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Top 5 Scopes for Coyote Hunting – [Reviews]

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Coyote hunting is not only a fun hobby, but it can also do the very real work of population control. When you head out to hunt, it’s important to have the right rile and the right scope, that’s why we have compiled reviews of the best scopes for coyote hunting.

Coyotes tend to come out when it’s a bit darker during dusk or dawn, and in many areas, they are most active at night only. They’re not always easy to find and see, so you really need to think about getting the best scopes for coyote hunting if that’s the target you’re looking for.

Many newbies to coyote hunting concentrate on coyote calls, then they may complain that it did didn’t work.

Maybe the calls did work, and you just didn’t see the coyotes?

That’s probably because they saw you first. They’re sneaky that way. That’s why you need a scope, so that you can find the coyote before they notice you.

Let’s go back to the proper scopes for coyote. You should take a look at the following excellent options:

Name	Magnification & OL	Reticle	FOV	Price
Sightmark Photon 6.5x50S Digital Night Vision Riflescope	6.5×50	Digital reticle	6m-22.5 ft(@100m/@100yd)
Nikon 16448 Active Target Special BDC Riflescope	3-9×40	BDC Reticle	33.8 to 11.3(@ 100 yds (ft)
J&K Outdoor Products Nyte Vu 30mm Scope Converter	30mm	Reticle displays	—
Thomson Center Predator Scope 3-12X40 Ap Snow Camo	3-12X40	Center-plex reticle	—
Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6 x 24 AR-BDC Reticle	1-6×24	AR-BDC Reticle	116.5-19.2(feet/100 yards)

Our Picks

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Sightmark Photon 6.5x50S Digital Night Vision Riflescope

Score: 4  Andrew Garfield

This exemplifies the key features you need for a coyote hunting scope. You can use this during the day, but it’s great for night time use as well.

With the 6.5x magnification, you can make sure you can get your target for far enough away that the coyote doesn’t see you. The 50mm objective lens also makes sure you get a bright and clear image even in low light.

Features:

• lightbulb-oYou can use this at any time at any time of the day, and you can even use this at night. That’s because it has a built-in 810nm LED IR illuminator, so you can light the area up without alarming the coyote.
• lightbulb-oThere are also 6 different styles for the digital reticle. You can then pick one the suits your preferences.
• lightbulb-oThis offers a high resolution digital display so you really can see what’s out there. You don’t really want to shoot another guy in the dark.
• lightbulb-oIt comes with video out capability, so you can record your great shots on video.
• lightbulb-oThe eye relief is good at 2.36 inches.

Pros

• checkThis can be used for both day and night shooting.
• checkThe built-in illumination is great, as it can show you your targets in the dark even 150 yards out. The image quality is fantastic
• checkYou can record a video of your shots.
• checkSetting this thing up is actually quite easy.
• checkThe customer service is terrific.

Cons

• exclamation-triangleThe IR illumination may not be all that good during the winter with all that snow.
• exclamation-triangleYou have to use a lithium battery, and even without the IR that can last only about 5 hours.
• exclamation-triangleYou will need to get your own rings to fit the rifle platform.

The Sightmark Photon is terrific indeed. It’s like a scope that’s specifically designed for hunting coyote. The fact that it’s great for many other types of use is a bonus you can’t ignore either. Check out its Amazon page and you may find a nice discount as well.

Nikon 16448 Active Target Special BDC Riflescope

Score: 5  Andrew Garfield

If you’re new to hunting or your budget isn’t exactly flush, it doesn’t mean you’re not able to get a coyote hunting scope that ought to work.

There are actually a handful of good ones, though of course they’re still in the 3-digit price range. This is the most affordable on this list, but it sure isn’t cheap by any quality standard.

Features:

• lightbulb-oThis offers 3 to 9x magnification, which offers shooting distances from short to mid-range.​
• lightbulb-oThe 40mm objective lens is big enough to illuminate the view at the typical times that coyotes come out.
• lightbulb-oThe BDC Active Target reticle gives you an open circle design that doesn’t block the sight picture. It also makes it easier for you to shoot at moving targets.
• lightbulb-oIt uses spring-loaded Instant Zero-Reset turrets and a quick-focus eyepiece. You’re able to make adjustments much easier when you’re shooting.
• lightbulb-oIt has an anti-reflective feature that removes the possibility of lens glare that can spook your prey.

