Greetings AR Members,

I did a quick search and found nothing so will ask here as well as the Optics category: Do any states outlaw scopes that have illuminated reticles? I am not referring to laser or any scope/sighting device that casts a light physically on the target. I am referring to scopes such as the Swarovski Z6i line or others related that have an internally illuminated reticle.

Searching most of the major western big game state game commission laws online found nothing and it is certainly tedious. I thought I'd ask here as the members are very knowledgeable.

Any information would be appreciated in advance. Thanks

Paul

Wyoming, unless they recently changed it.

no go in washington. no electronics on any weapon (rifle, bow, pistol... so no lasergrips)

Alaska has a no electronic sight law.

Here is what TP&W lists: Artificial light of any form that casts or reflects a beam of light onto or otherwise illuminates a game animal or bird may not be used as an aid to hunt, except battery-powered scoping devices that project a light or dot only inside the scope; pin sight lights on archery equipment; or laser sighting devices used by legally blind hunters, or hunters who have a documented permanent physical disability that prevents them from using traditional firearm sighting devices.

Not in Idaho

Notice Leupold has a little "All States Legal" logo next to their VX-R scopes in some advertisements. Prior to purchasing one, contacted fish & game in Anchorage,asked them if there were any laws prohibiting, specifically, illuminated reticle scopes for hunting. The answer I was given was that illuminated reticle scopes are perfectly legal in Alaska. Anything projecting a beam onto an animal( laser sights, and similar) were illegal and their use for sport hunting would result in prosecution.
That was about a year ago, laws here may have changed. I don,t recall ever having been sent an e-mail by any of the agencies that enforce such changes that things have changed. Caveat emptor?
I will add that I do like the illumintated reticle on the 2-7x33 VX-R that I bought, will buy more.

quote:

Originally posted by Muttly:
Notice Leupold has a little "All States Legal" logo next to their VZ-R scopes in some advertisements. Prior to purchasing one, contacted fish & game in Anchorage,asked them if there were any laws prohibiting, specifically, illuminated reticle scopes for hunting. The answer I was given was that illuminated reticle scopes are perfectly legal in Alaska. Anything projecting a beam onto an animal( laser sights, and similar) were illegal and their use for sport hunting would result in prosecution.
That was about a year ago, laws here may have changed. I don,t recall ever having been sent an e-mail by any of the agencies that enforce such changes that things have changed. Caveat emptor?
I will add that I do like the illumintated reticle on the 2-7x33 VX-R that I bought, will buy more.

I think it changed to allow it. I hadn't looked up that specific regulation in a long time. Running off at the mouth again.

What about the Trijicon scopes? They don't have any electronics. All they use is the residual light and concentrate it on the crosshair. Would those be legal in the states that outlaw electronics?

quote:

Originally posted by Pirate's Life:
What about the Trijicon scopes? They don't have any electronics. All they use is the residual light and concentrate it on the crosshair.

No, the Trijicon scopes don't use "residual light" to light the reticle.

ACOG and Accupoint use tritium phosphor lamps and the TARS uses LED.

Respectfully, Rajan

Splitting hairs there "Rajan".

Trijicon's used for most hunting applications are powered by natural light sources which are concentrated in the phosphorus lamps. My note of residual light is still valid because that is the way the lamps works. Light from an external source, in this case the sun is filtered through light tubes to the recticle. There are no electronics or batteries.

So, in states which ban electronics, the Trijicon should still be legal.

Legal in Wi.You can also use light beams at night for varmints.

quote:

Originally posted by rdharma:

quote:

Originally posted by Pirate's Life:
What about the Trijicon scopes? They don't have any electronics. All they use is the residual light and concentrate it on the crosshair.

No, the Trijicon scopes don't use "residual light" to light the reticle.

ACOG and Accupoint use tritium phosphor lamps and the TARS uses LED.

Respectfully, Rajan

Primary illumination is fibre optic residual light. Back up illumination is from Tritium and only comes into play in near total darkness. No electronics are used. These statements are applicable to the Accupoint line of scopes as some of the RMR models are battery powered.

quote:

Originally posted by Pirate's Life:

Trijicon's used for most hunting applications are powered by natural light sources which are concentrated in the phosphorus lamps. My note of residual light is still valid because that is the way the lamps works. Light from an external source, in this case the sun is filtered through light tubes to the recticle.

