Where isn't an ill. ret. legal?
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1984nitro
Well-Known Member
Last time I checked Idaho allows the illuminated reticle for hunting.
SBruce
Well-Known Member
I've only heard of spotlights or gun mounted lights being illegal for game. Rightly so, because in my experience; lighted reticles only help with extremely fine reticles in the last few minutes of legal shooting time or after it's already dark.
Realistically, if you can see the animal well enough to shoot, you could shoot with a normal standard duplex real easy. Legal shooting light is 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset in Wyoming.
In WY, spotlights are only legal for varmints/predators and only on private land with the written permission (specifically for spotlighting) from the landowner.
What States are you hearing don't allow lighted reticles??
Realistically, if you can see the animal well enough to shoot, you could shoot with a normal standard duplex real easy. Legal shooting light is 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hour past sunset in Wyoming.
In WY, spotlights are only legal for varmints/predators and only on private land with the written permission (specifically for spotlighting) from the landowner.
What States are you hearing don't allow lighted reticles??
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Kevin Thomas
Well-Known Member
This sounds like a case of a game official not understanding the law, and extending it to something that wasn't supposed to be covered under the statute.
Some years back (I was still a CA police officer at the time), there was a guy who'd mounted some sort of Bigfoot expedition, and intended to hunt and kill one to settle the question once and for all. Naturally, the tree huggers got all bent out of shape about the possibility of his hunting/killing a species there's no proof even exists. They got the CA Fish and Game involved, and the guy wound up being arrested for hunting with an "infrared sniperscope", which was illegal in CA. That's how the law was written, citing infrared scopes, specifically, by name. Problem was, the guy was using a passive ANPVS night vision scope, which is the modern technology that long since has replaced the old infrared scopes. In otherwords, they arrested and charged him for something the statute didn't prohibit, and wasn't illegal.
Worth checking a bit further, but I have some doubts that illuminated reticles are truly illegal. Could be wrong, but worth checking further.
Some years back (I was still a CA police officer at the time), there was a guy who'd mounted some sort of Bigfoot expedition, and intended to hunt and kill one to settle the question once and for all. Naturally, the tree huggers got all bent out of shape about the possibility of his hunting/killing a species there's no proof even exists. They got the CA Fish and Game involved, and the guy wound up being arrested for hunting with an "infrared sniperscope", which was illegal in CA. That's how the law was written, citing infrared scopes, specifically, by name. Problem was, the guy was using a passive ANPVS night vision scope, which is the modern technology that long since has replaced the old infrared scopes. In otherwords, they arrested and charged him for something the statute didn't prohibit, and wasn't illegal.
Worth checking a bit further, but I have some doubts that illuminated reticles are truly illegal. Could be wrong, but worth checking further.
ICANHITHIMMAN
Well-Known Member
Im sure some one else will chime in but I think there are some states where the use of a lit rectical is not allowed.
Horus Hawk rifle scope it built around the idea that some states do not allow the use of lit rectucuals
padd54
Well-Known Member
Oregon used to outlaw the lighted reticles, but have since changed it to projecting devices like lasers and lights.
D.Camilleri
Well-Known Member
Illuminated reticles are ILLEGAL IN WYOMING according to Wyoming Game and Fish
SBruce
Well-Known Member
Where did you see this at?? Can you show me the Statute or somewhere in the regulations that it specifically states illuminated reticles are prohibited or illegal.??
I am looking at the 2010 deer hunting regulations. Artificial Light is defined as:
"Any manmade light or lighting device which projects a light visible to the unaided eye outside of the device, or any battery powered device that provides an enhanced ability to see in the dark".
http://gf.state.wy.us/admin/regulations/pdf/Ch2_04262010.pdf
1st page, paragraph (d)
A lighted reticle doesn't help you see in the dark, it's not night vision.
Night Vision and spotlights are what the statute was designed around. A lighted reticle gives no unfair advantage because it's only necessary with a super fine reticle and only during the last couple minutes of legal shooting light if you have such a fine reticle. Any decent scope with a "normal" reticle allows us to shoot right up to legal light most of the time (unless it's really cloudy).
When there is already a legal time limit (for game animals anyway) why would they impose additional limits??
