If you’ve been a hunter for quite some time now, you must have noticed and realized that deer are one of the smartest animals that you will encounter. With that said, it is very hard to catch and hunt them down in the forests, especially wide areas where they can freely and swiftly move.
They are also very aware of their surroundings that even your slightest and most quiet movements will still cause them to panic and run with surprisingly extraordinary speed. With all that considered, you must be a smart hunter, even smarter than them, for you to get a catch.
Best Scopes for Deer Hunting
- Best Overall - Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescope
- Best Hunting Scope - Athlon Optics Talos Riflescope
- Best Performance - Vortex Optics Diamondback SFP Riflescope
- Best Versatile Scope - Vortex Optics Viper HS Riflescopes
- Best Accurate Scope - Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT Riflescopes
- Ideal for Hunting - Simmons Truplex Riflescope
- Budget-friendly Scope - Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
- Best for Money - Trijicon TR22 AccuPoint Riflescope
- Best Quality Scope - Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
- Suitable for Varmint Hunting - Nightforce Optics SHV Riflescope
As a hunter, you also have to make sure that the rifle or firearm you are using is equipped with the best scopes for deer hunting to target and shoot successfully.
But purchasing a scope for deer hunting may be very hard to do since many scopes claim to be the best fit for deer hunting.
If you are worried about making the wrong decision, you have to stop thinking about it now because, here in this article, you will be introduced to the best scopes for deer hunting. We will be listed, described, and featured for you to distinguish your best pick truly.
Table: 10 Best Scopes for Deer Hunting
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10 Best Deer Hunting Scopes in 2021 - Reviewed
1. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Riflescope
Vortex Optics is one of the best riflescopes for whitetail deer hunting that you must consider. This scope takes pride in its functionality, simplicity, and high quality.
It does not involve complicated features that will just stress you out when you configure them. Most of the hunters prefer this scope for hunting since it is the favorite scope.
In fact, it is a top-rated scope on the website of Amazon. Also, this scope is priced reasonably for the features that it has to provide.
Vortex Optics
Crossfire II Riflescope
- 2-7x magnification
- 32 objective lens diameter
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
- Long eye relief
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Fully Multi Coated Lenses
The lenses of this scope are fully multi-coated to provide bright and clear sight pictures in quality. These lenses are also enhanced with anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare that might take place. In addition, these lenses will be the ones responsible for providing the optimal transmission of light.
Long Eye Relief and Forgiving Eye Box
The long eye relief of this scope is paired with its forgiving eye box. With these two features working together, this scope will give you the ability to get a sight picture and acquire targets faster. It helps hunters since animals like deer are fast-moving animals that might be hard to catch and hunt down due to their speed.
Fast Focus Eyepiece
This scope’s fast focus eyepiece will allow for the easy focusing of the reticle of your scope. With that happening, you will have faster target acquisition as well, and you will save more time by hunting down more targets. This feature adds up to the mobility, and you will have the speed both in moving and shooting.
Also Read: Vortex Optics Crossfire II 2-7×32 Rimfire Riflescope Review
Pros
- Comfortable
- Wide field of view
- High-quality images
Cons
- Little blurry at high magnification
2. Athlon Optics Talos Riflescope
Hunting in the low-light condition is the most challenging task for the deer hunters, especially even at night or midnight until the sun rises.
With that being considered, you don’t have to worry anymore because this scope is designed for that. It can be easily used without you having to re-adjust your settings from time to time.
In addition, this scope will never give you a hard time when you are hunting whitetail deer in the densest forests. This scope has a total length of exactly 12 inches or 1 foot. On the other hand, it weighs 16.2 ounces.
Athlon Optics
Talos Riflescope
- 4-16x magnification
- 40mm objective lens
- 24.1-6.3' field of view
- Second Focal Plane
- Mil-Dot Reticle
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Fully Multi Coated Optics
When compared to normal lenses with a single coating, this type of coating is obviously better. With fully multi-coated optics, you will see brighter sight pictures. That is made possible because optics of this type tends to reduce the amount of reflected light and increased the light transmission at the maximum possible.
Water Proof and Fog Proof Construction
This scope is engineered to be nitrogen purged. With that construction, it is considered to be fog-proof and waterproof. The nitrogen purging will protect this scope from the harmful effects of being accidentally submerged in water and exposed to the harshest weather conditions. In addition, it also protects this scope from moisture to maintain both fog-proof and waterproof performance.
