Black Bear Hunting.....Red dot or traditional scope?
08-13-2008, 09:05 AM
#1
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 11
Black Bear Hunting.....Red dot or traditional scope?
I leave a week from this Friday for a black bear hunt in Canada. I've been there before and used my Remington 1100 with Buckhammers. At the time, I had a scope on my shotgun.
This time, I am taking my .444 Marlin which I have not had a chance to hunt with yet. All of my shots will be 50 yards or less from the ground and over bait. The place that I purchased my rifle from insisted that I would be very pleased with a holographic red dot site since the only time I will use this rifle is for close hunts. My only concern is low light situations. The biggest of the bears wait until low light to come in and I don't want to be in a situation whereby I cannot see to shoot.
I have looked elsewhere for advice but really did not find any regarding low light situations. I can put a scope on my .444 but I do prefer the lightweight of the red dot. Any advise is greatly appreciated!
Bob
This time, I am taking my .444 Marlin which I have not had a chance to hunt with yet. All of my shots will be 50 yards or less from the ground and over bait. The place that I purchased my rifle from insisted that I would be very pleased with a holographic red dot site since the only time I will use this rifle is for close hunts. My only concern is low light situations. The biggest of the bears wait until low light to come in and I don't want to be in a situation whereby I cannot see to shoot.
I have looked elsewhere for advice but really did not find any regarding low light situations. I can put a scope on my .444 but I do prefer the lightweight of the red dot. Any advise is greatly appreciated!
Bob
08-13-2008, 11:45 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Southeast Alabama
Posts: 1,625
RE: Black Bear Hunting.....Red dot or traditional scope?
Your hunt is next week go with what you have and don't risk getting things messed up right before you have to leave. You will need experience with what you have for those just in case moments.
08-13-2008, 11:49 AM
#3
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 7,168
RE: Black Bear Hunting.....Red dot or traditional scope?
I have shot my rifle bears with a regular scope. Make sure you have a duplex that is not black when on the animal. Some appear as brownish gold... these you can pick up easily. Maybe go w/ see through mounts so u can use irons if needed...
08-13-2008, 01:43 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: North Central Idaho
Posts: 539
RE: Black Bear Hunting.....Red dot or traditional scope?
A red dot or low powered scope would both work well depending on their quality. Some areas do not allow the use of electronic sights for hunting, so make sure to check. With the short time frame I would stick with the open sights, maybe slap some glow paint or whiteout on the front sight, that's what I did with my 444.
