I am with ECU on this one... the higher quality glass ALLOWS you to make a more informed decision as it relates to whether or not to shoot at an animal.

With a clearer image, particularly in low light situations, it also allows you a HIGHER PROBABILITY of making a good shot - which increases the deer you take and reduces deer suffering from poorly placed shots.

Add the fact that you get some amount of satisfaction in just knowing you have superior glass and it seems to be a win / win situation. I will admit some amount of pride when someone looks at one of my rifles and says something like "nice glass"...

I have long felt that the scope should cost as much as the rifle, or more... I say put the money in the glass... as long as the rifle is capable of shooting well enough to be a keeper (which for me, is being able to shoot a 1" group at 100 yards, or very close to that).

If the rifle can not do that, it is not worth hunting with and therefore not worth any glass!

One argument is made - that this high end glass could create a scenario where someone would be more likely to make a near dark shot and shoot something other than their intended quarry (like another hunter, perhaps).

I argue the opposite... the glass allows to more clearly identify what you are about to shoot at - at least in my opinion.

I think that hunters that are predisposed to take shots that are dangerous are going to do so regardless of the equipment they have.

My .02 worth!

Jim

Man, we are on a roll... and are up to a dime or .12 now!

I expect a run on high end glass in the next day or so - or at least some requests will land on some hunters "Christmas Wish List"!

In all seriousness, it is worth the investment... I do not think that high end glass costs... I think it pays.

If you consider in total all we spend on hunting annually and then figure in the cost of good glass vs even cheap glass, the percentage of total spent is very low - and you have definitely done something (with good glass) to increase your likelihood of a harvest.

I have taken many deer that the glass was the primary reason I was able to do so.

Just one more facet, in an overall personal strategy, to consider... and to use as a means to become a more successful hunter.

Jim

You guys have definitely exposed the reasons for getting high quality glass. I look at all of my hunting purchases as investments rather than one time purchases. If you spread the cost of the gear that you own over the years that it lasts and that you use it, than it becomes clear that it is worth putting high quality optics on your rifles. Am I a hypocrite because I do not even own one leopold yet... I don't think so entirely I guess. I am on a college student budget and I have bought the highest quality optics that I could at the time for every single one of my rifles except for my .223 which came with a budget price scope that I will be replacing here shortly. God willing, when I land a career job, you can bet that all my rifles will be visiting the barber shop and getting some new head gear. I can not wait to purchase my first leopold. Or what the heck... my first Zeiss!

Definitely not a hypocrite.  You have purchased the best equipment that you can.  Not directed at you, just a general observation.  Not everyone can afford a Leuopold or Zeiss scope or a semi-custom or custom rifle.  They may have a low end Remington and a Tasco scope, but that doesn't define them as a hunter.  I've seen people with "cheap" stuff out shoot and out hunt those with expensive equipment.  And the fact is I'd rather hunt with them too.

So, buy the best that you can afford and don't look back.

I couldn't tell you the number of times that I have gone out with somebody that has just bought a new rifle and scope package from a store and wants me to help them sight the rifle in because they are having problems with it.  And 90% of the time it is the brand new Tasco, Simmons, or another brand of low cost scope that is causing the problem.  I have even seen the cross hairs in a few Tasco scopes swinging back and forth after a couple of shots out of a 7mm Remington magnum. 

So in my book if you have to save for a couple of years to buy a quality rifle why not save a couple months more and get a quality scope to put on that rifle.