The optimized ZEISS eyebox

Product News

Why the optimized ZEISS eyebox enables flexible viewing behavior with riflescopes.

A pack of wild boars crosses the wide clearing. Now quickly turn your head to catch a glimpse through the scope. Keeping everything in view at the decisive moment and getting into aiming position in time can be crucial for a successful hunt. When rotating the body so quickly, having a riflescope with an optimized eye box is the key. In this interview with our Head of ZEISS Systems Design, Dr. Johannes Zellner, we find out why the eye box plays such an important role, how ZEISS has optimized the optical design for this purpose, and why elaborate digital imaging simulations play such an essential role in this process.

Why don’t you start by explaining to us exactly what the eye box is and why it plays such an important role in hunting?

Dr. Johannes Zellner: “The eye box is the usable area behind the riflescope. The geometric size of the eye box depends on the size of the entrance pupil, the magnification level, and the field of view. The actual usable area of this eye box is additionally defined by how well the image is corrected within this geometric eye box. The eye box should be as large as possible so that the eye can detect the sharpest possible image over the entire field of view, even if it isn’t positioned exactly. When hunting, especially during driven hunts or when stalking, i.e., when things have to happen quickly, a large eye box offers a decisive advantage, since the eye doesn’t have to be positioned as precisely and yet you can still move your head. Ultimately, it means you can aim at the target more easily and take an ethical shot at just the right moment.”

The image shows the eye box in the case of a riflescope – namely the usable area behind the riflescope (shown in blue).

What are the distinguishing features of ZEISS riflescopes’ eye box?

Zellner: “In order to achieve the best possible view in all hunting situations, we optimize the eye box for different use cases, such as different pupil sizes and different positions of the eye in relation to the riflescope.

By minimizing the spherical aberration of the pupil image, we ensure that the back focal length of the exit pupil is constant over the entire field of view. This allows us to optimize the range in which hunters can move their head along the axis of the scope.

We optimize the optical image for the lowest possible color fringes when the eye is off-center perpendicular to the axis of the riflescope. Last but not least, we ensure that the image exhibits as little vignetting as possible right up to the edge of the field of view at all magnifications. In other words, we engineer the optical design so that the view of hunting situations is as sharp and bright as possible, even when there’s a lot of movement.”

And how does ZEISS achieve such an optimized optical design?

Zellner: “In addition to optimizing imaging performance for different situations, we also want our riflescopes to offer hunters the highest possible degree of light transmission at a low weight. When it comes to optical design, we therefore have to achieve the perfect balance between high imaging performance and low weight, i.e., a small number of lenses.

We evaluate and compare different optical design alternatives using elaborate digital imaging simulations, which we also call “digital twins” – a kind of virtual prototype.

Imaging simulations can be used to depict real images of a hunting situation, such as aiming at a wild boar, under a wide range of usage conditions. This allows us to assess imaging performance of different optical design stages under real-life conditions, even before ever holding the product in our hands. The use of such “digital twins” has extremely shortened the cycles between optical design and validation under real-world conditions. This allows us to evaluate a larger number of design variations and achieve the optimal eye box for the hunting application. When it comes to imaging performance, we aren’t willing to accept any compromises!”

So how can hunters recognize a good eye box when buying a riflescope?

Zellner: “The best way to identify a large eye box is simply by moving the eye off-center, or forward and backward, in the area of the riflescope’s exit pupil and comparing different riflescopes. ZEISS riflescopes maintain excellent, low-vignetting imaging performance when moving the eye within the geometrically usable eye box.

All in all, you can say that the optimized eye box offers a particularly flexible viewing experience and gives hunters more room to maneuver when positioning their eye, even in dynamic hunting situations. Thanks to digital imaging simulations, ZEISS has improved the optical design to offer a bright and sharp image, even when the eye isn’t perfectly aligned with the riflescope’s exit pupil.”

Hunting Tahr in New Zealand

Long Range

When it all comes together

Since its introduction to New Zealand in 1904, the Himalayan goat has fared very well in the rough and mountainous region around Mount Cook, and has now spread to a wide range of mountain tops and valleys of the Southern alps.

Its thick coat makes it impervious to the harsh climate of the mountains, and its ability to scale almost vertical mountain sides means that you will often find them in places, only reachable by helicopter or arduous hikes up the steep mountain sides. This makes the thar a great and challenging specie to hunt.