Pros
- User-friendly design
- Weather-proof
- Better vision
Cons
- Thin turrets
3. Vortex Optics Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope
This deer hunting scope is made to endure and last long. The objective lens is very large; 50 millimeters in diameter to be exact, an adequate amount of light will be allowed to pass through without having any problem. In addition, this objective lens size will provide you a sight picture that is comfortable to look at.
Vortex Optics
Diamondback Second Focal Plane Riflescope
- 4-12x magnification
- 40mm objective lens diameter
- 11.3 - 32.4 ft field of view
- 3.1 - 3.4-inches eye relief
- 150 hours of battery life
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Ruggedly Designed and Built
The main tube of this scope is made from a material called 6061-T6 aluminum. With the solid built that this scope has, it simply stands out and is proven to last long. By lasting longer, this scope can use for hunting for a good number of years. In addition, it has an anodized finish that is in the appearance of a matte finish. With that said, this scope is made more durable on the outside.
Fully Multi Coated Lenses
The lenses of this scope are designed to have multiple layers of coatings. With these layers, the quality of the view you will see on your scope can be ensured. In addition, the lighting condition in the shooting grounds does not seem to affect the quality of the sight pictures due to the built and design that it has.
Fast Focus Eyepiece
If you search for a scope that will help you hunt down deer in the forests, the fast-focus eyepiece of this scope will allow your scope’s reticle to focus quickly; thus, allowing you to acquire your targets faster than the other scopes. Undoubtedly, this scope is perfect for deer hunting activities.
Pros
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Crisp & clear images
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Lacks in quality control
4. Vortex Optics Viper HS Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
This scope will make your hunting activities easier than the others since it is one of the quality deer hunting scopes preferred by many hunters. It specifically takes pride from its magnification and impressively adequate objective lens.
This scope’s versatility is proven since it can be used for various purposes, whether for deer hunting in forests or other applications that involve shooting in grasslands. This is also a budget-friendly scope with useful features. In addition, it has an eye relief that measures 3.6 inches.
Vortex Optics
2.5-10 x 44 Riflescope
- 2.5-10x magnification
- 44mm objective lens diameter
- 3.6 inches of eye relief
- 4x zoom range
- Dead-Hold BDC reticle
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Magnification Option
With a magnification that ranges from 2.5x to 10x, this scope will give you the accuracy and the precision that you need from close-range to long-range shots. To be exact, this scope is indeed ideal from a distance that ranges from 50 to 500 yards. In addition, this specific scope will let you have the freedom of adjusting the drop off of the bullet for up to a distance that reaches 700 yards.
Fully Multi-Coated Optics
This scope optics transmit light of up 98% of the light available from the shooting grounds. With this ability, you will experience no problem shooting in any light condition. I addition, the sight pictures you are going to see through your scope will have a better quality due to the brightness brought by this feature.
Fog Proof and Water Proof Construction
This scope’s inside is filled with argon and the housing is o-ring sealed too. With these added features for this scope’s construction, you will be able to use this scope in almost any condition since it is fog-proof and waterproof. The armortek coating provides scratch-resistant features that protect the exterior lens of the scope.
Pros
- Excellent magnification range
- Best for long-range shots
- Durable lens
Cons
- Narrow field of view
5. Vortex Optics Razor HD LHT Second Focal Plane Riflescopes
One of the most accurate scopes that you may buy and specifically designed for deer hunting is this scope.
It has a 3.6-inch eye relief, and its objective lens is of adequate size for allowing the entrance of light to see brighter and sharper bright pictures; this scope’s objective lens diameter is 42 millimeters in dimension-this scope weighs 20.5 ounces. In addition, it has a total length of 17 inches.
Vortex Optics
3-15x42mm Riflescope
- 3-15x magnification
- 42mm objective lens diameter
- 3.6-inches eye relief
- MOA Reticle
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Fog Proof and Water Proof Construction
This scope is a very reliable one due to the built it has. For example, it suddenly rains, and you are currently doing your hunting activities, you may still rely on this scope because its housing has an O-ring sealing that makes it waterproof. Also, this scope is argon purged so that when sudden temperature changes due to elevations or other reasons, you will not experience fogging on the lenses of this scope.
