{"id":1180,"date":"2024-11-15T14:00:18","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/?p=1180&#038;fishpig=1609874657&#038;preview=true"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:30","slug":"5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\"><div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p><span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#5_Reasons_to_Own_a_Spotting_Scope\" >5 Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#Closer_to_Nature\" >Closer to Nature<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#Save_Those_Legs\" >Save Those Legs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#Spotting_Scope_Photography\" >Spotting Scope Photography<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#Easy_on_the_Eyes\" >Easy on the Eyes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-to-own-a-spotting-scope\/#Getting_into_ELR_Shooting\" >Getting into ELR Shooting<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Reasons_to_Own_a_Spotting_Scope\"><\/span>5 Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>There are a multitude of reasons why a <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/spotting-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spotting scope<\/a> could become an integral part of your overall <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/finding-a-hunting-lease\/\">hunting<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/5-reasons-why-i-enjoy-shooting-prs-competitions\/\">shooting<\/a> experience.<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bull elk spend September in the Rocky Mountain region gathering a harem of cows. Pheasants along the grain fields of the Midwest stand tall and iridescent in the early autumn sun. Whitetail bucks with their velveted racks mill among each other in an uncut bean field in Tennessee.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are the things that excite us; the times when we get to play the role of the unobtrusive and temporary spectator. Really, it\u2019s the essence of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"hunting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-best-spotting-scope-for-hunting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"313\">hunting<\/a>, to enter and leave a natural habitat undisturbed. Sometimes, in order to do this we need the right tools. More specifically, the right <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"optics\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2439\">optics<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That\u2019s where the <a title=\"Shooting a 22LR Rifle in a Whole New Way\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-ideal-glassing-kit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">optical system<\/a> of a <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/big-bore-builds\/\">spotting scope<\/a> plays such an important role in the life of one who shoots, scouts, hunts, and spends an ample amount of time observing nature. Whether you\u2019re in the market for one or haven\u2019t given it much thought, there are a multitude of reasons why a spotting <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/riflescopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" title=\"scope\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"2438\">scope<\/a> could become an integral part of your overall hunting and shooting experience.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Closer_to_Nature\"><\/span><b>Closer to Nature<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A hunter hunts because he is a conservationist. It\u2019s not a far reach to call him a nature lover. If that were not the case, then why spend so much time out in it?<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" title=\"spotting scope\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/spotting-scope-vs-binoculars\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"997\">spotting scope<\/a> is one of the most incredible tools in that it gets you closer to nature. Imagine looking at a fine bull from 1,000 yards away. There\u2019s no question of his magnificence. Now, imagine seeing that bull 25, 35, or even 55 times closer (as you increase the magnification of the spotting scope) than what he appears through the naked eye! Not only could you size him up accurately, you can also get a good read on his body language. Is he relaxed or nervous? Is he constantly checking the wind or calmly keeping an eye on his cows?<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The same could be said for a leisurely <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/fall-birding-hotspots-across-the-south\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">birding<\/a> outing. Minute features on a common warbler suddenly become detailed and intricate. The prairie chicken\u2019s springtime mating dance leaves you with a memory imprinted on your brain that you\u2019ll never forget. The examples, and possibilities, are endless.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Save_Those_Legs\"><\/span><b>Save Those Legs<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Being that a spotting scope will get you closer to nature and the animals you\u2019re pursuing, it will also allow you a closer look at the gateways of the stalk. Oftentimes, if you\u2019re perched on a high ridge that gives you 360 degrees of visibility, it\u2019s going to take a hike to get to where you\u2019d even begin to think about preparing your <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/18-turkey-hunting-gear-essentials\/\">gear<\/a> for a close-quarters stalk. Making multiple \u201cattempts\u201d when you either bust a bull because of a bad approach route or you get close and deem him too small will wear out your legs over the course of a week\u2019s hunt.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The old saying \u201cwork smart not hard\u201d plays precisely into the use of a spotting scope on a big-game hunt. Save your energy for when you truly need it. Which is hopefully spent on a trophy buck or bull that eventually leaves the woods on your back.<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spotting_Scope_Photography\"><\/span><b>Spotting Scope Photography<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The combination of <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/accessories\/digiscoping-attachments\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">digiscoping accessories<\/a> and smart phones have given amateur photographers another way to take long-distance photographs without needing to own a ton of equipment. The beauty of it (well, aside from the photographs) is that you can <a title=\"Finding the Best Spotting Scope For Long Range Shooting\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/best-spotting-scope-for-long-range-shooting\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1554\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spot and shoot<\/a> photos at the same time. In fact, having the ability to put what you\u2019re looking at on your smart phone\u2019s screen makes it a more inclusive experience.