$2000 budget.

Have a chance now for hunting out west where spot-stalk is the norm. How necessary is a spotting scope? I have decent binos - 8x40 Swarovski. Any advice welcomed. Thanks.

I see more Leupold spotters in elk country than all others combined. That would be my choice for a very good spotter that will come in under budget.

Lots of info/reviews out there. Good Luck.

Spotting scopes are for "Judging" trophies..........60X is good.

Binos are for locating; 12X is what I use.

Most importantly; Get a lifetime warranty ($$$) !!!

Buy it once.

if you spend more than $1000 on a spotting scope, how much are you in shape to close the distance.

Dang Valentine, you killin' me! But are right on.

I decided to forego the spotting scope. Didn't really have the budget for a good one anyway. And turned out I did not need on at all. Despite about 6 months of walking, hiking and a bit of jogging .... lifting etc. .... I thought I was good to go. However, the 8,500' -10,000' elevation and working up and down ridge after ridge had me huffing and puffing much of the time. The thinner air turned out to be the deal to me ..... a guy that is 67 and lives and worked out at about 300 ft. above sea level. But it was all good and I was able to get on a good bull my second day out and filled the freezer. Just wish my dad had made it a few more days so I could have shared my trip with him.