Magnification Option
Whether you will be hunting animals like deer that are from mid to long-distance, you will undoubtedly have the accuracy you need to have shots that will not miss. Since this scope has an available magnification that starts from 3x and extends for up to 15x, this feature will be of extreme help for you to have the option for your deer-hunting needs.
Multi-Coated Lenses
When there is very little amount of light in the shooting grounds, you can still rely on this scope because it is built with multi-coated lenses. These multi-coated lenses function is to provide a clear view with just the right amount of light for your eyes to be relaxed while sighting your targets.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight design
- High accuracy
- High-quality optics
Cons
- Lack of image quality sometimes
6. Simmons Truplex Riflescope
This rifle scope is specifically designed for hunting and only weighs 0.63 pounds. With a weight like this, your mobility will be improved and allowed to move with speed as you hunt down fast moving targets.
This scope will provide you with the light that enters through its large objective lenses; 40 millimeters in diameter, to be exact.
This scope is also offered for a budget-friendly price; thus, making it truly a scope that you must consider for your deer-hunting needs.
Simmons
Truplex Riflescope
- 3-9x magnification
- 40mm objective lens diameter
- Fully-coated lens
- 3.75-inches eye relief
- 31.4 / 10.5 ft field of view
- Truplex reticle
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Quick Target Acquisition
When hunting deer in the forests, you will need all the speed that you can muster for you to hunt them down. With this scope, you will not experience any problem regarding that since you will have the ability to acquire targets faster with this scope’s design. With that, you will also be able to shoot and hunt your targets down in a short time.
Ruggedly Designed and Built
Made from a very durable material known as aircraft grade aluminum, this scope can withstand any rugged purpose that it might be used for. It also has an armor that is rubber coated for the scope to have more layers of protection for it whenever it gets bumped into something or dropped accidentally.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Ideal for hunting
- Low-price
Cons
- Eye relief is short for some shooters
7. Bushnell Banner Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
This scope is one of the affordable scope with hassle-free adjustments that will not prevent you from performing well in the shooting grounds.
With this scope, you may easily pull your rifle’s trigger for your targets to not escape. In addition, you will experience more successful shots with this scope.
Furthermore, this scope is a perfect scope that you must consider when you want to hunt all day long or at any time of the day. This scope has a 40-millimeter objective lens that will allow the entrance of light for better sight pictures.
Bushnell Banner
Dusk & Dawn Riflescope
- 3-9x magnification
- 40mm objective lens diameter
- Multi-X reticle
- 3.3-inches eye relief
- Fast focus eyepiece
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
DDB Multi Coated Lenses
This scope is designed to be reliable for all times. It can be used based on its name when the sun starts to set until it rises again, meaning to say, the darkest times of the day. These lenses will undoubtedly provide the best quality of sight pictures anytime.
Fast Focus Eyepiece
It will also give you the speed that you will need for hunting down fast-moving animals like the deer. With this feature, you will acquire targets as fast as possible.
Water Proof and Fog Proof Construction
This scope will also provide you with a performance that is waterproof and fog-proof. With its nitrogen filling, you get a guarantee of using a scope that is 100% resistant to fog and water.
Pros
- Versatile
- Excellent performance
- Suitable for all conditions
Cons
- Short eye relief
8. Trijicon TR22 AccuPoint Riflescope
When you are looking for a scope for deer hunting that has the best light-gathering capabilities, this scope is the one that you should get.
That is evident because this scope has a very large objective lens with a diameter of 56 millimeters. This scope has a solid black matte finish that makes it very gorgeous. Overall, this scope has features that are very impressive and useful.
Trijicon TR22
AccuPoint Riflescope
- 2.5-10x magnification
- 56mm objective lens diameter
- 7.18 - 1.94 degrees field of view
- Second focal plane
- 30mm diameter tube
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Battery Free Illumination
The fiber optic technology that this scope is built with has an automatic adjustment for the level of brightness and reticle contrast to match it with the available lighting condition in the shooting grounds. In addition, this feature has an added property of having a tritium phosphor lamp that will illuminate this scope’s reticle even in conditions where there is little to no light.
Ruggedly Designed and Built
The aircraft grade aluminum is used for this scope’s housing is an all-weather material. Meaning to say, this scope will survive even when used during different weather conditions in the shooting grounds. Also, this construction protects this scope from tough elements that it might get in contact with.
