Odd question, Anyone use a sight lens while hunting ?
 

Been tossing around posting this question because I don't want to promote
over extending target shot limits for hunting shot limits. (self emposed).

My own personal hunting limits are 30 yards and under reguardless of what
I can do on target past that.

I shoot an older slower bow at lesser dw than most 60lbs.

Tomorrow I'm going to add a 4x lens to my Fast Eddie (for target) just to see
for the next week how much that helps or hinders my target groups.

I have no intention to use it for hunting season this fall, still have 3 weeks
before it begins.

But am curious if anyone of you use a sight lens for target off season and
still use it when hunting season starts.

Any concerns about fogging or misting rain or clouding in hunting situations
is what I'm wondering about mainly.

Is it even neccisary for shots under 30 yards ? I doubt it.
Just wanting to see if others who use a lens to target shoot with use it for hunting too.
If it's not a dissadvantage to leave the lens in the sight to hunt then that would make things a bit more simplified.

I imagine most people don't. It would fog, get frosted, get all gummed up with debris, and you don't need one for a 30 yard shot. I was thinking about adding one to my bow last year for longer shots, but the guys at Jim Bows talked me out of it.

Agreed. I have shot 3d shoots with people with lenses and clarifiers/verifiers and when the weather went bad they were scrambling to keep their optics usable. Not something I would like to have to deal with out in the bush!

I use a 4x lens and a #1 clarifier on my spot bow. This might give you a starting point? It really is pretty cool for that application!

Norm

Thanks for the info.
From shooting with the lens the other day I noticed some blurring at the
target end but mostly a somewhat double vision effect. Only took a dozen
shots or so was all time permitted, I shoot with both eyes open for
pins right eye dominant.

Are you supposed to close one eye when looking through a lens like you
would if using a rifle scope ?
Seems like you should just didn't think of this the other day.

And yes I think a clarifier who help me out but it's too close to hunting season
right now to do a peep change, plus I'm trying out the lens this week just to
see what's like to shoot with one.

Mid to late Nov. I'll be done hunting and looking into getting a new peep that
excepts a clarifier.

Thanks for the help.

I always shoot with both eyes open when I'm shooting my hunting bow or shooting 3d. I have noticed that sometimes I can shoot my spot Bow with both eyes open, and sometimes I can't. It seems kind of hit and miss that way for the way my eyes work anyway.

Hey Norm, I know you all are into fall hunting season right now, I'm getting ready
for it down here myself. Hope you don't mind if I ask you to post a "how to" on
setting up a scope for your bow sight when you get some time.

There are many factors and setting involved and to be considered when trying
to set up a sight with a lens. Example .. how far in or out do you move the sight
housing using the dove tail mount of the site to start with ?
Do you start with a clarifier in your peep or add that later, trying 2x -6x lens ?
When do you need a verifier or not ?

I've seen you help many others with bow and tuning questions and would really
like to hear how you get your self set up with a lens etc.
Would help me out a lot (nubbie) and maybe some others on here too.
Now maybe not the time I understand but if you could put something up later
that would be great!
Send me a PM if you do so I can check it out, Thanks.
:-)

I moved the sight in or out on the dovetail so that the scope housing was framed in the peep to my satisfaction. I then decided on using a 4x lens so I installed that. I then did a trial and error with the clarifier. I thought a #2 would be best, but in the end I decided on a #1.

As far as I understand it, a verifier is used when the pin is not clear, and a clarifier is used when the target is not clear. I did try a 6x lens, but the pin was not clear and I did not have a supply of verifiers on hand so I abandoned it. When I put the 4x lens in the target was a little fuzzy, so like I said I just trial and errored with the clarifiers I had on hand.

You may be able to get away without either with a 2x lense. When I put one in I could see both the pin and target clearly, but I was looking for a little more magnification for my 3 spot bow.

I hope this helps out a little and gives you a place to start? Sounds a little hit and miss, but I don't think there really is a prescribed method of doing this. People with more experience feel free to jump in. This is my first "dabble" with optics, so I have a lot to learn as well!

Norm

Thanks Norm, will try that after the seasons over.
Congratulations on a fine moose.