Knowing this full well, I was almost shocked when I found myself on a mountain side, looking at a beautiful bull thar trough my V8. We had just started out that morning, on what I expected to be a long and hard ordeal, crawling over sharp rocks and loose shale, trying to get into position of the wary thar. But suddenly, like a roebuck walking into the meadow in a far off European forrest, the big bull came up over the ridge towards us.

As he jumped from one rock to the other, it was clear from his limp that he had probably been injured – maybe from fighting other bulls for domination of the heard. I got a closer look at him trough the Victory SF.

After a couple of tough weeks hunting red deer with little succes, here I was, looking at a great thar coming towards us after what had seemed like a quick morning stroll on the mountain. Eager not to loose this opportunity, I had dropped down in a good steady rest on my backpack. And now I was waiting for the broadside shot.

When you get an opportunity like that, there is always the risk that you are being over confident and that something goes wrong in the last second.

DAVID CARSTEN PEDERSEN

Moving closer, the bull suddenly stopped and turned his head to look straight at us. I dont know if he caught our wind. Or if his many years on the mountain had just taught him to be wary of everything. Knowing the range was good and not willing to wait and see if he would stand or run, I gently squeezed the trigger on the Sauer 404.

The light trigger broke like glas and even with the recoil of the 300 win mag, I could clearly see the shot land right behind the front leg of the big animal. As the bullet hit, he made a great leap forward, sprinting down the mountain side. And then he was gone. It was as if the long hard grass had swallowed him completely. The only thing left to testify what had happened was bullet casing on the ground and the sound of the shot, still echoing trough the valley.

“That was crazy, mate!” It was clear that my hunting buddy Ulrik was as happy as I. He had been hunting thar before and knew full well that what we had just experienced was luckier than we probably deserved. But as we went to look for the thar, we talked about all the parts that had to come together to make this happen. And the more we talked, the more agreed that luck was only a small part of it. We had done our homework and found an excellent guide who had showed us an area with plenty of thar. We had been training for weeks in the mountains and forests of the South Island, getting fit enough to move around in the shale without problems. We had brought gear that was made for the harsh mountains: optics making even the smallest details stand out, a rifle that could reach as far as we would ever need, and camouflage that made us disappear – even to the sharp eyes of the thar. It was this combination of research, preparation and the right gear that had made the hunt seem easy. The lucky part was being at the right place at the right time.

We found the thar less than a hundred meters from where he had disappeared. His beautiful head rested in the grass and his fur smelled of mountains and fog. “Now comes the hard part,” said Ulrik with a big grin. “You shoot him – you carry him” he said, smiling from ear to ear. Sometimes there is only the hard way.

Do it yourself

HOW TO HUNT IN NEW ZEALAND

Hunting in New Zealand is a great experience for any hunter with an adventurous heart. As one of the few places in the world, it’s possible for foreign hunters to hunt on public land without a guide. Obtaining a firearms license and a hunting permit is easy and can be applied for online at the department of conservation’s home page, or at a local police station or DOC office. Be advised that hunting on public land can be physically challenging, and if you don’t have the proper experience and preparation, it can also be quite dangerous. Hiring a local guide is an easy and recommendable option for foreign hunters who want to make the best of their time in New Zealand. Spending time with the locals and learning from the vast experience and skills of the Kiwis is often as much a part of the experience as the hunt itself. There is also the option of hunting on large private areas. Here, the physical challenge will often be be less grueling, but the hunt can still present a good challenge for hunters looking for a great experience in New Zealand.

Equipment used

External content

Long-rage shooting

Long range shooting is regarded as one of the most challenging forms of hunting. You have to consider different aspects like gravity, wind and velocity….

About driven hunts

Driven Hunt

Success factors and reliability

How did you find your way to hunting and what does hunting mean to you?My father is a passionate hunter, and I went hunting with him for the first time when I was five years old. He shot an elk on my first day – and I’ve been addicted ever since. From that point onwards, he took me hunting with him for elk, roe deer and hares on a regular basis, but as I got older he taught me how to hunt and shoot alone. Because he has his own shoot, I’ve always been able to hunt as much as I want. Growing up this way has made me thankful for what animals and nature can offer us. My father taught me that nature can be a huge resource for us if we treat it well. He also taught me how to respect animals and enjoy nature. I now have my own farm with my own hunting ground and can still hunt as much as I want. I’m also a teacher at a secondary school, which allows me to spend time outdoors with my pupils, bringing them closer to nature.

