlessly when the temperature dropped rapidly.
The spotting scope was easy to mount on a tripod head and offered a rotating tripod band allowing body rotation for viewing in any position. Two focus knobs offered quick, crisp adjustment and ultra-fine focusing. The twist-up cup made it easy for quick adjustment for each of us, one wearing eyeglasses and the other contacts. The pull out shade was convenient when the sun was positioned on the horizon in the direction we needed to view two bucks walking out unto the alfalfa field. The close focus is 16.4 feet, and the Field of View (FOV) is 130.5-64.5 feet at 1,000 yards. This spotting scope is Digi-Scope compatible, but we did not have the opportunity to use that option. We plan to use that when we take a trip out west for turkey hunting this spring.
The Hawke Sport Optics Endurance 16-4×68 Spotting Scope is available in green or black and comes supplied with a full stay-on scope cover with carrying strap, lens caps, lens cloth, and Hawke’s Lifetime Warranty. This high-quality spotting scope is affordable and sure to last many seasons.
Helpful Tips From Hawke On Maintaining Your Spotting Scope
Storage: When not in use keep lens covers on. Store your spotting scope in the protective carry case in a moisture-free environment.
Removal Dirt & Debris: It is imperative you first remove any small dirt particles from the lenses before using a cloth. Use either a lens blower or very fine brush.
Cleaning the Lenses: Gently rub the lens with the lens cloth that comes with your binocular, or a similar soft, lint less cloth.
Cleaning the Body: It’s recommended to first remove any small particles or dirt using a blower or very fine brush. To remove stubborn dirt or grease, add one or two drops of isopropyl alcohol to the cloth.
IMPORTANT: Do not use any household glass or cleaning products. Abrasive solutions can damage the lenses. Never attempt to clean your binocular internally or try to take it apart. Any attempt to open your spotting scope will invalidate your warranty and could cause irreparable damage.
Endorsement Disclosure: Per the guidelines of the Federal Trade Commission, the products reviewed or mentioned within this writing is an endorsement and the writer may or may not have been compensated by “in-kind” payment to review the product. Logos and photos are the sole property of the rightful owner and used within this writing solely for the promotion of products herein as requested by the product’s manufacturer or in efforts of product exposure for the manufacturers.
