Bowhunters & Binos
 

I've noticed on this site as well as others that many bowhunters say they rely on their optics to successfully hunt or locate elk. My question is why?? Now unless you're trophy hunting in an LE UNIT why is it you place so much importance in a heavy object around your neck! Ruling out road hunting of course! :D

The reason it strikes me as odd and to question ones motives is I or the different hunting partners in our camp do not use them. Yet we harvest more than our share of elk everyear. Sure we have areas we can see elk a half mile away or several hundred yards away at a time, but many areas are heavily timbered and vision is very limited. We've found that the use of "blind setups" when elk aren't vocal are awesome. We've also found that when elk are vocal the use of calls are unbeatable along with strategic methods.

Now how many bowhunters here can attribute a harvested elk by the use of binos? In most cases you can tell the size and maturity of a bull by his sound, within reason of course. Now I can see the use of good optics by rifle hunters of course, but I question their use and annoyance for bowhunters! Not trying to cause a debate, but I fail to see the real necessity here.

Please enlighten me!!! Thanks--ElkNut1

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I don't use bino's but will use my range finder(4x) on occasion to glass the alpine on the other side of the drainage. Mobility is the key to elk hunting. Even my bow feels like it is 50 lbs by the end of the day. Last year was a little better as I used a bow sling. Most of the elk we take, we can hear them long before we see them. The only time I would probably say that bino's help is the late season to spot a migrating herd and ready yourself into position. But I wouldn't put them high on the priority list for early season. I would much rather pack the extra weight in junk food.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

For bowhunting elk, I leave the binoculars behind, one less item aroud my neck, have enough problems with all the calls hanging all over me LOL. On locating elk I rely on my hearing as the main source, but my hearing is'nt as sharp as it used to be (to many long hours running chainsaws), I figured this out while hunting with my boy as he hears sounds alot of times that I just plain do not hear. Now rifle hunting for muley deer the binoculars are my eyes, gotta hav'em.;)

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

First off, bino's are definately less important during bow season then rifle. My plan in the early season is a trophy bull. I get up high and glass the various herd movements and locate a trophy. From that point on, I will focus on that bull, maybe for the entire season. Secondly, I wouldn't go anywhere without my bino's. While my goal is an elk, my passion is being out there and enjoying all that nature has to offer. I have spent hours glassing animals during bow elk season, maybe it is a perched eagle, or frolicing bear or whatever. I suppose if your only goal is to kill an elk then fine, but to me I don't want to miss natures show. When I take the boat out fishing I bring my binos, I'm convinced they havn't lead to an increased catch, but I take them. The is more to elk hunting then elk.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

You boys come on down here to CO and I will teach you why!:D You better break in some real good boots too!
Gselkhunter

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I don't miss natures show at all, when i am out in the great outdoors, all my senses are on full alert--I by far take in account of all the beauty with my own two eyes, my ears-- they hear the forest talking, my nose takes in the forest aromas, and taste----well i always seem to find myself in a batch of huckleberries!!!!

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

elknut1 your right, I always carry a small compact pair in my pack. But out of my five bow killed elk, I never used them. Come to think of it, I don't know of one time when I or my hunting partners have used them on any bow kill (elk) or close chance.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Robinhood36, I know what you mean about the natures show. I have spent hours watching eagles soar on the thermals above me and the elk. The drainage I hunt has many bears and we see them on a regular basis. Most if not all are seen without the use of bino's. I hunt a mix of lodgepole and chaparel. I usually can't see more than 40 to 50 yards. Bino's would be one extra thing to carry that I don't need. I can't say that they would not be useful in some hunting areas, but for me there is no place for them in the early season elk woods. It would be just as useful to carry a 2 pound rock around my neck.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Some mighty interesting comments here, as to the do's and why not's. I am amazed how many feel the same as I though!! I don't carry them and won't be anytime soon, not even in CO.

gselkhunter---It sounds as if you're suggesting that if we don't pack optics around, then we're not burning up much shoe leather. Quite the contrary there amigo!! :) If you were to add up all the elk taken by all that have reponded to this question it would exceed well over 100 animals. Now that's pretty good, so why now tell them elk can't be hunted effectively without the use of binos? I'm not saying for you not to use them, just question there value & neccessity for bowhunters hunting elk! So why is it you feel that optics are needed in your type of hunts, instead of your calling them to achieve location, or to hunt in areas they frequent at certain times of the day in the form of "blind setups". I find it much more productive to have the elk come to me instead of me trying to sneak in on a non vocal bunch.---I love a good Call&Stalk though!!! :)

I too find that we hear elk 95% of the time before we ever see them, either sounding off on their own or we get them going.---ElkNut1

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

How many 12,000ft ridges do you cross in a day there? The basins here are huge, we are talking a lot of miles. The elk only use part of it. If you gain and then give up that much altitude, then gain again you will understand. Binoculars allow me to work the parts that have elk. I am not into wasting my time, or my energy. Altitude will beat you up bad. It is hard on me and I love being up there.
Gselkhunter