Multi Coated Lenses
If you are fond of hunting at night and during conditions with a low amount of light, this scope will be your best companion. It will gather the available light from the environment to view sight pictures of just the right quality. Enhanced with properties that reduce distortion, this feature is a very useful one.
Pros
- Affordable
- Rugged construction
- Low-light visibility
Cons
- Big Objective lens
9. Simmons 8-Point 3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
This scope has an eye relief that is more than adequate for safety purposes, 16.6 to 5.6 mm in length, to be exact.
In addition, scopes for Simmon’s brand are very reliable in all weather and temperature conditions that you are going to encounter on the shooting grounds.
In fact, this scope can be used from a temperature that ranges from -40 degrees Fahrenheit to a temperature that reaches 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Simmons
3-9x50mm Rifle Scope
- 3-9x magnification
- 50mm objective lens diameter
- 16.6-5.6 mm eye relief
- 10.4-31.4 ft field of view
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Water Proof Construction
The gas blend that seals this scope is very reliable. In fact, this scope will endure being submerged in water even up to a depth of 33 feet. Even when a multitude of changes in pressure happens, this scope will surely be able to survive.
Multi-Coated Lens
The special feature of this scope from Simmons gives 10 extra minutes of shooting light when the battery runs out of power unexpectedly. It is a very useful scope when shooting during dark conditions since you will never know what happens next. So, it is better to have a back-up.
Recoil Proof Construction
Scopes from Simmons are all designed to endure recoils by being tested from a machine that simulates recoil. With this scope, you will be assured that your scope will endure being equipped and mounted on a firearm that is known for its powerful recoils. Thus, the durability and reliability of this scope is proven and tested.
Pros
- Reliable
- Great in low-light conditions
- Weather-resistance
Cons
- Little hard to adjust
10. Nightforce Optics SHV Riflescope
This very versatile scope is the one that you should check out if you are a hunter of different animals, such as varmints and deer.
This scope provides a large 56-millimeter objective lens that will surely give you the brightest and sharpest sight pictures that you have wanted to see from your scopes. This scope is made with the second focal plane and also capped turrets.
Nightforce
Optics SHV Riflescope
- 4-14x magnification
- 56mm ojective lens diameter
- Second Focal Plane
- 30mm tube size
This scope for deer hunting is best known for its
Magnification Option
The magnification of this scope can be used for a wide variety of options. From shooting at mid-range and up to long-range targets, you will surely find this scope very reliable. In addition, the magnification option that it has will help you have more accurate shots at distances that you never know you can reach.
Illuminated Reticle
The illuminated reticle of this scope will surely be of extreme help if you are one of those hunters who like to hunt at night or wee hours of the day. With a reticle like this one, you will be sure that your hunting trips will be successful even if you do them at conditions with very little light. In addition, you may choose or opt to use a non-illuminated reticle if you want to. You can choose that from the options that this scope gives.
Parallax Knobs
The parallax knobs of this scope are very easy to use, even for beginners or first-time shooters. Truly, this scope brings ease and convenience; thus, it will surely give you an incomparable and wonderful experience during your deer-hunting trips.
Read Also: NightForce SHV Riflescope Review
Pros
- Highly durable
- Illuminated reticle
- Easy to handle
Cons
- Pricy
Types of Scopes Ideal For Hunting Deer
Basically, the scope that is ideal for you will perform based on the style of your hunting and the environment where you hunt.
If you plan to hunt in the expanded open prairies, you can choose the magnification range as much as you want. The best time for hunting is dusk and dawn with a scope that has a larger objective lens.
It makes your hunting easy in dark conditions, especially in thick brush. An illuminated reticle is very useful in any environmental conditions such as low contrast, low-light conditions, etc.
A scope with ideal features allows you to make the most decent shots in the vital of deer. Moreover, it helps you to save the time that you spend to follow the blood trail.
How to Choose the New Scope
The scope is the essential equipment for your rifle to make worthy hunting. Investing in scope is also very important like you did for the rifle because it improves your performance on the field.
Therefore, it is wise to spending on the best scope that will never make you lost. Look for a top-notch brand that has standard quality. The German companies are the best manufacturers for high-quality scopes.