Wrong again. Take a tritium phosphor scope into a completely dark room with absolutely no light (no residual light). Look at the reticle.

Tritium phosphor light is creacted by radioluminescence....... not by "residual light".

Just what axe is it you're trying to grind. Or are you just bringing an obtuse attitude to the discussion? You're still splitting hairs.

Read the Trijicon website. It specifically states the natural sunlight is focused through light tubes to the lamp. So, the light used for the sighting is from natural light and not through electronics. Which is why I make the point that these would be legal in places than ban the use of electronics.

And, there are very, very few totally dark places. Most have some sort of residual light. The tubes are designed to focus whatever light there is no matter how faint it is. And the phosporus lamps will store some light for a period of time. King of like the old radium watches. As long as it has been exposed to light recently it will still show dim light in the dark. Didn't you ever take a science class in school and play with that sort of thing?

quote:

Originally posted by Pirate's Life:
Just what axe is it you're trying to grind. Or are you just bringing an obtuse attitude to the discussion? You're still splitting hairs.

Read the Trijicon website. It specifically states the natural sunlight is focused through light tubes to the lamp. So, the light used for the sighting is from natural light and not through electronics. Which is why I make the point that these would be legal in places than ban the use of electronics.

And, there are very, very few totally dark places. Most have some sort of residual light. The tubes are designed to focus whatever light there is no matter how faint it is. And the phosporus lamps will store some light for a period of time. King of like the old radium watches. As long as it has been exposed to light recently it will still show dim light in the dark. Didn't you ever take a science class in school and play with that sort of thing?

So the phosphorus just "stores" the light it does not "create" it. Hold dad's watch under the lamp and watch it glow really brite when we turn the lights out.

Perry

Not in PA.

quote:

Originally posted by kudu56:
Wyoming, unless they recently changed it.

It was changed last year or the year before. Illuminated reticle legal, projected aiming point (laser) Not legal.

Ztreh,

I'm assuming that you mean they are legal in PA...here is the text from the Game Laws Digest

2) Lighted pins on bow sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as they don’t cast a beam. Any device used as a sight or scope
on any firearm, bow or crossbow that projects a light beam of any kind onto the target is unlawful.

Thanks all for your contirbutions

Paul

Not in California, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by DeerSkinner:
Not in California, of course.

Incorrect.

(i) Except as otherwise provided, while taking or attempting to take big game under the provisions of Section 353 or Section 354, Title 14, CCR, it is unlawful to use any device or devices which: 1) throw, cast or project an artificial light or electronically alter or intensify a light source for the purpose of visibly enhancing an animal; or 2) throw, cast or project an artificial light or electronically alter or intensify a light source for the purpose of providing a visible point of aim directly on an animal. Devices commonly referred to as "sniperscopes", night vision scopes or binoculars, or those utilizing infra-red, heat sensing or other non-visible spectrum light technology used for the purpose of visibly enhancing an animal or providing a visible point of aim directly on an animal are prohibited and may not be possessed while taking or attempting to take big game. Devices commonly referred to as laser rangefinders, "red-dot" scopes with self-illuminating reticles, and fiberoptic sights with self illuminating sight or pins which do not throw, cast or project a visible light onto an animal are permitted.


Night Vision is not legal.

Lasers are not legal.


Illuminated Reticles are Legal.

Good to go in Utah.
Page 30 of the Utah Big Game Field Regulations.

"Utah Code § 23-20-3 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-5-7
You may only use firearms and archery tackle that are expressly permitted in this guide.
You may not hunt big game with a firearm that’s capable of being fired fully automatic, or with any light-enhancement device or aiming device that casts a visible beam of light. Laser range-finding devices are exempt from this restriction."

Can't use them in Montana.

Idaho does allow lighted reticules and tritium powered reticules. Page 76 of the regulations. This was changed several years back to allow.

quote:

Originally posted by SG Olds:
Not in Idaho