Smart scope unlawful for hunting in BC.

BenBelgian

BenBelgian

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Hi,

I was at Cabela's yesterday and wondered about these "smart scope tech". The staff was telling me it's illegal to use the technology for hunting.

According to the guy, the Sig BDX is fine because it needs to sync with an external range finder and it's only giving the bullet drop and not highlighting exactly where to place the bullet.
The Burris eliminator isn't legal because it has an integrated range finder that will do the work for you and telling you where to place the bullet.

Has anyone dived the topic in great depth? I have looked in the regs and saw some stuff related to wifi cameras and drones but nothing specific about smart scopes.

Regs link: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/sports-recreation-arts-and-culture/outdoor-recreation/fishing-and-hunting/hunting/regulations/2020-2022/hunting-trapping-synopsis-2020-2022.pdf

What they have is on page 2.
• Prohibition on the use or possession of infrared optics while on a hunting expedition.​

Then the definition is at the bottom of page 3
Infrared Optics - means an optical device
with the capacity to detect infrared
radiation​

Thanks,
Ben
 
You'd think after being here for 6 years, you would have read enough threads on the BS that comes from the Cabela's/Bass Pro/Cambodian Tire/etc gun counters to just disregard most of what they tell you without fact checking it first.

Also, the way the law works is something is legal unless it specifically tells you it isn't. So if it's not in there, and no precedent has been set, you're fine.
 
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Curious? By the definitions that you posted, would think many rangefinders are not allowed as an "Infrared Optic"... I can only guess they were trying to prohibit a "heat seeing" device, but technology does more with IR today, than just see "heat"...

My own limited experience that the drop is a predictable thing, pretty much - a couple ways to establish what is the range, to know the drop - for example, that was the original purpose for mil dot - to range a distance to target. But is almost always the wind that will get me - I do not understand how IR can give you the answer for that? A miss 2 feet due to wind is still a miss like 2 feet too much drop?

By the way - kudos for trying to find what the Reg's actually say, versus the gun counter guy in a store...
 
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Maybe I am wrong here but doesn't a range finder use a laser? I always assumed that a range finder kinda worked the same as a depth sounder except one uses sound and the other uses.... well... a laser. LOL
The way I read those regs , they are talking about night vision/IR technology, not laser technology...... unless I am missing something here
 
45ACPKING said:
The way I read those regs , they are talking about night vision/IR technology, not laser technology...... unless I am missing something here
Click to expand...

That's my take on it as well.

For the last set of regs (2020-2022) they added a lot of 'electronics' ...drones, IR, e-bikes, wireless cameras with call home technology, etc
 
45ACPKING said:
Maybe I am wrong here but doesn't a range finder use a laser? I always assumed that a range finder kinda worked the same as a depth sounder except one uses sound and the other uses.... well... a laser. LOL
The way I read those regs , they are talking about night vision/IR technology, not laser technology...... unless I am missing something here
Click to expand...
I’m pretty sure you are right!!
 
45ACPKING said:
Maybe I am wrong here but doesn't a range finder use a laser? I always assumed that a range finder kinda worked the same as a depth sounder except one uses sound and the other uses.... well... a laser. LOL
...
Click to expand...

Laser - I wondered about that - I know some lasers I used building my house you could see a beam, or at least a dot - like on a level hung on wall from other side of room. But I don't think there is a dot to see with my hunting range finder - I had just "assumed" that the "beam" was IR or perhaps microwave - some form of light radiation that we do not see??
 
Actually (because "light spectrum" is a bit of my wheelhouse)
The construction worker tools (level, laser measurment tools) these usualy integrate a "visible" laser pointer. (Red or Green) the visible laser is just so people would know where they're aiming, the technology for the measurement is still the same and not visible to the human eyes.