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I spot and stalk most all big game If I sat in a tree I guess there would be no use for them either. I believe the most important piece of equipment that has helped me harvest more and better quality animals (that means bigger horns) is a set of high end binoculars used constantly. Lieca is my choice I would rather pack 40 oz around my neck for a mile than 0 oz for 10 miles.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I dont want to sound like I am pointing fingers or getting personal, but how good of a hunter is he that doesnt utilize a quality pair of optics? At least with the money they save on glasses they can double up on some boots as they are gonna have to do ALOT of walking (unnecessarily if you ask me) to make up not being able to "see what that lil patch of grass on that canyon rim 1/2 mile away over there is?" I dont believe I have EVER been on a hunt be them whitetails in south TX, turkeys in MO, antelope/mulies in WY or elk in The Gila that I did NOT rely heavily on optics as likewise did the guide.

In fact guides absolutely DEPEND and make their living through a pair of binculars. I admit that while what I carry for bowseason is typically different than what I carry while armed with something that goes bang, I STILL would feel absolutely naked without some sort of binocs regardless what or where I was chasing. I use fullsized rigs while toting a gun for big game, I use quality (Optolyth and Zeiss) compacts while turkey hunting, bow hunting and even while duck hunting. Superior quality compacts will work wonders for you guys who dont typically use any binocs because you dont like their weight of having something extra to lug around. The 8x25s like I am talking about easily fit in your shirt pocket and you wont even know you have them on. Likewise you wont have to worry about catching a bowstring on the strap.

Give em a try before you poopoo the whole idea!
RA

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Elknut1 is a timber rat, and so am I, bowhunting elk makes that a way of life. And the area and the way he hunts lets him get a way with that, without binos. When I am within 100yds of an elk in timber, I don't use my binos much either. But I used them a whole bunch before I got to that point. My binos are a tool as is my bow and a good knife, and I rely on my tools. And at timber line in CO, you better have your tools and know how to use them.
Gselkhunter

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

gselkhunter---Very well put my friend!! I couldn't agree more. Timber Rat huh!!! I like that! <grin>

Now gselkhunter gets what I was getting at. There are many areas of every Western State that has semi open to semi thick timbered elk country. This is the type of country I focus on in Sept. and first couple weeks of Oct. And NO binos are needed to hunt and harvest elk in these boggy, swampy, wet, cool, shaded, elky areas that elk seek out to stay out of the heat!! It's really that simple! Don't think for a second I haven't taken optics with me in the past, I HAVE!!! I've come to realize that they are not important in the terrain I've selected to hunt. (man it's fun stirring things up!!)

Now for you guys that hunt the more open, see forever type country, sorry!!! And yes, you would need the aid of binos at this time. Seems like a waste of time if you ask me. I'd head for areas I knew elk were heading to or where elk would want to be in Sept. Cool benchy areas or whatever the area allowed.

Remember we're talking about elk hunting with a bow in Sept. They're vocal, take advantage of that, it's huge!!! If you say that the animals are bugle shy & won't answer any kind of your calls or won't respond to your "blind setups" then you must really suck, (no offense) you need to put more hard work into practicing realistic elk sounds, be an ELK!!!!!

Guys, elk don't have to be vocal & you don't have to get a visual on them to know they're there and hunt them effectively. (sign) For instance, my son and I called in 16 bulls in 5 days in the first two weeks of Sept. we never heard one bugle in doing so. But they showed up to our blind setups to check out the commotion and looking for other elk. Of course we hunt nothing but OTC public land, and yes these elk get tons of hunting pressure, but good calling, persistence, and patients can pay off. I know Elkcrazy8 & idahoelkinstructor hunt similar ways as I do, ask them about the close encounters they get into everyear, with type setups?

So don't be to quick to scoff at our ways of hunting elk before you see how effective it can be!!!

If I were hunting mule deer, antelope & such critters, then yes I would use optics in those situations. They're non vocal critters though!! And I'm half blind!!! <grin> ElkNut1

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I'm not going to profess to being an expert elk hunter...but I've tramped around Montana a few times giving it a go. On several occasions while slipping quietly as possible through timber and small parks....how I spent most of my time it seemed, I was able to confirm what I was seeing was indeed an elk or not. As most of you know....rarely are they standing there big as day in the wide open. But a blonde patch tucked in between some blowdowns 100yds distant....is that an elk, or just a bleached out log? Why not have the option of knowing (without taking another step) what your looking at? In my mind, it could make all the difference in a shot opportunity, or blowing a herd of elk out of the opposite end of the timber without ever nocking an arrow. I carry steiner 8x30s on a bino buddy....and to be honest, I forget they are there within seconds of putting them on. My overstuffed backpack with everything but the kitchen sink is another story!

