I've never really hunted with a scope before, but I've now got a Leupold on my muzzleloader. I bought some Butler Creek flip-up scope covers for the scope because I don't want the lenses to get scratched up when walking thru heavy brush, etc. But I'm also thinking that if I am still hunting and I spot a deer, flipping the covers open is something that could cost me the shot (with the time it takes to open them and/or the noise they could make if I accidentally let one fly open). Another downside is that I'll have to take off the rear site of the gun in order for the front cover to be able to open, and the site is there in case the scope gets banged hard enough that I'm worried about it still being zeroed.

How likely are branches, briars, etc to scratch your lenses??