New to Hunting: Anyone Else Start with a Competition Scope?

[momogohigh]

Hey everyone,

I'm a complete beginner to turkey  hunting. I've done some target shooting and participated in a couple of local matches using a LPVO-style scope—specifically a 1-6x I originally bought for competition use.

Since I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy hunting long-term, I decided not to buy a dedicated hunting scope yet. Instead, I figured I'd try out my existing match optic setup this season. It's not super high-end, but holds zero well and the glass is decent in early morning light.

Anyone else start hunting using a match or tactical LPVO? Curious how it worked out for you, especially in thicker woods or low light. Eventually I might upgrade to a traditional hunting optic if I really get into this.

Appreciate any tips for turkey hunting as a total beginner—gear, stalking advice, calling, you name it.

Thanks!

[Bowguy]

I'm not sure what the difference is in "tactical". I'm guessing optic marks. That being the case I'd say you're fine. An lpvo is more than sufficient. I use prism scopes mostly now.
Good luck and welcome aboard

[Bowguy]

To answer your question more completely. I'd leave the power at 1-3x. Shots will be or should be close. Myself I use 2X with a prism. As high as 4x with a scope but it was fixed and I had no choice. Thick cover is not the spot you'll find em very often. 
In turkey hunting the word stalking should never be used. That's what gets guys hurt. Don't do it.
The other thing to mention is what ga don't plan to use? If a 12ga the turkey loads will kick substantially. If you were using it on a smaller caliber rifle like a .223 or even a little bigger like .308 the recoil might surprise you so make sure your scope has eye relief. And to be honest, I've never used prisms w optics on. Don't think you will either. By the time they fly down in morn or fly up at night if you can hunt all day in the state you are hunting non illuminated optics are more than good

[silvestris]

Most hunters would be fine with a good reflex optic.  BOTH EYES OPEN! No problem with depth perception.  No parallax.  Shoot from either shoulder.
Just put the dot on his neck/head and squeeze the trigger.  You need no magnification at sporting range, somewhere close to 35 yards.  Some eye problems may interfere with reflex optics and require a different sighting system.

[momogohigh]

Thanks!!

[Twowithone]

Bad eyes here. Put a Simmons Pro Diamond on my Winnie 1300 25+ yrs ago still holding zero put that head and neck in the Diamond lights out.

[GobbleNut]

Here is a perspective of a guy who has tried just about every type of sighting device imaginable...and has always gone back to shooting open sights/beads for turkeys.

First of all, I am assuming you are talking about hunting turkeys with a shotgun and whether or not the scope you are using would work when mounted on a shotgun. (most states do not allow single-projectile (rifles/handguns) firearms for turkey hunting).

The first requirement in shooting without an optic is that the shotgun you are shooting is "true" in that the shot pattern is centered on the target when you aim down the barrel the way you naturally (and correctly) would and shoot the gun. If your shotgun's point of aim (POA) is not true to the point of impact (POI), then you should certainly consider some sort of optic. If the POA/POI is true, then you might want to consider shooting without an optic sight. Personally, I have always found it easier to acquire the target...a gobbler's head and neck at what are considered to be reasonable ranges for shooting at them...with open/bead sights.

If you choose to go the optic route, I would advise getting an optic that is made specifically for turkey hunting. Generally speaking, I believe most of them have either no magnification, or very low magnification. There is a reason for that. The first is that shooting turkeys is a close-range endeavor. Here on OG, the recommended maximum range is forty yards or thereabouts...and using skillful calling and woodsmanship (subjects we might delve into later, if desired), it is not difficult to bring gobblers to within that range (which many of us here consider to be whole "point" of it).

At those ranges, having any sort of magnification in your optic is going to do two things. First of all, in "tricky" situations, it will make it more difficult for you to acquire that target area on a bird. Secondly, it will possibly cause you to shoot at a gobbler that is not in range because of the magnification of the bird in your scope (been there, done that).

All things considered, a lot of turkey hunters use optics of some sort...but they are most certainly not a necessity in those cases where a shotgun shoots where you are aiming (around these parts, I know a lot of turkey hunters...and none of them shoot optics). Regardless of which choice you make, it is important that you take the time to "learn" your gun...shoot it until you are confident and find the choke and load combination that optimizes its performance for turkey hunting. 

[Hook hanger]

If your gun shoots poa/poi then why complicate things! I've used about all of the different type of sights they all have thier positives and negatives about each type.

[Ihuntoldschool]

It will work. Keep it on the low end of the variable power range.

You'll get better eye relief, better field of view, less parallax effect and youll have a better chance of finding the turkey in the scope in thick brush , low light, poor weather etc.