Belgian hunter, Stefaan Rotthier,
tells us how switching from one Z8i to the dedicated driven hunt version truly made a difference.
Around the world, the history of humanity is connected to hunting. Throughout the ages, every continent or even country has developed its own hunting culture with special methods, insights, local influences, and unique results. For us, in Belgium, driven hunting has always been the most popular hunting method to bring friends and family together as well as to cherish what nature has to offer.
Driven (to) hunt
I was introduced to hunting at a young age. My father took me with him, just like his father had taken him. Driven hunting is in our blood. From the beginning of October until the end of December we are out every weekend.
When we talk about the act of hunting during these driven hunts, I think most people would agree that the hunter needs to have two things in order:
1. First of all, he has to develop a certain skill set covering response speed and accuracy. To place a perfect shot, one needs to train as much as possible – not only during the hunting season. Training on the shooting range and shooting simulator is necessary to hone these skills, so that they are kept on a good level.
2. Secondly, the hunter has to make sure that his firearm and rifle scope are in good condition and well adjusted. Everybody has their own ideas and feelings about their firearm and scope of choice depending on their experience.
SWAROVSKI OPTIK – a family tradition
In my case, I have been choosing SWAROVSKI OPTIK from the beginning. My grandfather had it, my father has it and I learned to hunt with it. A family tradition, one could say. However, it’s not only a brand that gives me a good feeling because it represents hunting in the way that I see it myself. Its quality is just outstanding, unmatched by any other brand, in my eyes.
My first experience with the Z8i 0.75-6x20
That day the sun was out, temperatures were still high, and the wind brought a soothing feeling. Wild boars were everywhere. Like always we had to pull our stand number and find our way to the assigned position. Hunting horns in the background and dogs getting excited to get out of their trailer. As a shooter you get a type of positive stress, the anticipation of the potential boars to come.
An intense feeling typical for driven hunts, certainly heightened when the horns announce the beginning of the drive of your section. It can get quiet sometimes, but only until the dogs find the first boar.
Z8i 0.75-6x20
VIEWPLUS
I shoulder my rifle and bring the scope to my eyes. With the 30% larger field of view, I see more than I have ever seen before. I am totally aware of everything that is happening in front of me while looking through the scope. The wide, crystal-clear view together with the new D-I reticle gives me the opportunity to be accurate very quickly on this fast-moving wild boar.