What are your special hunting experiences during driven hunts?When hunting in a different way – either in a new country or a different type of game – I have to be confident that my equipment is reliable. During a driven hunt I have to stay extra sharp, as this is not a common form of hunting in Norway and I’m delighted to have the ZEISS Victory V8 1.1-8X30 by my side. This is a steady and reliable scope for hunting when time is of the essence and it gives me the certainty I need.

Often the area is in the middle of the forest surrounded by lots of trees, resulting in predominantly short-range shooting. The animals also often move fast, and so a clear scope with low magnification is important as I need to see spot the animal quickly, but I also need to be able to see the whole animal to be sure of the surroundings. The V8 also has the red dot that makes me, as a huntress, more confident. With the red dot I know exactly where the bullet will hit when I pull the trigger, and it’s easier to remember the moment of the shot. The use of low magnification is also very helpful, due to it being easier to follow the animal from when the shot was taken until the animal is down.

On a driven hunt I try to envisage all the different possibilities of where the animals might appear, which is almost impossible, as they are not easy to predict.
ANETTE DAHL

On my latest driven hunt in Germany, I got a fantastic high seat location. I had an old road behind me, forest on both of my sides and a small open area in front of me. In the early morning I learned from a German hunter that the first twenty minutes of the hunt are the most exciting, because at that time the animals first start to move and everything could happen. I was standing in my high seat with the rifle in my hands, ready and waiting to see if anything was going to happen in the woods… and it did.

On the right side of me two wild boars came out of the forest. I saw them before I heard them due to the heavy rain, and I had to act fast if I wanted to have the chance of a shot, so I mounted the rifle. With a well-fitted rifle and with a crystal-clear scope I could spot the first boar easily and shoot within seconds. I could easily see that the shot was perfect and that the boar had hit the ground. I was then able to move over to the next boar and repeat the success. The perfect match between the seconds of spotting the animals, the fine adjustment of the red dot and the general reliability of the equipment was just perfect. I could not have been as successful without my reliable companion, the Victory V8 1,1-8X30. I have been very lucky during my driven hunts and have been able to bring home several wild boars: for me there is no doubt that confidence in the equipment is one of the key success factors.

Equipment Used

Wild Boar Hunting at Night

Night Hunting

Max Götzfried shares his experience about a lucky wild boar hunt in the Hessian Forest. And lucky he was!

Considering lawmakers, who seem to have a keen sense of male suffering, prohibit Sunday shopping trips and the ultimate punishment of a ‘visit to Ikea’, it’s surprisingly easy for me to get away and drive to the hunting ground, with pronouncements of “lovely weather today!” and “the dogs need a walk!” seeming to be all it takes. Early into a routine check of the first bait place in a meadow, my attention is drawn to a narrow footprint in a molehill – fallow deer? In fact, two further hills confirm it: at least one adult animal and a calf – a rarity in our little hunting ground. As the bait place has been attacked, I decide to venture a backache-inducing waiting game – and to sit it out until the morning. I would be more than able to capture each animal in the current crescent moon, optimally using my residual-light-intensifying ZEISS VICTORY 5.6 × 62 Night Vision and it would be even easier with the bright (without added auxiliary means) ZEISS V8 2.8–20 × 56, but there is one thing stopping me: the night-time hunting ban for fallow deer.

Only five meters from the feast does the fox begin to fear for its safety and sits down.
Max Götzfried

The chance of me setting eyes on one of those spotted friends during legal hours is low, but, as we all know, not shooting is also a missed opportunity. An hour before dusk, I move into position and wait for what should come along. Nothing appears for a long time other than two hares and three roe deer. The fallow deer has cleared the first hurdle; I can’t do anything else now – but there is movement… by way of a change, cunning Mr Fox is making no compromises and beeline’s straight to the bait place, meaning I hardly have time to bring my weapon gently into position.

Only five metres from the feast does the weak fox begin to fear for its safety and sits down inquisitively in front of me. There is no great skill involved in calmly setting the fine illuminated dot in the middle of the white chest. I assure myself once more with the night vision device that the robber is lying down and am about to lean back contentedly when I happen to notice something else scampering about.

The next fox approaches as if nothing has happened, also making a beeline to the bait and – synchronised swimmers couldn’t have done it any better – takes up position in the same way on the other side of the bait place. Really? I don’t stall for long; we have a small-game hunting ground … even number two is no big deal.