The actual ranging is done with "light beam" that is not visible to the human eye. Using laser power level and frequency of the spectrum that can travel far and reflects pretty good while remining safe for the human bear eyes. (Usually the range finder rating are exaggerated if you consider ranging on an animal's fur but still not visible)

Some basic reading here https://opticsmag.com/how-laser-rangefinders-work/

Thanks all for the comments and input and sharing your interpretation of the regs. Since Infra Red isn't used I think I am safe to consider buying a smart scope.
 
Can-down said:
E bikes are not allowed eh... What about e trucks and cars?
Seems a bit Luddite Fudite.
Click to expand...

So this isn't allowed either??? Asking for a FRIEND.

mRAEtBt.jpg
 
BenBelgian said:
Actually (because "light spectrum" is a bit of my wheelhouse)
The construction worker tools (level, laser measurment tools) these usualy integrate a "visible" laser pointer. (Red or Green) the visible laser is just so people would know where they're aiming, the technology for the measurement is still the same and not visible to the human eyes.

The actual ranging is done with "light beam" that is not visible to the human eye. Using laser power level and frequency of the spectrum that can travel far and reflects pretty good while remining safe for the human bear eyes. (Usually the range finder rating are exaggerated if you consider ranging on an animal's fur but still not visible)

Some basic reading here https://opticsmag.com/how-laser-rangefinders-work/

Thanks all for the comments and input and sharing your interpretation of the regs. Since Infra Red isn't used I think I am safe to consider buying a smart scope.
Click to expand...

Um.. infrared is that part of of electromagnetic spectrum just beyond visible light with 700 nanometer to 1mm wavelength, right? My Google search just now suggests that rangefinders use a 1540 nanometer wavelength. If that is correct, a laser rangefinder certainly detects infrared.
 
45ACPKING said:
Maybe I am wrong here but doesn't a range finder use a laser? I always assumed that a range finder kinda worked the same as a depth sounder except one uses sound and the other uses.... well... a laser. LOL
The way I read those regs , they are talking about night vision/IR technology, not laser technology...... unless I am missing something here
Click to expand...

I contact fish and wildlife here in bc as I wanted to pur hase a Swarovsmi DS scope it has everything built in to it has informed that their interpretation was anything thing that projects a laser beam onto the target, unless you get your hands on military equipment a thing you can buy legally in Canada golden! My scope ranges, senses temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure and calculated drop producing a red dot in my reticle that is the holdover point to aim with works awesome.
 
TheNatural21 said:
Um.. infrared is that part of of electromagnetic spectrum just beyond visible light with 700 nanometer to 1mm wavelength, right? My Google search just now suggests that rangefinders use a 1540 nanometer wavelength. If that is correct, a laser rangefinder certainly detects infrared.
Click to expand...

The way the regs is written, the use of IR is to render thermal imaging and that's what they consider to be unlawful. Basically if they wanted to ban the use of "any IR technology" without specifying the use case, they would have to ban all the range finder for hunting and I think that's just insane.
 
thermals saturate the australian market, back orders and just selling like hot cakes.

no prestige in many taking larger trophy anumals these days...... quite sad.

unfortunatley the laws did not keep up here an not one license detail wass jotted down next to the sales of these things-
now we have one little authrotiy trying to 'cease thermalling on public land' , whilst most of the under 30s with a decent job are driving tracks in 60K Hiluxes 80K landcrusiers with their 2k rifles and 1k scopes and launching projectiles off roads into the abyss..... walkin out with trophys.

i hate it in on public land.


off topic. but yeah.
 
remington jim said:
Funny that buddy there has that high tech kit... but carries it around in a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic. I like the car and the kit, but it just seems funny.


Smart GUY ! He spent his MONEY on ALL the good stuff ! :) LOL RJ
Click to expand...

Reminded me of a thread in the OT where someone was talking about robotic "female companions" and of course the cost issue came up. I can't remember which of the wags here chimed in about not being able to afford (after "all the good stuff") such extravagances and closed the post with a goofy looking picture of stuffed shirt and pants with a hole in the crotch laying on a mat. I laughed so hard at that stupid picture. But you're right, cars can be extensive money pits... but so can the old restorations. ;)
 
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