Here in Tennessee we have some pretty thick woods too. I have some Leupold Gold Ring 10x42's and love them! I would prefer them to the 8x42, but it is all up to you. I have looked through some other 10x binos and had trouble holding them steady, but don't have this problem at all with these. Got a great deal on them through Cabelas...paid $579 total after a $100 mail-in rebate!