The night hunting ban still applies until the morning – but not to sows! Therefore, I decide to leave my stand hunting bag as a place warmer and to visit our suburban problem area first. I haven’t quite got out of the car yet when the night vision device almost slips out of my hand due to shock: about 150 metres in front of me, a proper chunk of a sow is conducting a thorough deworming of the wet meadow.

Ha! What’s going on today? I hardly need move, but I don’t like to shoot far in this area. Shoes off and proceed! I approach the sow carefully and nervously as she stands conspicuously, like an oil slick on a ski slope, in the short meadow with the city lights behind her. I’ve had her before me often in the past, but she either had small piglets in tow, was standing on the nearby railway tracks, broke calmly into the neighbouring hunting ground or had some other guardian angel watching over her.

What a lump! It can only be … Erna! The grande dame of urban sows!
Max Götzfried

Even if she’s a wild sow, she is my preferred pursuit – each year, she leads in a large number of new settlers who continually and brazenly populate the urban area. Just last week, I happened to see her cross a street a couple of hundred metres ahead with nine(!) young boars of almost a hundredweight, which, compared to her, looked like halflings. I look around, but Erna’s followers are nowhere to be seen.

In any case, since they are no longer dependent on her, I decide to seize the opportunity. But I have forgotten to turn the glass back down, meaning that, initially, Erna looks even more monstrous across the barely 20 metres’ distance. Because of the excitement, the fine illuminated dot dances about – barely any tracking in this problem area! I have to set it down again briefly. Then I deliberately aim at the shoulder blade to avoid her trying to escape. With an impressive strike of the bullet, the black locomotive slumps like a bag of flour.

With mixed feelings, I approach the old lady who, believe it or not, later turns out to weigh 103 kilos dressed. As I gaze somewhat sentimentally across her former territory, the queen’s entourage – the nine hundredweight sows – amble out of a gap between buildings a distance away, roused by the shot. They want to reach the safe haven of the railway embankment hedgerow. Quickly now! Pan! Pan! The second clearly reacts to the shot and falls back immediately, which sends the horde into complete disarray and has them fleeing in all directions.

Barely five metres ahead of me, a boar stops in its tracks to get its bearings – child’s play and 200 kilos of game in maybe two minutes. Today is a special evening indeed! Hours later, exhausted and sopping with sweat, I am arguing with myself at the hunting lodge – should I really have another go in the meadow? I have to go back to get my stuff at any rate!

I carelessly approach the pulpit, more plodding than prowling – another big black lump! The night vision device has me close to a heart attack: it’s not just anything standing in front of me, but an enormous fallow buck! I haven’t seen it’s like in this hunting ground before! And what’s far worse: I’m so tired and wobbly that he has long since noticed me. He gives himself the time to let my jaw drop audibly at his powerful frame and broad shoulders, and then he turns leisurely and walks pointedly away from me into the nearby wood.

He keeps stopping to turn and laugh at me. He is perfection. A one-off from a picture book – but it’s still night-time! I stare after him agog until he moves into the only small wood we have in our field hunting ground surrounded by state forest. Utterly perplexed by this extremely rare visit, I scramble onto the ladder and slump onto my sleeping bag. Not that I’m a big trophy hunter, but this fallow buck is impressive.

I have only ever seen such a strong stag one in over twenty years – and then this!
Max Götzfried

Suddenly, my face brightens just like the dawn that gradually surrounds me as if on command. What is the fallow buck even doing in this little wood? That’s no safe place for him! I have a tiny chance because to my left, there are 20 hectares of almost transparent timber forest – but to my right there are more than 1,000 hectares of state forest with masses of young beech trees. With the luck I’ve had so far, I want to give it a go. I feverishly observe the edge of the wood half in position. Behind our wood and to the right is a bare field. To the left is a marshalling yard – the fallow buck can only turn here and has to go past me somehow! I fumble the safety mechanism nervously, check the glass, continually eye the meadow… There! No. It’s a hare… There! Nope. That weed bush has been there all night. Or there? Slowly, a long way back, the merest suggestion of a movement into the meadow, then an expansive fallow buck – he’s realised his mistake! Like a statue, he checks the ground where he discovered me before.

