Leica Sport Optics Binoculars, rangefinders and spotting scopes for successful hunting See more / The hunting experience / Observe and preserve 6 Hunting in the United Kingdom 13 The Duovid class 16 LEICA DUOVID 10 +15 x 50 / 17 LEICA DUOVID 8 + 12 x 42 3 18 The Duovid class : Key features at a glance 21 The Ultravid class 24 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 50 series / 25 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 42 series / 26 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 42 series / 27 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 32 series / 28 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 25 series / 29 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 25 series / 30 LEICA ULTRAVID BR 20 series / 31 LEICA ULTRAVID BL 20 series 32 The Ultravid class : Key features at a glance 37 The Trinovid class 40 LEICA TRINOVID BN 42 series / 41 LEICA TRINOVID BN 32 series / 42 LEICA TRINOVID BCA 25 series and LEICA TRINOVID BCA 20 series 43 The Trinovid class : Key features at a glance 47 The Televid class 50 LEICA TELEVID 77 series / 51 LEICA APO-TELEVID 77 series / 52 LEICA TELEVID 62 series / 53 LEICA APO-TELEVID 62 series 54 The Televid class : Key features at a glance Leica Digiscoping 59 The Geovid class 62 LEICA GEOVID BRF 56 series / 63 LEICA GEOVID BRF 42 series 56 64 The Geovid class : Key features at a glance 67 The Rangemaster class 70 LEICA RANGEMASTER CRF 1200 / 71 LEICA RANGEMASTER 1200 scan 72 The rangemaster class : Key features at a glance Technical Data 87 Very useful binocular equipment 91 Glossary 75 Grey wolf / Canis lupus 2/3 It is our eyes that guide us through the world. They shape our perception of our surroundings and all we encounter. Especially while hunting, it becomes clear that our natural sight is insufficient to meet our demands. Leica has dedicated itself to giving the discerning hunter the highest quality in optical instruments. Where distances are too great or light conditions are poor, the large selection of innovative sport optics, open new dimensions of human sight. They open new dimensions of optical performance and go beyond natural limitations, while at the same time ensuring unmistakable Leica quality. Our engineers and developers thrive on the challenge put forth by people with the highest standards and expectations in optical performance. As multi-faceted as their applications, so too are the methods used to create sport optics products that display images rich in contrast and with outstanding color rendition. Glass containing fluorite or those with corrected spectral dispersion, aspherical and achromatic lenses, as well as modern multi-layer coatings like HDCTM and HighLux-System HLSTM allow for unforgettable viewing experiences. Through our high standards, knowledge, and dedication we create optical masterpieces, which become the benchmark of their class. See more Red lynx / Lynx rufus Conservation, preservation, and wildlife management are important principles of hunting. However, for you the hunter, hunting means so much more. It means respect for wildlife and nature, as well as a true passion. Besides experience, knowledge and a bit of luck, a hunter needs high quality optics to properly pursue game during low-light conditions. Our quest is to bring enthusiasts closer to nature, and coupled with our Leica expertise, make our optical instruments the ideal field companions. Even under the most grueling conditions, such as extreme temperature changes and constant physical abuse, our products exceed expectations. The reason for this being that Leica binoculars, spotting scopes, and laser rangefinders are the result of many years of experience, uncompromising quality standards and a continuing dedication to excellence. Leica's product development is driven by international "Innovation Teams" comprised of experts and users. This approach has resulted in numerous patents, e. g. the multifunction center drive of our full-size binoculars, the dual-focusing device of our spotting scopes and our unique laser rangefinding technology. The hunting experience We see it as our duty to protect the environment. Therefore, Leica only uses environmentally friendly materials and technology. As such, all glass is lead- and arsenic-free, and has been so for years. Leica is also active worldwide in protecting endangered species and conserving crucial habitat. Observe and preserve Mouflon / Ovis ammon musimon Every country has its own hunting laws and to the visitor the UK might appear restrictive and traditional, in fact nothing could be further from the truth ! First and perhaps most importantly is the fact that you don't need a hunting permit, as you might in America. Hunting in the United Kingdom 6/7 For example in the USA you would buy a deer tag, which allowed you to hunt one animal only. Technically the amount of animals you can shoot here is limitless ; though and as ever good sense, opportunity and moderation prevail. And all you need is a place to shoot and permission to do so. This might take the form of land you have permission from the owner to use, or that has been set aside for commercial deer hunting (an estate), where you pay the owner an amount per animal or per day. Smaller but similar might be a stalker who owns their own land and hires it out to shooters. Quite often trophy and guide fees are added on top of that. And though the majority of stalkers own their own rifles, you don't need one, as if you decide to go to an estate you can hire a gun and ammunition from them. Species wise we have Red, Sika, Fallow, Roe, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer, with only the Red and Roe being true native animals. The rest have been imported over the years, some as ornamental animals for deer parks, others for hunting. A good example might be the Fallow, which is said to have been brought over after the Norman conquest of 1066. We also have one hybrid animal the Red/Sika cross, depending on your location and view point these are seen by many as vermin that's weakening the traditional Red deer strain due to inter breeding. Hence in England and Wales there's no closed season on this species. The Red stag is perceived as the most sought after trophy animal in the UK and people will pay a lot of money to go up to Scottish highlands for the pleasure of a stalk up on the hills and heather. Stalking can be hard up there with potentially long shots and a good deal of crawling and climbing to get into position due to the lack of cover. However and despite their apparent reputation, the Scottish Red is not as big as you might imagine ; certainly in comparison to southern Reds who have better grazing on arable crops. Whereas their fodder is of a much lower quality. Down in Anglia a good Red Hind that's been feeding on root crops will often match the weight of a supposedly big Scottish stag. Fallow, which is a medium sized animal tend to be gregarious and also migratory. Herds of between 20-40 are reasonably common. Striking too are the melonistic strain, which can be in some cases pure black, which makes for a very impressive animal and trophy. Roe tend to move in smaller groups with a buck and a few does, at some times, or does and their young at others. Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer are more singular by nature and are encountered more in thick woodland than in the open. Whatever, it's not about size and antler, as all species will give you a decent and challenging hunt. There is wild boar in the UK and they are hunted, though they are not that widespread, but they are breeding and expanding at a rate. And in the not so distant future they will probably become a quarry species like deer. Hunting in the UK is done a lot from high seats, which is a highly practical method. Firing downwards gives you a safe backstop, so the seats can be sited in areas where a horizontal shot might not be safe. Plus and usually on estates they can be positioned overlooking where the deer will appear to feed, so very much guaranteeing the client the possibility of an animal. But there is also a lot of foot stalking if you prefer the thrill of the chase. But both methods have there plus and minus points. However, shooting deer from a vehicle is not allowed, nor is taking them at night with a lamp. Though it is possible to apply for a night shooting licence, but not for sporting purposes, only if you need to cull for reasons of overpopulation of excessive crop damage. But for the sports shooter deer hunting is dawn to dusk only. Also no shot may be taken within 100-yards of a road, for safety reasons. Terrain-wise the UK has a lot to offer with woods, moorland, forests, hills and even mountains. Shots can be close up or long range, with the more experienced seeing 300-400-yards as an acceptable distance. Like the Europeans and Americans we hunt in all weathers and seasons ; so be prepared ... Legal requirements are simple as to the rifle and ammunition, it has to be a Centrefire calibre and a minimum of 6 mm and able to produce a minimum muzzle energy of 1700 ft/lbs. And the bullet must be of the expanding type ­ soft point, hollow point or ballistic tip. For most entry-level stalkers the top choice is either 243 or 308 Winchester. Also popular though perhaps less prolific are 6.5 x 55 mm Swedish, 30-06 Springfield and to a lesser degree 270 Winchester. Any and all of these are more than capable of taking a big Red stag ; given correct bullet placement and choice. You also see a few 25-06s and even 7 x 57 mm Mauser etc and the 308-based calibres like 260 Remington or 7 mm-08 Remington are becoming more popular. Currently there is one exception to the 6 mm/1700 ft/lb law and that's in Scotland where you are allowed to take smaller species like Roe with a 22 Centrefire. Here calibres like 222, 223 and 22-250 Remington and to a lesser degree 220 Swift are favoured. Currently this is not allowed in England or Wales who still operate the 6 mm minimum. However, this might change in the near future with Roe, Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer allowed to be taken with a 22 Centrefire. There are no limitations on sighting systems, though the telescopic sight is universally favoured and it's rare to see a hunter using iron sights ; unlike in Europe. For deer hunting in the UK the most popular rifle is a bolt-action repeater, with very few shooters opting for lever-actions, double/single barrels or even combinations. Pump-actions and semi-automatics are banned from ownership and have been since 1988. Though they are still legal to own in 22 Rimfire format in all of the above actions. the food chain, then it must conform to European guidelines, as to how it's be prepared and offered to a game dealer. And it also has to be checked by a vet for diseases and infection. Currently the private stalker is under no such obligation, as their meat is for private consumption only. However and again good sense should prevail and attending a BDS or BASC course will show you what to do and more importantly what to look out for. Deer species are reasonably evenly spread around the UK, though places in England/Wales (no closed season) though not in Scotland, yet the Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer can be shot at any time of the year wherever they are found in the UK. Deer in the UK are shot for a number of reasons and levels, which includes trophies and meat, which is becoming more popular in restaurants, super markets, as well as specialised butchers. But also to keep numbers down, as we do have a massive population of wild animals, which do a lot of damage to crops and forestry. Shooters tend to fall into three main groups, at the bottom we have those who just want to experience shooting a deer once or twice a year and maybe get a bit of meat. Next are the more traditional stalkers who shoot mainly for trophies and tend to approach it in a more stylised manner, which includes equipment choice. Then there are the professional shooters who see it as a living, or as a job that needs doing. They tend to approach it a bit more technically with semi or full custom rifle with bipods, range finders and even camouflage clothing. They're job is to keep numbers down and sell the meat to game dealers. And it's this need for well made, tough and accurate rifles Hunting or Target Shooting ? The law insists upon a firearms licence for the private citizen to be able to own guns and sees target shooters and hunters as two separate entities. With the latter having to nominate land to shoot over or show that they have access to land, in the case of buying a day's stalking on an estate. So owning a rifle to shoot on the range does not necessarily allow you to take it hunting ... However, as a private individual ; once permission to hunt has been granted there's no legal requirement to show how many animals you have shot. Likewise on training courses, which are not mandatory. But our own British Deer Society (BDS) runs levels of training for novice and more experienced stalkers, as does The British Association for Shooting & Conservation (BASC). They teach things like deer recognition, rifle/calibre choice, shot placement, mark ...