- Scope bite is an injury that can cause serious injuries to your eyebrow, forehead, and/or dominant eye.
- It is often caused by using the wrong optics with rifles or failing to use them properly.
- Investing in the right scope for a rifle, mounting it correctly, and keeping your eyes away from it can increase safety.
When you’re out in the woods hunting, adrenaline is high, and you’re constantly focused on your targets. Mistakes can happen, and unfortunately, injuries like scope bite can occur. Find out what it is, which factors cause it, and how to prevent it.
What Is Scope Bite?
Scope bite — also known as scope eye or scope ring — should be avoided at all costs. At best, it will be a minor inconvenience while hunting, and in a worst-case scenario, it can result in serious injuries.
So, what is scope bite? It’s an injury to the eyebrow, forehead, and/or dominant eye that takes place when your rifle and its mounted optic jump backward when your firearm recoils. If your face is close enough, the back edge of your eyepiece can contact your eyebrow area, leaving you with anything from a slight bruise to a nasty cut requiring stitches.
In certain instances, this injury can lead to severe wounds and excessive bleeding. This can put you in a precarious position if you’re hunting in the woods, since it may be hours before you can reach the nearest emergency room.
What Causes Scope Bite?
Simply using a rifle with a mounted optic will not lead to scope bite. However, you might put your face at risk if you take missteps while hunting.
Here are several common causes:
- Using the wrong rifle scope and getting too close
- Shooting a rifle without the proper support
- Attempting to fire a rifle too quickly
Tips on How to Avoid Scope Bite
Whether you’re an amateur or an experienced shooter, scope bite could become an issue. Thankfully, you can take these preventative measures to avoid it:
- Start with the right scope: Get a rifle scope with greater eye relief to obtain a good view while keeping a safe distance.
- Mount your gun properly: Firmly plant your firearm against your shoulder to mitigate recoil.
- Adjust your head position: If you're firing uphill or at an angle, adjust your position to remain safe from a scope.
- Use a firearm that fits: Invest in a rifle that braces its buttpad against your shoulder.
- Practice keeping your distance:Use your unloaded rifle to practice shooting in different positions.
- Upgrade to an advanced recoil pad: Buy a better pad to manage your firearm's recoil and reduce injury risks.
Most importantly, take your time. Any hunter who sees a target appear unexpectedly might be tempted to take a quick shot. Doing this without setting up a shot could cause a bloody eyebrow.
Search for a Scope That Won’t Bite
When figuring out how to avoid scope bite, one of the most essential steps is picking up a high-quality optic with generous eye relief. It will enable you to obtain the proper sight picture from a safe distance, minimizing the chances of injury. Browse through our extensive collection to find the best scope.