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Moosedrool I agree. I don't know what the fuss is about carrying binos. With the bino strap there not at all a big deal. I carry 16x50 all day and it doesn't bother me in the least. Admittinly, during bow season I scale down to 12x compacts, which are a non-factor to carry. About back packs, now there is a better argument. The only thing I carry during bow seasons is: water, calls, scents, and a sidearm, with binos around neck. Usually I were tennis shoes. One of the down sides to Montana is that at nights, in the mountains during September, it can get down to 30 degrees, by 10AM it can be 80 degrees.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I finally got my computer going now I can respond. I hunt alot like elknut and the use of bino's in our elk country and early season is not needed. At home for late season deer hunts I depend on them a great deal. I have a set of 10x50 windrivers and a spotting scope to go along with them. My hunting crew however has hauled 17 elk out in the last 5 years alone. Not one was spotted with optics before it was killed. Several were pope and young animals. Experience with elk movements puts us into the elk every time. Proper response can bring in that elk that may be standing at 100 yards. Most of my elk are killed in ares with alot of cover. The ever growing presence of wolves here in Idaho is causing the game to travel under cover and forcing them to stay out of the open. The long range glassing game is all but over here in Idaho and we are having to adapt not only to heavy hunting pressure but also to the new predator on the block. It is a new game and those who are not willing to adapt are going to see what tag soup is all about. I won't disagree that bino's may be helpful in other areas with different circumstances but where we hunt it is a different game.

gselkhunter, never give up, do what you have to. I give you alot of credit

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Every place you go will be different and you have to adapt to that area. I am already up on a lot of people, because I can play both games. And I like being a timber rat:D and I like be up above timberline at dawn doing the spot and stalk. It keeps the hunt fun!
Gselkhunter

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I hunt morning and evening two different ways. NORMALLY in the AM, I will hike several miles and only carry my range finder with X6 optics on the crooked horn bino support system. In the PM, now that age has creeped up on me, I will hunt a secluded meadow. I will carry my Leicas on my backpack hip pad belt. and my range finder still on my chest. Of the 19 elk I have taken a few were with the help of the binos, most with out the aid of them. While on stand I use the binos to pick up the distant movements. If I am on stand and I hear a bugle, I just can't stay there I just got to go after him. It is funny how that sound you just forget how tired you are and can hike with out noticing how far you travel.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Hey nut, no I wouldn't use them around my neck while actually bowhunting but a fine pair of optics are a part of my gear, sometime used as scouting aides prior to a hunt or in stalking but I alwalys got a pair of binos in my pack, but when it comes down to the intial approach, I really don't need them, I just follow the sound then.;) Bobby

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Elkhunter2---Sounds like reasonable & logical approach to me! I know 19 elk that won't be questioning your motives!! :) ElkNut1

121553----I like going after the sound as well, I'd rather use my ears than my eyes anyday when in the elkwoods come Sept.!!!!! When we going to get together and do some elk hunting? You know, you call for me then when I blow it you can call for me some more!!!!! :) ElkNut1

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

When I bow hunted I used bino's,not to see what size of Bull or elk,but just to see them and know what direction to go or plan of attack.See I like to get out front of them and call back to the herd.With out my bino's I would not know if there are elk in front of the bull in the timber.Now once I'm set up they would come off,not interfear with my draw or my release.We would use a two man system and put one guy 60-70 yards to the L-R of the herd position and the other back slightly another 20-30 yds behind that guy and both cow call and bugle back to the elk.Now I would watch the forest floor looking for hoves and sound.I can't hunt with out binoc's,Sorry I might as well leave my boots home than my optics.

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Nut, thanks to your vidieo I got this year we can do that and when I blow it I can blame it on my instructor. :)
This year when hunting the slopes of the missouri river the cliffs are quite high over looking meadows and I noticed what I thought was a herd of elk on the fringes of an aspen hammock, It must of been a quarter of a mile but I grabbed my binos from my pack and rubbed the dust from the lenses and glassed the herd and found out it was a herd of dairy cows as it was a free roaming grass range. I would of hated to waste a day stalking jersey cows if I didn't have them.
BBJ, I went through downtown Moccasin during rush hour and waved at ya but you didn't wave back.:D

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

Well,
Wich car were ya the one going 60-85 mph giving me the Ole" Butte Salute:D

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Moccasin traffic during rush hour can be a pretty rough experience....been through there many times myself. Actually, I thought that was an old Montana ghost town until I saw BBJ posting on here! ;)

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Moose it is a ghost towne, Bbj is the lengendary ghost. Don't forget the binos or you'll miss it. ;)

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Watch the bino jokes now!!! You don't need them. Just bugle like a herd bull and I'm sure he'll come a running!!!! <grin>
ElkNut1

RE: Bowhunters & Binos
 

I carry binos when I hunt. Does not matter if I am bow hunting or Rifle hunting the binos are worth there weight in gold to me.