He seems uncomfortable at the thought of having to pass by this place again now. How to stay calm? It’s certainly more than 200 metres to the fallow buck. No trifle for a ‘keen marksman’ like me. I switch to 20×, correct the BDC (ASV) – and wait for “the’ step”. But the statue stands still. And stands. And stands. What seems like an eternity that leaves me waiting desperately in position. Oh my word! The fallow buck is turning again; the stag is checking ahead – almost… my rival moves majestically into the open and checks in my direction once again. Now or never. The flight of the HIT projectile in .30-06 lasts what seems to be a lifetime, but it finds its target with a slap. The old fallow buck rears up one last time – and sinks into the meadow. I could never have repeated it – my hands are shaking too much. What a night! I have to pull myself together before I approach El Capo and take a look at his scarred body in awe. For the second time in such a short period, I am torn. An unusual guest – an abrupt visit. Only a little while later does the joy of the slay set in…

Equipment used

External content

Wild Boar Schnitzel

Wild boar can cause considerable damage to agriculture and forestry. Luckily, wild boar is lean and low in cholesterol and an excellent alternative to pork….

Up Close with Deer Stalker Jim Riley

Stalking

Head of the ZEISS Centre of Excellence

Having started life as a Gamekeeper I have always loved the countryside, and hunting has always been in my blood. However, it wasn’t until I started deer stalking that I realised where my true passion lied.

Since the very first time I stalked a deer I was hooked. Not just the hunting side of things, but the deer themselves, their habits, the way they moved. It fascinated me how they could just disappear without a trace in front of my very eyes!

Hunting has always been in my blood.
Jim Riley

As a recreational Stalker, I was very lucky as I could hunt 3-4 times a week due to the fact most of my friends were Gamekeepers who had little time for deer stalking. I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.

I then came to a crossroads in my life and had an unexpected opportunity to take on an estate that I knew well and I decided to have a change of life and pursue a different path. As a result, almost 10 years ago, DGVM (Deer, game and vermin management) was formed and the clients soon started to flow.

Then, after a chance call to ZEISS who were located near to me in Cambridge, I found myself as a ZEISS Pro Stalker – I had always loved their products anyway so it was hardly a difficult choice to make.

Once I started to stalk everything else took second place.
Jim Riley

Jim Riley: Behind The Rifle

Join ZEISS Pro Stalker Jim Riley for a wander around the ZEISS Centre of Excellence. Discover how Jim found his passion for hunting and why ZEISS optics are his first choice, every time!

Over time and through the many stalking clients I was taking out, along with the students who were attending training courses at my facilities, it became quite apparent that there were very little facilities that were similar where a potential client could go to actually try the products before they bought them. It was this eureka! moment where the idea of a Centre of Excellence was first born.

The concept was simple. Potential clients, regardless of whether they were my own or a referral from our extensive dealer network, would have the ability to actually come and shoot the scope they are interested in on an actual range (or out on a stalk) rather than simply reading about it online or seeing it in a glass cabinet. Furthermore, either they could purchase the scope at that time from myself on site, or purchase it from their dealer and head straight over to have the scope fitted to the rifle, zeroed on the range and ready to hunt that same evening!

As well as running the Centre of Excellence, I also travel around the UK accompanying ZEISS to various trade shows, including both the British and Northern Shooting Shows. I find this resonates well with the public as I have the advantage of first-hand hunting experience and knowledge on the subject, rather than just extensive product knowledge.

In addition to this, we have also hosted many of the product launch days, where both the Press and our Dealer network are able to put the new products through their paces on the range!

So, what’s my favorite product?
Jim Riley

For me I never stalk without my RF binoculars, I had the old model for many years, but have recently got had my hands on the new Victory Rangefinders that were launched earlier 2018. It has greatly improved, with noticeably better light transmission and less weight to carry. You can’t beat being able to accurately get the distance to the target, the client can’t argue with the facts and when I say it’s too far they have to agree as the ZEISS RF is never wrong!

Then for a scope, for me it boils down to two, either the V6 2.5-15×56 or the V8 4.5-35×60. I normally shoot with a Blaser, so the rail mount option of the Victory V8 is an absolute dream to mount and dismount, reducing the time and hassle of having to re-zero the rifle every time. The optical quality, light transmission and build quality put this scope at the top of my list.

Equipment used

Hunting with a Baying Dog

Stalking

Swedish Lapland: The Magic of the North

Hunter David Carsten Pedersen speaks about his impressions with the hunting guide Tommy and the baying dog Tiko in swedish Lapland. Tommy has been a guide in Lapland for many years, and is an expert in the ancient skill of hunting moose over baying dogs. The technique used by Scandinavian hunters since the first people came to Europe in the stone ages, has developed a bond between the hunter and the dog where the dog has become a trusted friend and hunting partner.

