Who uses binoculars for hunting?

[Furync]

a simpler question would be who doesnt use binocs while hunting?

I don't use binocs. The simple reason is that I hunt in the thick stuff. I mean the land where I hunt is mostly thick/dense woods, when you see game, it's right in your face. The longest shot I took on a deer was about 60-70 yards.

 

[Silverado]

I have a set of Bushnell Legend's in 8X42 that I've been very happy with, but I somehow scratched the #### out of one of the objective lenses, so it'll be a new pair next year I guess.

 

[308BAR]

I use Minox HG and love them.

 

[manitou210]

I have used binoculars for years hunting mostly cheeper Bushnells and Nikon's 10 by 50, I had to send Nikons back for repair twice always calibration problems. I bought a pair of Minox's 12 by 52mm very fine binoculars and extreemly good at low light, but a little hard to hold steady.
I met a fellow at range who had a pair of new Leica 10 by 50s ultavids and happen to have my minox's in car and compared them. he agreeded that for the price differance of almost $1500 the minox's where outstanding quality.
Mind you the Leica's where sharper but not by a large amount, and they are probably better in low light.

 

[Shelldrake]

I use a pair of Stiener 8x30 military/marine. They are light, bright and pack well. Binos are even of benifit in the thick stuff for looking through the bush and leaves.

 

[david doyle]

I hunt in tight deep Timber most of the time so no real need for BInoc's

don't use binocs. The simple reason is that I hunt in the thick stuff

Guys binos are even more important in thick bush!!!! Seriously I would never still hunt even the thickest bush with out binos. open sights sure but with out binos you are only going to see a tiny fraction of the deer legs, ears, tails, etc that you will pic up at under 100yds with binos. Especially in low light you can't see a deer in willows at 50 yards but put up the binos and there he is.

I use a pair of 7x50 minoltas.

 

[leslea_kate]

I have only bad luck with binos... I have a mild astigmatism & while I see REALLY well normally, my eyes go all wonky with binoculars. I like a good monocular or even using a rangefinder as a monocular. I used to use a scope, sans rifle (the reticle was screwed, but the rest of the optics were just fine on the ol 3-9X40) so it made a passable telescope... Bit heavy around the neck though.

Whenever someone hands me binocs now, I just use em with one eye to avoid the problems the astigmatism causes.

L

 

[iconel]

I've been primarily using two pairs of military surplus binoculars: Carl Zeiss Jena EDF 7x40 - built in former East Germany. Great optics, rugged as heck and fairly cheap compared to new Zeiss or Leica glass. They look like these:

If weight is a consideration, I've found these military surplus Swiss Leica 8x30's have been excellent. Bright, light, great optics and affordable.

Although these older bino's don't have the cutting edge coatings of modern optics, they are well built and the glass is top quality. Something to consider if budget is a consideration.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I use Pentax 10x43 DCF SP. I wouldn't go into the bush without them.

 

[MD]

Essential.

I used 7x35 binoculars for years, then Zeiss 8x20s and got an older set of 8x40 B&Ls and they are great.

We use them for waterfowling too to spot incoming birds.

 

[t-star]

I have a set of Bushnell Legend's in 8X42 that I've been very happy with, but I somehow scratched the s**t out of one of the objective lenses, so it'll be a new pair next year I guess.

first thing i'd do is try bushnell's customer service - they might be able to do something for you- it's on their website- same for rifle scopes- i'm not promising anything, but it's been my experience that for 15 bucks they replace bad things-and objectives are easy to replace

 

[Danny Boy]

I have three sets of binoculars:
8x42 Steiner
8x32 Brunton
8x25 Bushnell
plus Leica range finder (7X)

For hunting in Ontario I use mainly the 32 and 25 mm and/or the 7X range finder. The 42mm is more suitable in the open country. One key consideration is the weight of my equipment. I wouldn't want to have a heavy pair of bino all day long around my neck tracking animals.

However, if you glass for a good part of the day, you should use 42mm bino as they are a lot easier on your eyes.

 

[Demonical]

I have missed animals cuz I was ####ing around trying to glass them. I can never remember a situation when using the bino's got me an animal... but I do remember one situation when I shoulda used them, and might have seen a big whitetail buck that was standing in the shadows of big poplars.
In the big bush here in central Alberta, I can't say that bino's are absolutely necessary, but they can help you if you use 'em properly.

The one area that I think they are seriously useful is out on the bald-ass prairie like south eastern Alberta or Saskatchewan. It's just amazing the deer that you will see when you start glassing the prairie.

I carry bino's in my vehicle and usually on me when I'm in the bush.

I've got Bushnell Trophy 8X32 and 10x42 and a Bushnell Legend that are 12X50.

 

[gitrdun]

I wouldn't dream of going afield without binocs. I currently use Bushnell H2O's. Due to the fact that I've lost binocs rather than damaged them, I use cheaper ones, you just can't get warranty on lost equipment I certainly have no problem with people who don't carry binocs, just as long as I don't get scoped by one of the binoc-less hunters.

 

[Republic of Alberta]

I have missed animals cuz I was f**king around trying to glass them..

Oh geeze ain't that the truth, it has happened to me too. I have also seen it happen to me and others with, scope knobs, range finders (it's 100 yards just shoot already), sandwiches, coffee, smokes, gloves, bi pods, slings etc..

I did get a nice bear and a few deer directly due to bino's and they have helped me see if deer were shooters/not shooters, bucks or does.


Not using bino's screwed me up once, I shot a "doe" sanding against a back drop of spindly poplar and Alders. Turned out it was a small buck just big enough to be legally a buck (over 4") it's horns were not visible against the background. It was only 70 yards away but I could not see those antlers with my scope on 4x. Lucky I still had my buck tag ma bey that I is why I wasn't really careful. Latter that year I had to PAINFULY SIT AND WATCH MY HUNTING BUDDY MISS A HUGE BUCK STANDING IN THE WIDE OPEN. If I still had my tag I could have dropped that deer 4 times before he even got his rifle up. Really painful I tells ya.

 

[Brutus]

I never big game hunt without them. Beleive it or not, I use Tasco 10x50s.
But these are the older Japanese made version, from the EXP series of optics.
Now they are made in China or South Korea, this would not be a choice of mine.
If I did not have these, I would prefer 8x56 Swarovski first, if I could afford them, and Nikon Monarch 10x50s second.

 

[the_big_mike]

i have a pair of celestrons i brought hunting this year..

definitely worth it, imo.. but it all really depends on where you hunt.

 

[Kev]

I use zeiss 7x40 religiously.

 

[bcsteve]

I use Pentax 10x43 DCF SP. I wouldn't go into the bush without them.

They're great, I use a pair of 8x43 DCF SP.

 

[WCTHEMI]

I bought a pair of winchesters last year, very happy with them. Glass is a must for any hunter.