How much do you bowhunters use your binocs?

[Toby]

I have received some good advice about what binocs to get and how to carry them. Now, I am curious about how much you actually use them. I typically run and gun, usually stay out of open country, but have a lot of it around where I hunt. I usually don't use mine much, but have the feeling I am missing out on some opportunities.

[Huntrgathr]

More than any other piece of equipment I own. The better the glass you buy, the more you use it, the more animals you'll see. You're missing probably 80% of the game if you're not glassing methodically. My advice, Get the 10x Vipers and read up in proper grassing technique. You'll be blown away by how much more game you're seeing...

[Swede]

I agree with huntrathr except I would go with the 8X for your hunting. Binoculars and run and gun hunting go together. As a tree stand hunter, I use them more sporadically. I usually have them to just check things out.

[rowdycwby1]

I use mine quite abit even if im in thick stuff you can glass ahead or around you to catch a leg or body hiding in cover. I've done this and seen deer laying down or hiding waiting for you to go by them.

[>>>---WW---->]

How much do I use them? The simple answer is "LOTS"! I wouldn't go elk hunting without them.

For elk hunting, 10x42 is the clear choice of the majority of elk hunters. I've seen several polls on this and the 10x42s always win out.

But if you happen to be a whitetail hunter also in the thick timber, probably a good set of 8x42s would be better suited for you. You can still use them for elk. but you'll probably spent 3 times more in the deer woods than in elk country.

[Washington Wapiti]

I've been bino-less for a year or so and it has been a bummer, but I've gotten by . . . with my rangefinder. LOL, not exactly the same thing.
Before that I used them a ton for everything from turkey to elk, to target practice to birdwatching. As already mentioned, even in the thick stuff they are very useful. They can make details pop from the surrounding vegetation that probably wouldn't be obvious to the naked eye. Get in the habit of glassing around the understory. You'll be glad you pulled them out of your pack.

[Indian Summer]

All the time! Whether in the open or timber. Everyone, myself included, will talk about how valuable binos are in open country. But that's for locating elk. What is the number one thing you try to avoid in cover? Getting BUSTED! Any good still hunter (I know one ) will tell you: Never take the next step until you have looked ahead and made darn sure there's not an eyeball looking through a hole in the cover. When I talk about still hunting I always say this: Lead with your binos. Without them it's crazy to expect to see elk before they see you. I use my binos all day every day in every hunting condition.

Like someone above said... the better binoculars you have the more likely you'll be to use them. The old saying "buy the best you can afford" is especially true with any optics, binos & spotting scopes. A crappy spotting scope usually ends up staying in the truck. Crappy binos in the tent or hanging around your neck all day. Next to a good dog good binos are a man's best friend!

[G Posik]

I find I use mine more in the thick cover. I have 8x42's and they are great for scanning the thigh stuff. You really catch any movement when scanning. I have hunted without them one year and did not like it. So to answer your question I use mine a lot.

Glenn

[Buglemaster]

I use mine constantly. Whether I'm in the timber or out in the open. 10/42 diamondbacks are a terrific optic at an affordable price. I forgot my quiver once, but never my binocs. I will second what was mentioned above. Buy the best you can afford.

[Toby]

This is all great advice and I really appreciate it I need to change my hunting style a little and get behind those binocs a little more frequently.

[bnsafe]

guess im going against the grain on this one, but where I hunt I rarely use them. so much that I started leaving them in the truck. I have a pair of pentax dcf 10x42 an they are just to heavy. next year I will either be carrying a much lighter pair, a quality compact pair in 8x32, or none at all. at this point im leaning towards looking at a lighter pair of full sized ones, but havnt done a lot of research into the compact yet.

[rowdycwby1]

Another thing with binos get a harness system f of some type that will help out alot to keep the weight of your neck so even if you have a heavier set its more comfortable to carry. I use Leopold Acadias 10x42 there pretty light great eye relief that also a big factor how much your going to use them the better the eye relief the better for extended time glossing.

