The Vortex Optics Buyer’s Guide to Hunting Season
Friends don’t let friends settle for an empty freezer.
By Devin Pangaro – July 29, 2024
All across the country, hunters are pulling their camo out of the closet, getting their tags and licenses in order, and checking off their lists in preparation for a return to the blind. While we here at GOVX pride ourselves on providing exclusive discounts on backcountry leaders like KUIU, Badlands, and Drake Waterfowl, there remains one brand that remains a lock for a nation of loyal followers –- Vortex Optics.
With hunting season approaching faster than an apex predator, here’s a look at what you’ll need for your next elk, deer, or...wild turkey trip. As a bonus, the fine folks at Vortex are stepping up during the month of August to match GOVX Gives Back donations on behalf of The Honor Foundation and their mission to provide mentorship, networking, and professional development to our nation's Special Forces. So, you can preemptively feel extra good about getting geared up.
HERE'S WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
LET'S KICK THIS THING OFF
BEST FOR SCOUTING -
It's always smart to start at the top. An overlooked, yet essential part of any outdoor loadout or overlanding adventure, a slick pair of binos should be capable of more than just surveying the land.
With the Diamondback series from Vortex, you can rest assured that the rugged, waterproof, fogproof, shockproof optic will provide a crystal-clear viewing experience from exceptionally long distances. Built to focus fast from any depth, these binos hold it down for everything from glassing to birdwatching.
BEST FOR LONG RANGE HUNTING - VIPER PST GEN II 5-25x50 RIFLESCOPE
For hunters who are all about big game and well, bigger game, acquiring a scope you can trust is always pretty high-up there on the priority list.
The easily-adjustable PST helps you operate with insane precision and increased efficiency, even from hundreds of yards away. A favorite of elk hunters for good reason, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better optic at this price.
BEST FOR LOW LIGHT HUNTING -
RAZOR HD 27-60x85 SPOTTING SCOPE
Question. What’s the most important piece of your hunting kit outside of your trusty rifle? Answer – your spotting scope.
When the magic hour hits, you’re going to need one of these suckers to hunt down hogs, red deer, and other nocturnal prey under less than ideal light conditions.
Creating an astoundingly crisp and clear shot, Vortex hunters use the Razor to spot their targets and get sighted in when the sun starts to sink.
BEST FOR COLD WEATHER HUNTING - CROSSFIRE II 6-24x50 RIFLESCOPE
Seeing as how this blog is going live in the sweltering summer month of August, this category may feel a little weird. However, in some corners of the country, inclement weather isn’t too far off the horizon.
As the mercury drops, make sure you have the Crossfire II at your disposal for all your late-fall and winter expeditions. Built to seal out moisture before it can wreak havoc on the hunt, the riflescope also is nitrogen purged, meaning that internal fogging will never be an issue again. As a bonus it holds zero like a champ and arrives with the patented lifetime Vortex warranty.
BEST FOR NOVICE HUNTERS -
STRIKE EAGLE 5-25x56 RIFLESCOPE
Hey, we’ve all got to start somewhere. For those just stepping into the wide world of hunting, the Strike Eagle serves as a solid, easy-to-use reticle that can handle the rigors of the pursuit.
Best of all, this scope is proficient at providing fast reads at nearly any magnification, so you won’t have to worry about your target dipping out before you can get zeroed in. With advanced eye relief and insanely clear glass, beginners and seasoned hunters have every advantage they could possibly need.
BEST FOR RAPID TARGET ACQUISITION - VIPER HD 3000 LASER RANGEFINDER
There’s fast, and there’s really freaking fast. Go ahead and add the Viper comfortably to the second category. Speed is very much integral, especially when you’re pursuing some of the faster inhabitants of the backcountry like the antelope.
This rangefinder affords the hunter the opportunity to act quickly and obtain the critical distance data necessary to land an accurate hit. With four target modes, the Viper is effective for both bow hunters and traditional rifle toters.
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