<\/span><\/p><p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1137\" title=\"Spotting Scope\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/20201129_163707-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Spotting Scope\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" \/><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Easy_on_the_Eyes\"><\/span><b>Easy on the Eyes<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A spotting scope will help preserve your eyes just as it will your legs and lungs. When you\u2019re spending long hours glassing big country, you don\u2019t want to feel discomfort or strain in the eyes. We know how a <a title=\"Glassing Kit The Ideal Components\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/the-beginners-guide-to-using-a-spotting-scope\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1809\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">spotting scope\u2019s magnification<\/a> gets you closer to the target. What the scope should also do is provide enough eye relief &#8211; the distance from your eye to the lens &#8211; so that you\u2019re not forced to lean too hard into it. A scope with long <a title=\"Rifle Marksmanship: Scope Fundamentals\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/binoculars-eye-relief\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1417\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">eye relief<\/a> will give you the full picture without blurry edges and a sore neck and eyes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2 style=\"text-align: justify\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_into_ELR_Shooting\"><\/span><b>Getting into ELR Shooting<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a title=\"Introducing the TORIC 34MM 4-25X50 Extreme Long Range Rifle Scope\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/videosview\/toric-34mm-4-25x50\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Extreme long range<\/a> (ELR) shooting requires ELR <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-binocular\/\">optics<\/a>. In order to accurately define your bullet\u2019s <a title=\"adjusting scope to point of impact\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tag\/adjusting-scope-to-point-of-impact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">point of impact<\/a>, you need optics that can hone in on small spots from long distances. It\u2019s a convenience, really. Rather than using the <a title=\"adjusting a rifle scope\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/tag\/adjusting-a-rifle-scope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rifle scope<\/a> for shooting and spotting. Or even more time consuming, walking down range every three shots. Unless of course you\u2019re in it for the exercise, then by all means.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Optics in general are built to enhance the outdoor experience. In many cases, a <a title=\"Best Binoculars for Hunting Out West\" href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/blog\/best-binoculars-for-hunting-out-west\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">binocular is a sufficient tool to meet all of your hunting<\/a> and shooting needs. When you want more magnification, more depth, and a closer look at nature, animals, or long-range targets, the spotting scope is your answer.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">One final thought. Spotting scopes require one important accessory &#8211; a <a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/accessories\/tripods-and-heads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tripod<\/a>. Window mounts, cases, and digiscope devices are optional. And will undoubtedly add to the amount of fun and overall good use you\u2019ll get with this already dynamic tool. But the tripod is a vital part to the setup that you simply shouldn\u2019t go without.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/tractoptics.com\/spotting-scopes\/toric-spotting-scopes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1335 size-full\" title=\"The Best Coyote Hunting Cartridges\" src=\"http:\/\/blog.tractoptics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/TRACT_Spotting_Scope_728x90.jpg\" alt=\"The Best Coyote Hunting Cartridges\" width=\"728\" height=\"90\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/01\/TRACT_Spotting_Scope_728x90.jpg 728w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/01\/TRACT_Spotting_Scope_728x90-300x37.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/01\/TRACT_Spotting_Scope_728x90-600x74.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/01\/TRACT_Spotting_Scope_728x90-150x19.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px\" \/><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>5 Reasons to Own a Spotting Scope | TRACT design and engineer performance-grade optics without the added retail costs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":11992,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2275,2265],"tags":[2325,2460,2797,2947,2958,3240,3243,3244,3246,3247,3249,3253,3254,3255,3256,3257,3261,3262,3263],"class_list":["post-1180","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-accessories","category-rifle-scope","tag-accessories","tag-big-game-hunting","tag-hunting","tag-nature","tag-optics","tag-sporting-life-yeti","tag-spoting-scope","tag-spotter-scope","tag-spotting-monocular","tag-spotting-scope","tag-spotting-scope-cell-phone-mount","tag-spotting-scope-reviews","tag-spotting-scope-sale","tag-spotting-scope-tripod","tag-spotting-scope-vs-rangefinder","tag-spotting-scope-window-mount","tag-spotting-scopes","tag-spotting-scopes-canada","tag-spotting-scopes-reviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1180","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1180"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1180\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11273,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1180\/revisions\/11273"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11992"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1180"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1180"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tract-optics.co.za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1180"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}