Mostly, go for the scopes which have durable construction and excellent features. The high-quality scopes are built with a single piece durable aluminum tube.
These are sealed with O-ring and purged with gas to prevent dust, moisture, etc. Most of the hunting scopes have turrets to adjust windage and elevation.
It also contains locking and return to zero features for the great performance. Choosing the reticle depends on your preferences. Get an excellent performance by choosing the standard scope according to your needs.
Deer Hunting Tips
If you’re a beginner in deer hunting, we’ve listed some useful tips for you. This will help you to make a successful hunting.
- Before going to hunt, shower with a fragrance-free soap to escape from deer since the deer has the capability to sniff the smell of humans.
- You should learn to read the signs of the deer using trail cameras.
Avoid the lands that are unfamiliar to you. - Scout at a distance to know that where and how the deer enters into the field.
- Organize the essential things properly while preparing for a hunting.
Hanging deer is one of the important activity after deer hunting. If you’re a novice hunter, we’ve provided an article about the importance of hanging deer.
Factors to be Considered When Buying a Deer Hunting Scope
Purchasing the best scope for deer hunting may be very confusing and daunting. That’s why we recommend that you read this guide, which will discuss the specific and important features that you are going to need for your deer hunting trips. Without any further time wasted, here are the factors that you must consider when buying the best scopes for deer hunting:
Ease of Access
When deer hunting, you will need a very easy scope to access, use, and configure. Almost every important step that you will need must require you a very little amount of time—maybe just a couple of seconds.
Since it was mentioned above that deer are fast-moving animals; you must be at ease when you are hunting or else, you will always lose your targets. With that said, you have to consider buying a scope that is very convenient and easy to use for better results.
Durability
The durability of your scope is also of the utmost importance. When you are waiting for your targets in the forests, you will never know what kind of weather or ambient conditions you might face.
The only thing that you must do is prepare by having a durable scope to withstand almost anything thrown at it, whether rugged use, exposure to harmful elements, or encountering harsh weather conditions.
Objective Lens
When buying a scope for deer hunting, it is always best to get a scope that has a large objective lens. The larger the objective lenses allow more light in the scope and eventually provide more bright and sharp sight pictures.
With an objective lens that is large in diameter, you will experience problem-free hunting even when you do it at night and during conditions with very little light.
Price and Warranty
The price and warranty of the scope you are buying are what depict if the scope you pick is a good buy. If the price is reasonable for all the features it offers, it must be a good buy.
On the other hand, the warranty is your assurance that you are going to get your scope fixed when defects show up. That’s why it is best to get a scope that provides a warranty that you can make use of once your scope becomes defective.
Nowadays, some scopes are sold at a very low cost. If you are into buying some worth it scopes, you must find the ones that are reliable and durable despite the low cost that it is sold for.
Magnification Option
Like the scopes mentioned above, you need a scope that is best used for long-range shots since deer are very naturally aware animals. Once they feel that something is moving near them, they will run with a speed that you will never keep up with.
That’s why deer hunters tend to hunt from a very long range. With all that considered, the magnification option of your scope must not be less than 9x. If possible, get a scope that has a magnification option that reaches that range.
Eye Relief
The eye relief of your scope must not be less than 3.5 inches. That distance is to make sure that your eyes are protected from the powerful recoils from a firearm’s bullets.
The scope should be given an eye relief that is generous for you to ensure your eyes’ safety while hunting deer.
Multi Coated Lenses
As much as possible, you must get a scope that has multi-coatings for its lenses. For the scope to have sight pictures that are bright and crisp, this must be taken into consideration since it is a very important factor.
Do not get scopes that are just single coated since they will not provide you with the maximum light transmission you will need when you go hunting at night or the wee hours of a day.
Reticle
With an illuminated reticle, you will be allowed to do more, especially at night. That’s why it is recommended that you buy a scope with an illuminated reticle for your deer-hunting needs.
Final Words
Deer hunting can be very hard to do; that’s why it is important that you read all the things mentioned above to be guided on the best scopes for deer hunting. All the scopes have proven their usefulness in many ways; hunters and shooters have witnessed that.
Deer hunting can be very demanding; that’s why we decided to write this for you to have a guide. We hope that this article has somehow helped you decide on the best scope you will buy for your deer hunting trips.