An owl was watching us from a tree this morning. When I see an owl I always find the moose.

After three intensive days the voice oft the barking dog rings out like a concert through the forest. Looking at Tommys GPS, we could see where the dog was barking happily. Somewhere in front of him, the moose had to be standing. Judging from the distance to the dog, we should be able to get to him, before the sun came down. In front of us lay a giant frozen bog, its surface a giant glassy hockey rink. We started to run, keeping our center of gravity low, and our eyes fixed on the sound of that dog in the distance.

People in Lapland have a strong bond with nature. The deep dark sound of a circling raven, made me look up just as we entered the tree line. It seemed to be following us. “A good sign,” I noted to Tommy. “I also got a good signals from the birds.” “An owl was watching us from a tree this morning. When I see an owl I almost always find the moose.” In northern Lapland it’s easy to get a bit superstitious. People up here still have a strong bond with nature.

The moose can’t be far away anymore. With the sky already turning pink this was no time to scorn a good omen. We needed all the help we could get, to crown our hunt for the moose with success. Keeping our bodies completely still, we waited for the sound to come back. The distance to the dog couldn’t be far. The only way to get closer to the moose was to use the sounds of the dogs bark to mask our footsteps in the crunchy, boggy, undergrowth. But the sounds had stopped. “Be ready. He might push them out towards us,” whispered Tommy. Dialing down my VICTORY V8 Driven Hunt riflescope from ZEISS to get the largest possible field of view, I started to prepare myself for that moment where the moose might break.

Suddenly the dog came out of the clearing, running towards us at a steady pace. At first my heart dropped. Why did he loose the moose now? But then I understood. Tiko hadn’t lost it. He just came back to see if we were in position. Soon the barking started again. Something big was coming our way. This was going to be a one shot opportunity.

A perfect hunt.
On the edge of the river, lay the body of a big moose calf. This was the goal we had worked so hard toward. A physical manifestation of the connection between the hunter, the dog, the animals, and a community that relies heavily on our hunt skills to bring home the meat.

“This was a perfect hunt,” Tommy exclaimed. “The meat of the calf is beautiful, and you didn’t hesitate when you had the chance.” Overwhelmed by the compliments of my otherwise stoic hunting partner, I lifted my coffee mug, toasting him, the moose and the dog with the Scandinavian: “Skål.”

In the dying light of the sunset, a raven suddenly came flying out of the forest. Behind it, a small owl following close by. None of us said anything. We just smiled. In Lapland you have to be prepared for anything. Even those things you can’t always explain.

External content

Hunting with Baying Dogs

Impressions by ZEISS Ambassador David Carsten Pedersen What was it like to work with a baying dog? Working with a baying dog is quite different than hunting with any other dog. We have p…

A Hunting Adventure in Canada

Stalking

The Right Preparation goes Hand in Hand with Extensive Training

For ZEISS Pro Hunter David Carsten Pedersen this dream came true when he went to British Columbia, a province located on the west coast of Canada. “I want to go where I’ve never been, see beyond the horizon and learn as much from nature as it’s willing to show.” In a campfire interview the ZEISS athlete reports on his fascinating trip, about the perfect equipment package for an adventure like this and how to turn your hunting trip into an unforgettable, once in a lifetime experience.

In-Depth Preparation and Planning

A hunt like this, in the backcountry of British Columbia, requires in-depth preparation and planning. Before getting started, you have to think strictly about every little aspect of the journey. What goes in your backpack? What is absolutely essential and what may be expendable? You have to think about weight and about necessities. The right equipment is of the greatest importance, because the whole trip stands and falls with it. The clothing, the rifle, the binoculars, the scope – everything needs to work flawlessly and in all weather conditions. Don’t let sunshine, rain, snow or mist determine your success or failure.

Extensive Training

The right preparation goes hand in hand with . The hunter has to train with the rifle, train with the scope and train at any distance imaginable. For David, this is a really important aspect. “Also train on distances that are that far that you think – OK – this is out of my comfort zone. Because once you’re here, and the chance appears, you don’t want any doubt. You want to know: I can make that shot and I’m going to make that shot.”

