Burris Eliminator III Laser scope

[Don@Tahoe]

I'm looking to put together a 1,000 yard Coyote gun with this scope, my interpretation of both Nevada and California hunting laws is that the scope is legal, however, I'm actually a little unsure about that and would like to know without a doubt that I'm correct, so,

Is this scope legal to hunt game in both states?

Do any of you guys have experience with this scope in the field, specifically, any run ins with a warden or LEO that did or did not end with a citation?

Has anyone talked with F&G about this scope?

[Quiet]

Scope with built in laser range finder = CA legal.

Scope with any type of night vision capabilities = CA illegal to use for hunting. [FGC 2005(c)]





Fish & Game Code 2005

[Mesa Defense]

I'm looking to put together a 1,000 yard Coyote gun with this scope, my interpretation of both Nevada and California hunting laws is that the scope is legal, however, I'm actually a little unsure about that and would like to know without a doubt that I'm correct, so,



Is this scope legal to hunt game in both states?



Do any of you guys have experience with this scope in the field, specifically, any run ins with a warden or LEO that did or did not end with a citation?



Has anyone talked with F&G about this scope?

[Don@Tahoe]

Merry Christmas Mesa!
Good point, Burris claims max range capability is 750 for non reflective and 1,000 for reflective, zero will be at 750, with practice I could probably adjust, would like to get behind one but unlikely I'll have the chance....

[Aeonstar]

if you really want to hit yotes at 1k you might want to consider a traditional exposed turret scope. Not saying it does not work but coyote size targets at 1k are going to require exact Dope and unless its dead calm you will have to hold off with the burris. even fast rounds drift a long way in a 5mph wind. a bad *** 6.5rsaum pushing 140gr burgers super fast still has over 2 feet of drift in a 5mph wind. hold offs at 1k = misses

[Fjold]

The only way I've found to accurately hit coyotes at long distance is to range every landmark that you can around the dog when it comes into sight. Most of the time the dog itself will be too small and moving.


My personal record is 732 yards

[taperxz]

$2000 will get you what you need

Steiner 5x25

[NickTheGreek]

Scope with built in laser range finder = CA legal.

Scope with any type of night vision capabilities = CA illegal to use for hunting. [FGC 2005(c)]





Fish & Game Code 2005
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, it is unlawful to use an artificial light to assist in the taking of a game bird, game mammal, or game fish.
(b) It is unlawful for one or more persons to throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway or in a field, woodland, or forest where game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, or nongame mammals are commonly found, or upon a game mammal, fur-bearing mammal, or nongame mammal, while having in his or her possession or under his or her control a firearm or weapon with which that mammal could be killed, even though the mammal is not killed, injured, shot at, or otherwise pursued.
(c) It is unlawful to use or possess night vision equipment to assist in the taking of a bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, or fish. For purposes of this subdivision, “night vision equipment” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) An infrared or similar light, used in connection with an electronic viewing device.
(2) An optical device, including, but not limited to, binoculars or a scope, that uses electrical or battery powered light amplifying circuits.
(d) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Sport fishing in ocean waters, or other waters where night fishing is permitted, if an artificial light is not used on or as part of the fishing tackle.
(2) Commercial fishing.
(3) The taking of mammals governed by Article 2 (commencing with Section 4180) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 4.
(4) The use of a hand-held flashlight that is no larger and emits no more light than a two-cell, three-volt flashlight, and is not affixed to a weapon.
(5) The use of a lamp or lantern that does not cast a directional beam of light.
(6) Headlights of a motor vehicle that are operated in a usual manner and without attempt or intent to locate a game mammal, fur-bearing mammal, or nongame mammal.
(7) An owner of land devoted to the agricultural industry, or the owner’s employee, while on that land.
(8) An owner of land devoted to the agricultural industry, or the owner’s employee, while on land controlled by the owner in connection with the agricultural industry.
(9) Other uses as the commission may authorize by regulation.
(e) A person shall not be arrested for violation of this section except by a peace officer.

It's kind of wobbly, at least how I see it, because the law says "not limited to the following..." Which means CA can classify anything they want as illegal after the fact. But as this reads, using thermal imaging may be legal because it doesn't amplify light, it simply lets you see heat signatures. It also doesn't emit any light or infrared at an animal, only to the person using the scope. Red dots also emit light to the viewer. Doubt you'd be able to win in court if a prosecutor was persistent enough.

[lewdogg21]

$2000 will get you what you need

Steiner 5x25

I know a guy who owns a couple gun stores. Says he can get that for me for $1200.

Don - what rifle are you thinking about building for this use? This topic interests me.

[tony270]

Originally Posted by Quiet View Post
Scope with built in laser range finder = CA legal.

