JP - A properly mounted scope is your best bet for quick target acquisition. You don't want one too high. Get the lowest height ring you can use. You never did say what power scope you have or what rifle.
I too hunt some pretty thick stuff and I put a 1.75 - 4X on my Marlin Guide Gun. Its actually a shogun scope with the circle/crosshair reticle. One the lowest setting, I can pick up game quicker than when I used both iron sights and a peep sight. If I am going to hunt more open areas, I will use another flatter shooting rifle with a 2 -7x or 3 - 9x scope.