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Hunting & Fishing Are illuminated reticles legal in your state for hunting?

Nuke Man

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Mar 24, 2012
475
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North West, Illinois
I have been going over alot of states hunting regs. I am putting together a western big game hunting rifle and was thinking of putting the vortex pst on it. As far as I can tell some states allow illuminated reticles, some dont. Idaho, and Colorado appear to not but Wyoming and Montana are sketchy. Any locals with knowledge from any state is appreciated. I dont want to purchase a scope that may not be legal in half the states I plan to hunt.
 
Last I checked Idaho and Arizona both changed their laws to allow scopes and sights with illuminated reticles.
 
You're right about being sketchy in Wyoming.

Artificial Light or Light Device, means any man-made light or lighting device which projects a light visible to the unaided eye outside of the device or any battery-powered device that provides an enhanced ability to see in the dark

That's scary, I never thought about it and have one on my scope. But reading that it looks like I may get in trouble. I think I'm going to take the battery out until I get a reading from the Fish & Game, then run it by the local game warden.

Glad I read this topic.
 
I thought the same about the battery, but the regs state any electronic device mounted, or incorporated into, or onto any firearm for hunting.
Its not worth a warden confiscating my weapon for.
I'll have to reverify on those states, maybe I misread something.
Thanks guys!
 
OK I found this on the WY Fish and Game Website, questions and answers.

Is a battery powered scope legal to use?

Battery powered scopes are legal to use for hunting, provided the battery is not powering a visible light projected at the target

That tells me that lit recitals are legal since the scope doesn't emit or project a light on the target.

Click on the Artificial light part, a .pdf file with the questions and answers will pop up.

Wyoming Game & Fish Department
 
You're right about being sketchy in Wyoming.



That's scary, I never thought about it and have one on my scope. But reading that it looks like I may get in trouble. I think I'm going to take the battery out until I get a reading from the Fish & Game, then run it by the local game warden.

Glad I read this topic.

I'm pretty sure they mean lasers/designators and night vision goggles/scopes. Most states have these restrictions.
 
Yea pretty sure our Montana wardens will write you up. Also in these states you can only hunt half our before sunrise to half hour after sunset. If you have a good scope with good light transmition you'll see your reticle just fine.
 
You're right about being sketchy in Wyoming.



That's scary, I never thought about it and have one on my scope. But reading that it looks like I may get in trouble. I think I'm going to take the battery out until I get a reading from the Fish & Game, then run it by the local game warden.

Glad I read this topic.

Yeah, Kraig, but the quote you made----an illuminated reticle does not really enhance your ability to see the target, just the cross hairs of the scope on the target....
 
OK I found this on the WY Fish and Game Website, questions and answers.



That tells me that lit recitals are legal since the scope doesn't emit or project a light on the target.

Click on the Artificial light part, a .pdf file with the questions and answers will pop up.

Wyoming Game & Fish Department


I've had a discussion or two in that regard. Illuminated reticles are just fine (now), at least from what the local G&F folks are telling me.


t
 
Kraig,

The Rep. from Glenrock got that changed a couple of years ago.
illuminated reticle are good to go. Lasers are not.
Night vision/thermal are currently not legal for anything.

John
 
Last edited:
Illumination is LEGAL in Idaho.

From the Proc

With any electronic device attached to, or incorporated
on, the firearm or scope;
except
scopes containing battery
powered or tritium lighted reticles are allowed.
 
kraigWY if you read the way it is described they are referring to a spotlight, or a flashlight, or some form of laser device. Illuminated reticles do not project out of the device the key is the following written reg as posted. "man-made light or lighting device which projects a light visible to the unaided eye outside of the device". There is no light projected out of the scope or outside of the scope.