[Indian Summer]

Rowdy... like I mentioned somewhere.... check out the bino pouch at our sponsor, Alaska Guide Creations. Top of the line!

[rowdycwby1]

Thanks Indian for the suggestion those would be great! I currently use a system from crooked horns I've hadd about for tye past 5 yrs loojs like im going to up grade to those.

[Bowhunter]

I wouldn't go hunting without them. I use mine a lot. I can't see well at distances anymore. I am always bringing my Leopuld Casacade 10x42s up to check things out. Having them handy on a harness is the only way to go for me.

[elkaholic]

I use my binos/spotter continuously. And I mean a lot. The country I hunt is wide open with animals few and far between. Last year my partner and I glassed the bull he killed at 4.5 miles away. Like many have said quality of glass makes a huge difference. Last year I invested in a Viper combination of binos and spotter from Paul and it was so worth it.

[twinkieman]

Never leave home without them, they are as vital to me as my bow, or my calls. I've located lots of elk from a distance with my binos, and then closed the distance and then used my calls. My binos are more a part of my hunting equipment than my rangefinder. In tight timber I use them as well, glassing ahead of my intended path many times picking out a leg, or an ear. The short answer is I use them all the time.

[ishy]

Hardly ever carry hunting in North Idahos jungle, but reallly should. Every off season I tell myself next year I'll carry them everywhere. I do carry a small camcorder that has a 40x optical zoom, but that's really only helpful after you've spotted something.

[wawhitey]

you know, as much as i know its a mistake, i always leave my binos at home. the stuff i hunt in, i figure binos are extra weight. i trust my bare eyes to see animals out to a few hundred yards, as long as theyre moving anyway... and i tend not to hunt stuff where you can see further than that. im sure id see more critters, and have improved success, if i packed my binos religiously. but i dont. maybe that should be my new years resolution. but hey, i cant be the only guy who constantly does things wrong, and KNOWS hes doing them wrong, out of pure stubbornness.... can i?

[WapitiTalk1]

Hardly ever carry hunting in North Idahos jungle, but reallly should. Every off season I tell myself next year I'll carry them everywhere. I do carry a small camcorder that has a 40x optical zoom, but that's really only helpful after you've spotted something.

I also find myself leaving my binos behind sometimes in the N Idaho alder. I will say that there certainly are occasions where they have picked out an antler tip on an adjacent hillside during bedding hours.

[Ridgernr]

Hardly ever carry hunting in North Idahos jungle, but reallly should. Every off season I tell myself next year I'll carry them everywhere. I do carry a small camcorder that has a 40x optical zoom, but that's really only helpful after you've spotted something.

I also find myself leaving my binos behind sometimes in the N Idaho alder. I will say that there certainly are occasions where they have picked out an antler tip on an adjacent hillside during bedding hours.

This again is why I have not been carrying binos, But this year I will be carrying my new diamondbacks they are very compact and great glass
so there is no reason not to have them along.

[timberland]

I'm a vortex follower but just purchased a 10x acadia for my wife that will probably end up with me. One thing to add is I use mine to formulate a game plan whether its for a stalk or a route that me above or below a target. I found my binos keep me busy in the stand when i would be bored, so they keep me in the stand longer.

[Indian Summer]

Barry that is such a GREAT point! Binos in a treestand open up a whole new world. Like you said... there's no question they will help you to stay put longer.

Wawhitey: " i trust my bare eyes to see animals out to a few hundred yards, as long as theyre moving anyway'

True, but I bet alot of times they are moving where? Away from you and in a hurry! You're point is a good one though... a bedded or stationary animal is 100 times harder to see than a moving one. Those are the ones than can end a stalk. Without binos when you're still hunting I think you are sure doing things the hard way. Using them is really a big step in stacking the odds in your favor. I'd like to have a pair that permanently mounted in front of my face like the viewers air force fighter pilots wear. Man that would be deadly!