Who doesn't use Bino's?

[BAK]

Another thread got me to thinking.  I've never carried or felt the need to carry binoculars while hunting.  Maybe it's just a function of being restricted to hunting white tails, turkey,  and black bear.  Have killed a couple of antelope but don't focus on them.  Just more weight I don't seem to need.  Anybody else?   

[TooManyHobbies]

I don't. There are times they would be handy, but I carry enough and my big 10x40 would just be in the way.

[Pine]

I don't, find any need for them and I can't see through them anyway.

[Bisch]

The only time I use them is if I go in a hunt where I am apt to see animals a long ways off, like pronghorn, or elk maybe. I rarely take them for hunting whitetails or pigs, or anything else where I’m sitting in a blind and I can only see 20-30yds anyway.

Bisch


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[old_goat2]

I use them so little I might as well not have them with me, but I also have very very good eye sight, and usually when I pull them out, it's to confirm or deny what I'm seeing with my eyes is an animal. That's mainly elk hunting, I take a monocular hunting whitetails and usually can't see far enough to need it!

[mgf]

Most of my hunting is, and has been, in the woods so I use them mostly for looking through cover. Lots of things that look like a log or a tree knot with the naked eye is a deer;s back or nose when seen through optics. Comes in handy when still hunting.

That said I don't use them much any more. I bought the pair I have long before I needed eye glasses. The eye relief is way too short so I can't use them very well unless I take my glasses off. What a monster pain in the backside that is when you're carrying a bow and bundled up in a warm hat.

The longer eye relief models are pretty expensive so I haven't wanted to spring for them.

[Phillip Fields]

I don't when archery hunting for whitetails/pigs. I set up in close cover and feel the extra movement is more apt to spook the game. If  hunting out west where I need to spot the game at long range and then work my way in, I use my binoculars.

[northener]

Guess one would classify me as a minimalist, less is more, type person. That is what attracted me to traditional archery, and still does. So no I do not carry or use binocs while hunting. Another big reason, I wear glasses and removing them so I can actually see through the binocs is way to much movement.

 I can certainly see the need in big open country if spot and stalk is the preferred approach to getting stickbow close.

[Terry Lightle]

Me

[dnovo]

I do  carry binos on every hunt. They’ve come in very handy so many times I feel naked without them. I have recovered deer I would have had trouble finding because of them and I can look into the brush to pick out that movement and tell if it’s a bird or a deer. Always carry them. Swarovski 8x30

[Overspined]

I typically haven’t, but with antler restrictions in place I find myself using them to make sure a doe is a doe and not a lil spike. In low light it’s just too hard to see spikes and little antlers. I began using compacts, especially for stalking but now I’ve been moving back toward the relatively PIA 10x42. Just heavy but so much better optics.

[Sam McMichael]

They tend to get in my way. The stands that I hunt from are all set up for close shots, so binos just aren't particularly useful.

[Dave Lay]

Same as DNVO, I also use Swaro 8x30 I’ve had for 20 years. I use them a lot and they are handy for checking antlers in antler restricted areas while they are still at a distance or checking for buttons on does.. on recovery situations they are great for checking what might be discarded as a log when it’s the back of a downed deer they don’t always fall with the white belly showing in your direction . I use a ricks outdoors ultra lite harness and don’t even know they are there most of the time

[Orion]

I agree with Dnovo.  I'd feel naked without my binos (8x32 Leicas). They're always on a strap around my neck, whatever I'm hunting, wherever I go. They help pick out critters in thick cover, even at fairly close range.  I find I use them more in thick cover, close in than I do in wide open areas, spotting, for example.

I've worn glasses a long time and have no trouble using binos with them. Just have to buy glass with proper eye relief. I would have missed out on seeing a lot of critters over the years had I not had my binos. Of course, I don't always get shots at them, but without my binos, I wouldn't have even known they were there, or spooked them long before I came within range.     

[Wudstix]

I have a couple compact sized binos I use for spot and stalk on pigs.  Good to know if that log at fifty yards has hair on it of not, before I bust it out.  One 6x30 Leopold Yosemite gets that most use.
           

[frassettor]

I don’t use them.

[Trenton G.]

I didn't until a few years ago, and I don't know why I didn't start sooner. It makes it so much easier to identify things at longer distances that look like deer, or have potential to be a deer. I also love them for still hunting. I can scan much more effectively. The weight doesn't bother me. I don't even really notice that they're there.

[Walt Francis]

When I first started hunting I didn’t think the extra weight and bulk were worth carrying them. Now, after using them for 30 years, not using binoculars doesn’t make sense when hunting; You miss too much and waste too much energy and time.

Like Donovan, Dave Lay, and Onion, I feel naked without them.  I used the Swarovski. 8x30’s for years then bought a set of 10x25 Leica’s around 10 years ago for elk hunting because of compact size (they fit in a shirt pocket) and weight.  Started using them when hunting whitetails and ended up selling the Swarovski’s because I didn’t use them anymore.  Still carry a set of mid priced 10x’40-50’s in all my vehicles but my hunting setup in the field always has the 10x25’s.  Back east the 8x25 compacts might be better option.  If I am going to be glassing for extended amounts of time I pack and use full size glass.

[Cory Mattson]

I ALWAYS carry binoculars on me and I ALWAYS use them - bow hunting - scouting - duck hunting - turkey hunting - even bears on baits - any time I am outdoors. The reasons are endless - and I cannot think of a single reason not to have them on me and ready.

And for you guys in super thick cover - yeah I hunt super thick cover - and I always identify buttons immediately BEFORE shooting - and I usually have my arrow located - studied - and first blood located BEFORE getting down after a shot.

[Wudstix]

ID of buttons is a very good reason when hunting in areas with severe restrictions and a button is your buck for the year!!! Looking for sheds binos save a bunch of walking.  And again that log at 45-50 yards that explodes out at 30 is another good reason to use them during hog hunts.