Enjoy the Beauty of the Mountains

The most important thing on a wilderness hunt is enjoying it. Enjoy the beauty of the mountains, the freshness of the air and the sounds and smells of nature in its wildest form. Even the smallest things can turn your trip into a valuable memory. Just be open-minded and notice the details of your adventure: the frost that sparkles in the sunshine, a bird you’ve never seen before, the silence and purity of nature. Besides all this, don’t expect everything to be easy, because the tough conditions and the challenges of the wilderness will push you to the limits of your capacity. But exactly that will keep you going and make you even more determined. “Your mind grows higher, your thoughts drift and you become part of your surroundings. But you have to keep your focus, train your eyes and your mind to keep sharp and look for that one crucial detail that determines all the rest.”

A Wilderness Hunt demands Reliable and Functional Equipment

On his hunting adventure David tested the ZEISS VICTORY SF binoculars and the ZEISS VICTORY V8 1.8-14×50 riflescope. A wilderness hunt demands reliable and functional equipment and the ZEISS premium products fit the hunter’s needs perfectly. “A good pair of binoculars can make the difference between seeing the animal or losing the animal”. On a trip like this, it is important that they are light, fast, easy to use and have a wide field of view. Therefore, the ZEISS VICTORY SF binoculars are absolutely the right choice. They deliver high-contrast, bright images that allow you to see even the finest details in poor light. With a maximum of wearing comfort they are the optimal products for those extra-challenging hunts in tough conditions. David feels totally certain “I can trust them a hundred percent. Even in bad rain and snow, they performed very, very well”.

The Victory V8 is the Ideal Companion in any Situation

The VICTORY V8 1.8-14×50 riflescope also helps David to achieve his goals. Especially the 1.8 magnification enables fast and reliable targeting and quick shots on running game, at short distances as well as at long distances. On a wilderness hunt, the conditions can change in a matter of seconds and you have to be prepared for everything. As a compact all-rounder, the VICTORY V8 is the ideal companion in any situation. No riflescope has ever been this flexible and versatile. The V8 provides an extremely wide range of possible uses and maximum accuracy at any distance. David is obviously impressed: “It’s really amazing to have so many options and so many opportunities in just one package!”

For David Carsten Pedersen, the wilderness hunt in British Columbia was a great adventure and definitely a once in a lifetime experience. “You never know if you’re going to succeed, or maybe you do – because hunting is not about the end, it’s about the moments you experience while you search for other things. It’s about the small things in the big picture and the details in the great story, because in reality, it’s not the goal but the journey that shapes us”.

Equipment used

Both Eyes Wide Open

Driven Hunt

Perfect Driven Hunt Optics

If you ask German hunters what their favorite type of hunting is, most of them will surely answer that it’s the driven hunt. In this exciting form of hunting you work together with others in a group, supported by beaters and dogs. You have to be constantly on alert as you are an important part of the team. Because of this, taking part in an organized drive can be one of the most exciting ways to hunt.

Keeping both eyes open while aiming during a driven hunt is key. It enhances depth perception and maintains a wider field of view, allowing you to detect movement and stay aware of your surroundings. Additionally, you remain better connected to the dynamic environment, essential for reacting swiftly to fast-moving game, which can be critical in ensuring a successful and ethical shot as well as the safety of your fellow hunters.

Rapid Target Acquisition

Fast target acquisition is essential in driven hunts where quick reactions are crucial. The ZEISS V8 1.1-8×24 riflescope offers a large eyebox and low magnification for easy and rapid target identification. This allows you to maintain a wide field of view and use both eyes while aiming, ensuring faster target engagement. These features significantly improve success rates in fast-paced hunting scenarios where split-second decisions make a difference.

The ZEISS V8 1.1–8×24, is considered the most versatile driven hunt riflescope in the entire ZEISS product line. It enables fast and reliable targeting with both eyes open and allows you to fire accurate shots over long distances, as well as quick shots at short distances.

Unusually Large Field of View

In practical tests, the V8 1.1-8×24 impresses all along the line. Flexibility and speed are the keywords: the 8x magnification plus the 10 mm exit pupil ensure extremely fast aiming whilst the high level of light transmission provides bright, high-contrast images. Moreover, the unusually large field of view enables you to keep the surrounding area in view at all times – a very important issue in the driven hunt, because minimizing the danger to beaters and fellow huntsmen is crucial.

Extra Large Eyebox

A large eyebox offers more flexibility in head positioning, ensuring quicker target acquisition and clear sight alignment without straining the eyes. This is particularly important in dynamic hunting situations where unpredictable angles are common.

Learn more: The right eye relief