Burris E lll legal

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Has something changed? Are laser scopes legal now in Oregon? I read where a guy really liked hunting with his.

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[Greenbug]

My understanding is that scopes with an illuminated reticle are legal, however any scope that projects a beam to the target are not legal. The Burris Eliminator projects a laser rangefinder beam to the target so it would not be legal for use on big game in Oregon per the regulations.

 

[svg4]

My understanding is that scopes with an illuminated reticle are legal, however any scope that projects a beam to the target are not legal. The Burris Eliminator projects a laser rangefinder beam to the target so it would not be legal for use on big game in Oregon per the regulations.

Thanks greenbug.

 

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Thanks Greenbug.

 

[Stomper]

My understanding is that scopes with an illuminated reticle are legal, however any scope that projects a beam to the target are not legal. The Burris Eliminator projects a laser rangefinder beam to the target so it would not be legal for use on big game in Oregon per the regulations.

Is the range finder beam visible? I believe that regulation pertains to VISIBLE projections like "ye olde" red/green laser dots painted on a target that aid in POI on that target. The non-visible (IR) method of range-finding (not spot lighting) isn't (IMHO) any different than having a range-finding reticle in a scope, or a hand-held laser range finder.


Good question to get definitavely answered!


OAR 635-065-0745 Prohibited Methods

It is unlawful:

(1) To shoot from or across a public road, road right-of-way, or railroad right-of-way, except that persons legally hunting on closed roads within department Cooperative Travel Management Areas are not violating current prohibitions on shooting from or across a public road.

(2) To hunt for or kill any wildlife for another person except as provided in ORS 498.170 for visually impaired hunters, and OAR 635-065-0090 for hunters with permanent disability permits.

(3) To hunt any game mammal with dogs, except western gray squirrel.

(4) To use an artificial light for hunting any wildlife, except raccoon, bobcat, and opossum provided the light is not cast from or attached to a motor vehicle. This includes laser sights or any other sights which project a beam to the target. This does not include battery operated sights which only light the reticle.

(5) To hunt any wildlife with infrared or any other "night vision" sight.

(6) To cast from or within 500 feet of a motor vehicle an artificial light on game mammals, predatory animals or livestock while having in possession or immediate physical presence a weapon with which the game mammals or livestock could be killed.

(7) To take any game mammals with trap or snare.

(8) To use any poisoning, immobilizing, or tranquilizing drug or chemical to hunt or kill any game mammal.

 

[Quartermaster]

@LuckySG Spoke with ODFW on this very topic.

 

[Stomper]

@LuckySG Spoke with ODFW on this very topic.

What came of it?

 

[LuckySG]

What came of it?

I put one on my new .308 and will have it ready for deer season. I am trying to get a reply in writing even if that is a VM transcript to share. A rangefinding scope does not produce any visible light, it can however help with a better killshot. I will update once I get something more than the pleasant phone conversation I had with an employee of ODFW back in August.

Jeremy

 

[2A2Dend]

I was going to comment when the topic was started. As others have said, the scope in question has a range finding feature. Same as a hand-held. Using them "should not" be illegal.
The optic does not throw a visible beam to the naked eye and paint the target.
The optic (LRF) works on the same mechanics as a hand-held that one holds in their hand or on a tri-pod.
The difference of the Eliminator scope and a hand-held is the internal LRF determines distance relative to wanted POI, and adjusts POI internally on the reticule to take the guess work out of things.

DFW need to pull their heads out of their posteriors. And/Or re-write their regulations/clause to make it clearly understandable. OR simply say, The..Burris..Eliminator (type) Rifle Scopes Are NOT Allowed
For as long as the Burris Eliminator scope has been on the market, this subject pops up. This should not be the case.

 

[Greenbug]

This includes laser sights or any other sights which project a beam to the target. This does not include battery operated sights which only light the reticle.

This is the new verbage in ODFW regulations. The old verbage used to say "project a visible beam to the target". They just removed the word "visible" from the phrasing making laser range finding rifle scopes illegal to use for big game in Oregon. I think they changed the wording around 2006 or so. Technically these rifle scopes do project a beam to the target making them illegal.

BTW
ODFW does not enforce the game regulations/laws. To get a correct answer to the question you should be asking the Oregon State Police (game enforcement division) weather or not a specific hunting method is allowed. ODFW wont be the ones writing you a ticket and confiscating your gear!

If you really want to stump the OSP desk sergeant ask him/her if it is legal to hunt with a suppressor! I did one time a few years ago knowing that it was legal. They said that it was not legal to use a suppressor while hunting. I then asked the sergeant what the ORS code was that would be violated if one was caught hunting with a suppressor, they said they would have to call me back. They did call back about a week and a half later and said that apparently it was not illegal as there was no statute prohibiting the practice. I said thank you and continued to shoot coyotes suppressed.