If you can use a scope in your state, use it. If not, find the best way that allows you to shoot.

Im only 27 but my eyes arent that great and so other than good glasses i started using the clear2target sticky on my glasses and it really clears up the fuzzy sights.

What about us old boys that can see deer at 75 yard, but can't see the front sight? If we put a magnifier on, we can see the front sight, but cannot see the deer at 75 yard. What about us?

A solution is a 1X scope. That way the image of the cross hair, and the image of the deer are both in the same place. We can see the aimer, and the aimee simultaneously. The 1X scope doesn't cheat the young fellers that can use iron sights. Not allowing 1X scopes cheats the old boys, because they just cannot focus on the front sight and the deer at the same time.

I hunt muzzle loader season and shoot at deer all the while not being able to focus on the front sight of my rifle. Am i being ethical? Is it my fault i may gut shoot a deer? Is it the state' fault i may gut shoot a deer? I don't care; i just keep killing deer, and putting them in the freezer. If i wing a deer, and the birds, coyotes, lions, or maggots eat it, is that OK?

Hey Builder

When I was 53 I did not use a scope either. I am now 70 and I can't focus on the open sights. So scope for me now or give up hunting.

i meant to put some kinda clause in there.....i totally understand any kinda handicap.

I fought not using a scope for years. I really like open sights.

However, i'm 68, blind in one eye and 20/40 in my good eye (?).

My eye doctor filled out a form for me, and got me a special permit that allows me to use a scope during our ML season. I guess it's time to use it. Much safer for the animal if I can take an accurate shot.

I was worried about getting some flak. I talked to our local warden, and he said he'd prefer to see me use a scope, and if any hunters don't like it they can talk to him about it. He said they won't be happy after he gets done talking to them.

So, it's a scope for me from now on.

Whichever makes a humane kill more likely and makes your shooting time more enjoyable is the right choice IMO.

This discussion to me centers only on one thing.... ME. Now that might sound a little self centered to some, but even if it is... so what. If scopes are legal in your state, then YOU have to decide how you want to hunt. Never worry about what someone else might think of you using a scope or not. You need to hunt with what makes you happy.

A prime example... modern rifle season, I was hunting with a person. When he saw I had a open sighted muzzleloader and two tags to fill, he ragged on me for the mile walk back into the woods yo where the stands were. That day was the day I shot once and killed two deer. He never mentioned my selection again. But the point is, I hunted with what made me happy and what I was sure I could get the job done with.

But consider this.. if with open sights your a bad shot or have poor vision, then adjust your distance you will shoot to match your abilities. All too often people were shooting far past their capabilities. This results in misses, wounds, and even danger to fellow hunters to some degree. If your eye sight is poor or you just like to be able to shoot further, more accurate, then use a scope. It is that simple. I would rather hunt with a person using a scoped rifle and making good clean shots then someone with open sights... unable to shoot distances, and all they do is trim trees.

The distances where I hunt are normally 50 yards or less. But I would still use a scoped rifle. I have a little LK-II with a 2.5x20mm scope that is perfect for being in a tree stand and making these very precise between branches in small shooting lane shots. With that rifle I know that I can make the hard shots. So why would I not want to use it. Yet I have other stands where with open sights, I have shot a lot of deer. But I am far more careful about taking a shot with open sights. Why... I can see better with a scope.

So use what you like, forget about others opinions, and just have a lot of fun. Make your shots count, and your quarry suffer less.