Scope cover mistake

[Roguehunter]

I once went to shoot after getting into position and realized my lens cap was still closed. I had already settled in, adjusted everything and pressed off a shot that obviously went nowhere. A couple of people saw it and that was enough. I now run a simple checklist before I shoot so I do not repeat it.

 

[xchecker]

Not sure I understand. How do you look through a scope, not realize you can't see any target, and blindly squeeze off a round anyway?

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

One time hunting back east, I just got to my spot. A buck snorted at me from 25yds away.
Raised the gun and the scope is full of snow. I peaked around the gun, lined up the front fixed sight at the base of the neck. I hit to the side of the neck and probably got the carotid.
That scope had a knockdown mount, but I didn’t feel I had time to use it.

 

[xchecker]

One time hunting back east, I just got to my spot. A buck snorted at me from 25yds away.
Raised the gun and the scope is full of snow. I peaked around the gun, lined up the front fixed sight at the base of the neck. I hit to the side of the neck and probably got the carotid.
That scope had a knockdown mount, but I didn’t feel I had time to use it.

That scenario I understand. But you also visually used the front sight. OP, seemed to violate the basic safety rule of "know your target...." While it appears from his post he was at a controlled range, that kind of error can have disastrous consequences elsewhere. I guess maybe Im being a bit harsh, but that should have already been on the checklist.

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

Never been much of a range guy. I deal with real world and was trying to cut him some slack.
Yes I have a checklist. That buck was bedded in some dead falls and I didn’t have a chance to check the scope yet. But it taught me Plan A, plan B, plan C.

I took heat from my friends for that shot. But it was the nicest buck anyone got that year.

 

[alan]

Never been much of a range guy. I deal with real world and was trying to cut him some slack.
Yes I have a checklist. That buck was bedded in some dead falls and I didn’t have a chance to check the scope yet. But it taught me Plan A, plan B, plan C.

I took heat from my friends for that shot. But it was the nicest buck anyone got that year.

People can talk but a nice buck usually shuts most of that noise down pretty quick

 

[Eastenerwesterner]

Yeah a 200 lb 8 pt, sorry a 4x4 for this crowd.
I don’t think I have ever seen a 125 lb CA blacktail buck
Even Whitetails are too smart to be in California

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

Yeah a 200 lb 8 pt, sorry a 4x4 for this crowd.
I don’t think I have ever seen a 125 lb CA blacktail buck
Even Whitetails are too smart to be in California

Whoa there bud...watch your tongue...our blacktail are sized in proportion to the politician penis'.