I used to hunt with open sights like buckman. I had a severe eye injury this year and I can't see anything without optical assistance(binos and scopes). But when my eyes straighten up I don't think I'll hunt without a scope. Just have a variable scope. My opinion optics don't have to have as much magnification as we use. Best results I've had is 1.5-5x. And on running/moving deer you can actually concentrate more on animal through scope. Don't give up, in 1995 I missed a droptine 150 class at 15 yds with a iron sighted 50 cal. I recovered.