I am only guessing here, but I think it's probably like Kevin said. Some game warden decided to construe the law into something it isn't. Probably for the purpose of nabbing someone that was possibly shooting after legal hours to begin with, or someone that was spotlighting or night hunting without written permission.
Besides, I think they would be stupid to try and enforce such a rediculous thing. Just because you've got one doesn't mean you're using it. They have no idea if it's being used or not. I've got one on my coyote rifle and it never ever gets used. For all I know, the battery has been dead for years!
They can tell if it emits or projects a light, they can tell if it is night vision. They can't tell if you're using an illuminated reticle when you make the shot. We'd have to be doing something illegal to begin with for them to even question that I would think.
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CombatDiver
Member
If we are to discuss this I think the wording being questioned should be shared. The way I have seen it worded is sights that project (ie laser) are prohibited for hunting. Granted I don't go and read other states proclamations, but have lived and hunted in nearly a dozen states and don't ever remember seeing illiminated reticles being prohibited. gun)
I think I read on one of the other forums on this site, perhaps the deer or elk hunting forum, where someone mentioned that their guide told them to not use his ill. ret. scope because it was illegal. That and the fact that when I've been shopping for scopes I noticed that so many of the higher end scopes seem to mostly come in ill. versions that got me thinking about this question again. Perhaps someone who works for a F&G department can provide some clarification.
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SBruce
Well-Known Member
One of the first times I ever saw an illuminated reticle was on a Wyoming game wardens' coyote hunting rifle. We were hunting on public land in a contest. I asked him about it being legal, and he said yes, perfectly legal.....which leads me to the conclusion that he didn't consider it "artificial light"............That was probably 12+ years ago, for whatever it's worth.
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rscott5028
Well-Known Member
It would be nice if you could get a straight answer for each state.
In the end, it doesn't really matter how we as hunters choose to interpret the law. If a game warden hauls you in, then you'll pay the fine, or get an attorney to plead your case in front of a judge.
Heck, the legislators probably didn't know what they were talking about when they wrote the statute.
If you have any doubts about the law in your area, it's probably just as well to call your local game warden. They're usually pretty good guys with a tough job to do.
It used to be and may still be illegal in Texas to hunt at night where deer are known to roam. ...which is pretty much everywhere. But, if you contact the game warden and let him know you plan to spot light on this date/location for coyotes or hogs, he'll probably wish you luck and tell you to be safe.
On the other hand, if he's sure you've been up to no good, then he may haul you in on any charge he thinks he can stick you with.
In the end, it doesn't really matter how we as hunters choose to interpret the law. If a game warden hauls you in, then you'll pay the fine, or get an attorney to plead your case in front of a judge.
Heck, the legislators probably didn't know what they were talking about when they wrote the statute.
If you have any doubts about the law in your area, it's probably just as well to call your local game warden. They're usually pretty good guys with a tough job to do.
It used to be and may still be illegal in Texas to hunt at night where deer are known to roam. ...which is pretty much everywhere. But, if you contact the game warden and let him know you plan to spot light on this date/location for coyotes or hogs, he'll probably wish you luck and tell you to be safe.
On the other hand, if he's sure you've been up to no good, then he may haul you in on any charge he thinks he can stick you with.
CombatDiver
Member
Legislators don't write hunting proclamations, department of natural resources and departments of wildlife do. They know what they are writing (not that the enforcers always know). We're not talking about the politically swayed BATFE who charges some one for putting a scope on a gun without being a FFL, we're talking of an intricate relationship between hunters and the DNR/DWR. Of all the states I have hunted in the regulations have been broad and vague but written technically and easily defensible in a court of law. All that I have read state projected sights, not illuminated sights. If illuminated sights are restricted then so are fiber optic sights which do the same thing as illuminated sights.
rscott5028
Well-Known Member
I suppose I'm a bit atopical now. But, you are likely more correct than I. It sounds like you're a knowledgeable attorney capable of defending yourself in front of a judge. But, I think regulations in Texas come from TPWD and statutes come from the legislature. Nonetheless, I suppose we're really bantering about the regulations. In the end, I'll just ask my game warden and stay on his good side to help maintain that intricate relationship in good working order. They need landowners on their side and we need them.
Thanks for correcting me.
...incidentally, my interpretation of projecting light is the same as yours. I don't think Ill reticles should be a problem.
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