Scope with any type of night vision capabilities = CA illegal to use for hunting. [FGC 2005(c)]





Fish & Game Code 2005
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by this section, it is unlawful to use an artificial light to assist in the taking of a game bird, game mammal, or game fish.
(b) It is unlawful for one or more persons to throw or cast the rays of a spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light on a highway or in a field, woodland, or forest where game mammals, fur-bearing mammals, or nongame mammals are commonly found, or upon a game mammal, fur-bearing mammal, or nongame mammal, while having in his or her possession or under his or her control a firearm or weapon with which that mammal could be killed, even though the mammal is not killed, injured, shot at, or otherwise pursued.
(c) It is unlawful to use or possess night vision equipment to assist in the taking of a bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, or fish. For purposes of this subdivision, “night vision equipment” includes, but is not limited to, the following:
(1) An infrared or similar light, used in connection with an electronic viewing device.
(2) An optical device, including, but not limited to, binoculars or a scope, that uses electrical or battery powered light amplifying circuits.
(d) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Sport fishing in ocean waters, or other waters where night fishing is permitted, if an artificial light is not used on or as part of the fishing tackle.
(2) Commercial fishing.
(3) The taking of mammals governed by Article 2 (commencing with Section 4180) of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of Division 4.
(4) The use of a hand-held flashlight that is no larger and emits no more light than a two-cell, three-volt flashlight, and is not affixed to a weapon.
(5) The use of a lamp or lantern that does not cast a directional beam of light.
(6) Headlights of a motor vehicle that are operated in a usual manner and without attempt or intent to locate a game mammal, fur-bearing mammal, or nongame mammal.
(7) An owner of land devoted to the agricultural industry, or the owner’s employee, while on that land.
(8) An owner of land devoted to the agricultural industry, or the owner’s employee, while on land controlled by the owner in connection with the agricultural industry.
(9) Other uses as the commission may authorize by regulation.
(e) A person shall not be arrested for violation of this section except by a peace officer.

The way I read the complete section, the scope is completely legal to use. See the bold, then decipher what the section says.

[tony270]

This is what we have used to determine what is acceptable:

CCR T14-353. Methods Authorized
for Taking Big Game.

(j) Except as otherwise provided, while taking or
attempting to take big game under the pro-
visions of this section or Section 354of these
regulations, 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 enhanc-
ing 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 vis-
ible point of aim directly on a 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 a 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.
(k) Unless provided in these regulations or any
other law, it is unlawful to possess a loaded
muzzleloading firearm in any vehicle or con-
veyance or its attachments which is standing
on or along or is being driven on or along any
public road or highway or other way open to
the public.
For the purposes of this section, a muzzle-
loading firearm shall be deemed to be loaded
when it is capped or primed or has an elec-
tronic or other ignition device attached and
has a powder charge and projectile or shot in
the barrel or cylinder.
(m) Upon application to the department, the de-
partment may issue a Disabled Muzzleloader
Scope Permit, free of any charge or fee, to any
person with a physical disability, as defined
in subsection (m), which prevents him/her
from being able to focus on the target utilizing
muzzleloading rifles equipped with open or
“peep” sights. The Disabled Muzzleloader
Scope Permit authorizes the disabled hunter
to use a 1X scope on a muzzleloading rifle, as
described in subsection (h), with a muzzle-
loading rifle only tag.
(1) Applications for a Disabled Muzzleloader
Scope Permit as specified in Section 702
of these regulations shall be submitted to
the department at the address specified
on the application and shall include:
(A) Applicant’s name
(B) Applicant’s physical address
(C) Applicant’s date of birth
(D) Applicant’s Driver’s License or DMV
Number
(E) Applicant’s telephone number
(F) Applicant’s signature
(G) Medical Physician’s or Optometrist’s
name
(H) Medical Physician’s or Optometrist’s
business addres.

[lewdogg21]

Chicoredneck lives in the Reno area and has had them on rifles in the past that I know of back when he was still living in CA.

[Don@Tahoe]

NDOW responded, waiting on CA DGF

I'm interested in buying the Burris Eliminator III laser rifle scope for hunting, after reading the regs I'm not sure if the scope is legal to use or not, it's basically a scope with a rangefinder in it, will you please clarify if I can use the scope or not?

Good morning Don, after checking with a Game Warden, it looks like you are good to go. If you look on page 17 of the Big Game Hunting Guide, you'll see the exact regulation. As long as there is no visible beam out to the target, you can use the range finder scope. If there is any kind of visible beam (red dot etc.) you can not legally use it. Hope that helps with your question and thanks for reaching out.

[tony270]

No scope callable of projecting a beam aim point onto the target is allowed. It is clear as day to most of us, we have hashed over this umpteen times. Even the LA Times has a Q&A with CDFW that says what we have been saying.

[taperxz]

I know a guy who owns a couple gun stores. Says he can get that for me for $1200.

e.

Yes! Plus shipping and handling