Binocular use while hunting

[ozy clint]

i feel naked without my binos!

[wapitimike1]

G Fred is spot on, bino's for hunting make a big difference.
For that type of hunting Minox 6X30 fixed are very good for skanning.
GreyWolf hunting cloths will put on a bino pocket anyplace on your jacket or pants you like. This way there's no chance of catching it upon release. I can't use bino buddy's for that reason.

[Irish Archer]

Aside from the ability to evaluate the important things(deer), I just like to check out the not so important things like squirrels, birds, and chipmunks.

It helps me pass time when the deer activity is slow and I enjoy seeing everything else.

[Bonecracker]

Swaros 8 X 30! As the saying goes, never leave home without them!!

[George Metz]

Using binos changed my hunting forever! The ability to focus through the various layers of underbrush and foliage is indispensable. Regularly spot deer bedded before I get busted. Still little chance of getting a shot but more exciting than seeing just a white flag running away.

[Irish Archer]

And for anyone interested, these 7x26 Bushnell Elite Compacts are really nice glass for the price(around 275.00).

Until I bought a pair, I didn't believe that you could get this much quality for the price.

They are not Leica or Swarovski, but they don't cost as much either. If you NEED 10 power, or 40mm objectives, these aren't the ones for ya', but they're great for their intended market.


 

[Encino Man]

A buddy and I were sitting in a elevated box blind surveying the terrain with binos. He with his nice 8 X 40 Swarovski's and me with my compact 10 X 25 Bushnell's. Just as the shooting light was fading he pointed out a nice buck cutting in front of us at about 50 yards. "Where. I don't see anything" I looked several times and nothing. He said "look through these" Wow, what a difference. That sucker was a plane as can be. I decided then that my next big purchase was going to be a quality set of binoculars.

I still have my Bushnell's but my go to glass is my Stiener 8 X 30 Predators. I always carry binos into the field. They're great for window shopping when the light is too low to shoot.

[PAPA BEAR]

i have a set of nikons that rarely come out of the case,only use them to look over large open areas.not real sure why i even carry them most of the time.

[GREASEMAN]

If I'm in the Stand I use them only when I have to,as I feel I move to much if I use them to often.I've gotten busted by Deer that I was unaware were close and they caught my movement.

[Ryan Rothhaar]

2X on Irish Archer's post...those are the same glass I use (mine are a bit older model).  Check the New York camera outlets as well and sometimes you can get a real deal on'em.

R

[joevan125]

I hardly use mine down here in the south becouse its so thick the deer can be on you in a sec.

[JL]

Wow! I am suprised by the range of anwsers to this question. I have several sets of glasses and all of them are quality optical performers. I use my glasses for so many things while outdoors, I would feel naked without a set on me. They are a must for stump shooting also. Get yourself a quality set of glasses and a bino-harness system (best way to tote glasses around, in my opinion).

I currently own/use Eagle Optics Ranger Platinum series 6x32, Minolta 8x42D and will be adding a set of Burris Euro Diamond 10x42's here shortly. Think that will cover just about any bino glassing needs I will have. If I need some heavyweight optics, I'll deploy the Cabelas Pro series spotting scope.

[PAPA BEAR]

i will add though that binocs are a very important tool for birdwatchers and such.   ....seriously i realize the importance of binocs and all for certain types of hunting,the type of hunting i do which is pretty much just elk and they hopefully are coming to me so hence no need for them other than to look over large areas for mulies and such.but in general they are critical to most hunting scenarios....

[Mike Bolin]

Took me awhile to figure out that I did need to use binos.......especially in the thick stuff! G Fred gave a seminar at Cloverdale years ago and mentioned bino use.  We talked about it after the seminar and he urged me to spend time in the stand disecting the cover around me with the glasses. I started not only seeing more deer in my hunting area(s), but killing more deer as well. By really looking the cover over, I started seeing deer sooner, rather than later and was able to prepare myself for a shot. I am convinced that I was spooking deer that I didn't even know were around. I've got two pair of Leupold's- Katmai(sp) 6x32 and Wind River 8x40. Don't leave home without 'em! Mike

[Sean B]

I've had a few pairs of compact bino's, but the best I have for the money are a pair of Nikon Travelite V 10x25 5 degree.  Nice and compact and clear as a bell. I've had $15 pair, and they actually hurt my eyes.

[muley40]

I wouldn`t think about going hunting without my binoculars, I use a pair of Burris 10X32 when I go elk hunting I use binocular harness, but when I hunt out of a tree stand I just hang them on a peg,