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??

Hmm. I don't use covers while hunting with my Husky setup, just for storage and transportaion.But I have seen lenses scratched on very nice optics. I personally think more scratches happen through improper cleaning pratices than anything else.But things happen in the field and lenses do get scratched. It's a chance I'm willing to take cause my scope is older and cause these animals can hear a pin drop from 1 mile away they don't have big ears for nothing and the extra movements don't help either.For my other rifle setups I take no chances I use them, but they are both custom, expensive, I mainly use these as target rifles not hunting rifles.If your rifle setup is a tool made for hunting, treat it as such clean and maintain it but be prepared for a few minor nicks and scratches.It's what I do.

"I don't use covers while hunting with my------ setup, just for storage and transportaion."


+1.............ready, set, shoot