Pros

• checkThis can be matched with both bolt action and AR rifle platforms.
• checkThe eye relief is quite generous, so you don’t need to worry about heavy recoil. You’re better able to shoot a coyote even when it’s moving.
• checkThe click-stop reticle adjustments can be heard and felt so you can zero in more quickly even with repeated recoil. The filed adjustments now can be done simply by dialing in your ranges.
• checkThe antireflective device prevents any glare from the lens, but it’s detachable too.
• checkIt’s waterproof, shockproof, and fogproof.

Cons

• exclamation-triangleIt can be used with the Nikon Spot On Ballistic Match Technology, but that’s a separate purchase.
• exclamation-triangleThe reticle may be a bit unfamiliar at first.
• exclamation-triangleIt may not gather enough light during the dead of night.

The Nikon 16448 is a nice scope to have, especially with the Nikon Spot On. The objective lens is good enough for dusk and dawn shooting, and it’s great for moving targets. Check it out on the Amazon.com site for the lowest price online.

J&K Outdoor Products Nyte Vu 30mm Scope Converter

Score: 5  Andrew Garfield

This isn’t really a scope, as it’s more like a scope accessory. What it does is to turn your rifle scope into one with night vision capability. It’s also designed to work with the Nyte Vu goggles. It’s actually meant for real night hunting, especially for coyotes and wild boars.

The design is quite innovative. It’s basically a special type of camera that looks down through the scope. The video image it gathers is then displayed through the goggles.

Features:

• lightbulb-oWhat the design means for you is that you no long have to shoulder the weapon and peer through the eyepiece yourself. In fact, you can shoot this around corners for self-defense purposes. The reticle display is shown in the goggles.
• lightbulb-oYou can see up to 300 feet out, even in total darkness. That’s due to the use of the IR illuminator. 
• lightbulb-oNow you don’t have to replace the scope on a rifle to get night vision capability. You can have that right away because you can easily install it with the quick detach rail system.
• lightbulb-oThis works for both rifle and pistol scopes. You can pick between the converters that suit the 1-inch or 30mm tubes.

Pros

• checkIf you already have a scope, there’s no need to buy another one just for night vision. There’s even no need to remove a scope to replace it.
• checkThe range is quite good enough for coyote hunting.
• checkThis can work even in total darkness so coyotes can’t hide from you in the shadows.
• checkYou can position your head wherever you want.
• checkIt works for many different types of scopes.

Cons

• exclamation-triangleYou’ll still need a separate scope if you don’t have one yet.
• exclamation-triangleYou also need to get the goggles to make this work.
• exclamation-triangleThe range may not be far enough for some shooters.

Basically, you only get the J&K Converter if you already have a scope and you want a night vision option without busting a budget. It’s more convenient too, since you don’t need to remove the scope on the rifle. It’s a great accessory that also works well for self-defense since you can shoot home intruders around corners with a pistol.

Thomson Center Predator Scope 3-12X40 Ap Snow Camo

Score: 4.6  Andrew Garfield

On the face of it, this scope is for hunting in the winter. That’s when most hunters like to go after coyote. They have a nice fur, and they’re more apt to go out in the day to look for their meals. ​

It’s really designed for the Thompson center Venture and Encore Pro Hunter Predator 35008355 rifles, but you can put in on a 204 too.

Features:

• lightbulb-oThe magnification goes from 3 to 12x, so you can target coyotes in a wide range of distances.
• lightbulb-oWith the 40mm objective lens, you get more than sufficient light gathering ability, even at dusk or dawn.
• lightbulb-oThe lenses are also polished and fully coated for terrific clarity.
• lightbulb-oIt comes with color matched rings so it maintains its looks. This will fit any base in the Weaver-style.
• lightbulb-oIts’ very durable and stays on zero.

Pros

• checkThis thing really is shockproof. You can put the rifle on a truck rack and drove over rough terrain for years and you still won’t have issues.​​​​​
• checkIt is fogproof and waterproof as well. That’s to be expected when it has a snow camo design. ​
• checkAs for that design, it certainly looks cool and unusual.
• checkIt stays on zero very well.
• checkIt’s extremely affordable.

Cons

• exclamation-triangleYou may not find it a perfect match for all your rifles. It’s a bit picky.
• exclamation-triangleIt’s not exactly going to give you “high performance” but then that’s un unfair expectation given its very low price.​

Here’s a simple question. Do you have the Thompson center Venture and encore Pro hunter predator 35008355 rifles? If so, go over to its Amazon.com web page and buy it’ you’ll get a lot of value for your money, and you may even find that it works well even with your other rifles.

Vortex Optics Strike Eagle 1-6 x 24 AR-BDC Reticle

Score: 4.7  Andrew Garfield

Sometimes you can hunt coyote by luring then in to get really close to you. When that’s the case, you don’t really need high magnification. You need speed instead.

