Story by Tom Claycomb III

There are so many items we use hunting it is unbelievable. For every scenario the gear that works or doesn’t can change on a dime. For instance, what optics used in East Texas is totally different from those used in West Texas.

It also changes according to the hunting method employed. If hunting in a blind as opposed to still hunting, different camo and cover scent is used.

Let’s focus on two categories — optics and cutlery. Since a lot of Texans hunt in Colorado and other parts of the mountain west so I’m going suggest optics and knives that work from East Texas all the way to the High Country.

Hunting the tight cover of East Texas a 3-9×40 scope is fine. I realize there are some wide-open pastures in parts of East Texas so if there’s a different terrain make appropriate adjustments.

One time I bear hunted the post oak forest west of Walsenburg near La Veta, Colorado. A .30-30 without a scope worked fine. Half of the hunt I didn’t have a shot over 20 feet. But that’s not the norm for Colorado.

If you plan on having opportunities for really close shots you’ll want an AO (Adjustable Objective) scope so you can focus when game is super close. You’ll want the 3-power so you can pick up the animal super-fast if it’s close. If he is that close he’ll likely detect any movement when you put the crosshairs on him and you’ll need to get fast target acquisition to make a quick shot.

I like duplex crosshairs. I don’t mind a few tic marks, but I don’t want a scope that is cluttered. I’m sure a cluttered scope works fine for long range shooters on a bench but for hunting, I keep it clean.

Speaking of using a lower power scope like a 3-9, what if you’ve got a sounder of hogs close? You’ll want to be able to get fast target acquisition after the first shot before they scatter. A 6-18 will make it tougher.

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