You get that with this scope, and it can be used in many other different types of hunting conditions as well.

Features:

• lightbulb-oIt offers 1 to 6x magnification. This gives you quick target acquisition at close range and you can crank it up to get targets from farther away.​
• lightbulb-oThe illuminated reticle is great for low light, and you can sue the reticle to estimate range.
• lightbulb-oIt’s extremely durable, as it is shockproof, waterproof, and fogproof.
• lightbulb-oThe fast focus eyepiece lets you focus on the reticle quickly and easily.
• lightbulb-oAll the air-to-glass surfaces have multiple antireflective coatings. This boosts the light transmission significantly.

Pros

• checkIt’s easy to make adjustments due to the design of the knobs.
• checkThe glass is quite good.
• checkThe reticle is offers several functions that can really help you hit your targets.
• checkThe matte finish helps reduce glare that may betray your position.
• checkIt comes with a lifetime warranty.

Cons

• exclamation-triangleIt will take you a while to get used to the reticle.
• exclamation-triangleYou can’t really use this if it gets too dark.

The best site to get the Vortex Strike Eagle is on Amazon.com where it has garnered a lot of rave reviews. If you’re using this for dusk and dawn shooting, you may find yourself bagging that coyote you’ve been looking for.

How We Wrote This Review

We picked the best scopes you can use to hunt coyotes, and we made sure that we have them in different price ranges. None of them are ultra-cheap because for this type of hunting a low end scope will just not do the job.

It’ll cost you more in the end because you’ll then eventually replace it when you keep failing to bag your targets because of it. We then highlighted the various pertinent features, with emphasis on what makes them suitable for coyote hunting.

We pointed out the pros and cons, though since they’re our recommendations it should be apparent that we feel the advantages they bring outweigh whatever drawbacks they may have.

We’ve also taken into account the other rifle scope reviews we found from experts and from actual customers. We made sure that these things actually do work as advertised and that they can be used without difficulty.

A Coyote Hunting Scope Isn’t the Only Thing You Need

It’s true that you do need a good scope for shooting and hitting your targets. In fact, it’s been said that a scope is probably even more important when it comes to getting the bullet to the target.

A fantastic scope can offer you great accuracy with a middling rifle, but a superb rifle is useless when your scope is no good. But you do need to take into account the need for a proper predator rifle.

That’s a rifle that refers to a flat shooting caliber gun that fires a small caliber at high velocity. Sure, you can MacGyver a venerable .300 Winchester for this type of hunting, but that’s not exactly the best option.

Since you’re going to hunt mostly at dawn and dusk, you’ll need a larger objective lens for light gathering capacity in low light conditions. With a larger objective, though, you’ll have issues with your sight picture because you’ll have to raise the scope higher.

This will affect the accuracy since you’ll have to raise your head to get a clear view through the scope. So you will probably need an aftermarket cheek pad so you can still have your cheek in tight contact with the stock.

How Did We Choose the Top 5?

Any type of scope must feature several basic and necessary attributes. They should actually be durable, which generally means waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof. They should work well and enable you to shoot accurately at your targets.

While some scopes are great for several types of use, we made sure that these scopes are specifically good for going after coyotes.

• arrow-rightThis means foremost that you should be able to see clearly even in low light conditions, as these are the times when coyotes venture out. This will of course include night vision scopes.
• arrow-rightWe checked that the range they offer you is enough. This means you’re able to see a target, hopefully without them noticing you.
• arrow-rightWe also made sure that these things were easy to use. There’s no point to nay advanced feature if it’s too complicated.
• arrow-rightFinally, we chose from a wide variety of price ranges. We made sure that there are more affordable options, as well as higher end scopes that may cost a bit more.

Who Should Buy These Scope?

There are 2 basic types of people who need a great rifle scope for coyote hunting. The first group is comprised of the coyote sport hunters. In many places, coyote hunting is legal all-year round, so when deer season is through they can still engage in coyote hunting.

Coyotes are wile and they present a suitable challenge even for experienced hunters. The other type of coyote hunter is made of the people who are protecting their livestock or pets from these critters. In many parts of the country, you won’t have to go out to look for coyote.

You only need to wait for them to come for your farm animals. Either way, these 2 groups need a good scope that can make sure that they actually bag their cunning prey.

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to hunt coyote, and it’s very easy to commit basic mistakes. One of the more common mistakes is not preparing properly for the low light conditions that re usually present when hunting coyote.

So if you do want to actually get a coyote, one of the most important tools you need is the best scopes for coyote hunting mounted on your predator rifle.

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