RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

I use 2 pair.

For still hunting and scouting....Simmons 10x25's. Very compact and lightweight.

For everything else....Bushnell Perma Focus 10x50's.

I once thought that a lower power was OK in Eastern deerwoods, but after a few elk trips in WA state, I got the 10/50's. Amazing how much clearer things look with a larger objective lense. And the larger bi-noc's aren't as shakey either.


And for BobCo19-65, binoculars used during archery season are even MORE important because you need to be able to see what's coming and from where, for the same reasons as during the firearms season, but without the luxery of a rifle scope.

Edited by - Catfish369 on 01/31/2003 13:46:51

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Anybody ever tried the Leupold Gold Ring line? How do they compare to some of the higher $$$ binos?

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RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

i use my bushnell 12x50 i got them at sportsmart for $80

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

BobCo, you'd be surprised at how much you see if you just sit there during dull times and pick the woods apart. You can also see what's behind what you see. Many times you can pick up a deer pattern you were unaware of. Now that's with good quality binos. A set of cheap things will not show you as much. I sneaked into a stand on a ridge one afternoon a couple years ago. I knew deer bedded on the next ridge. I climbed a tree with my climber keeping the tree between myself and the other ridge. After things got quiet I started to go over the next ridge piece by piece. I counted 13 deer bedded in a 100 yard area, not all together or within sight of each other. It was really cool. As if on que they all got up and started towards the field in a long procession. You know who was last in line. I probably never would have seen them without the binos.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

As David is trying to stress, buy the best binos you can afford. You'll never be disappointed. One thing so far unmentioned is the coatings on the better glass. You'll be amazed at how much better things look through good glass. Especially the reduction in flare when looking with light falling on the objectives. The view has much better contrast and sharpness.

Phil.
&quot;Could you guys be quiet, my dad's trying to shoot.&quot;<img src=icon_smile_shock.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

BobCo

I too find binoculars a &quot;can't do without&quot; archery accessory. Too many times I'm in my stand and see movement well out into the woods. Mind you I can't shoot that far but I've used bino's to positively identify deer parts and more specifically, antlers in a distance so I know to call to said deer. More often than not I've picked out deer/ more specifically bucks that I wouldn't seen or called to without binos. I aslo find them useful to study the arrow after the shot, study the animal after the shot. Most animals when shot will run and stop and look back many times offering you an opportunity to glass the animal and distinquish the shot...knowing that can help determine recovery time of recovery or not...

Glassing the surrounding woods aslo breaks up the day and getting involved in your hunt rather than sitting by and letting the hunt pass you by. I also nature study while in the stand and much much more.

Yes, binos are a must for me in my stand whiling bowhunting.

<font color=blue>Good Luck and Good Shooting</font id=blue>

<font color=red>Rob</font id=red>

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

Ditto on the bino's as a must have when bowhunting.
As was said above, a good quality set of bino's are a huge plus when you are out there. What David said is exactly right....and he probably has the best pair money can buy. An exit pupil of 5-6mm is prefered to have the best advantage over all. Anything over that doesn't really add much because the eye doesn't really open up more than that. Anything under that, you will suffer some during lower light. Quality will obviously make a difference also.
Personally I use a set of 8x25 Nikon compacts. Sure, I don't have all the advantages at first and last light as the bigger sizes, however they are extremely clear, and can pick apart the brush very well. (yes david, they are not as good as yours...but imo they work very well) Plus they are smaller and lightweight, a plus in my book....I've usually got enough crap with me when I'm out there.
I have used my friends 8x42 swarovski's and they are incredible. However, for the extra $600+, I don't feel that I gain that much during daylight hours. Lowlight...yep, no doubt. I can honestly say that even though mine suffer some during low light, they have worked for me for years very well, and even though they are smaller, they have never let me down, or cost me an opportunity. For bowhunting, IMO they do all I need. The majority of the spots I hunt, I can't even see 100yds anyhow. Now if I was hunting out west, or in different terrain, that would be different. I'd probably opt for some 7x42's or simitlar.
The main thing is, regardless of what size you choose, get a good quality optic. A cheap optic is just that...doesn't matter what size.
VAboy....my buddy has a pair of Leupold gold rings, and swear's by them. They are very clear, but I have never used them...other then just to look through them. I'm sure they will do very well.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

My wife picked up a pair of the Bushnell Permafocus 10 x 50 for me and they are great. I can use them with one hand.

RE: What size binoculars are best for hunting?
 

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote<font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I aslo find them useful to study the arrow after the shot, study the animal after the shot.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> Now that PA and most of NJ follow QDM rules it's necessary to get a better look at them to decide on my course of action. <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face='Verdana, Arial, Helvetica' size=2 id=quote>

OK, I can understand those reasons. I used to carry binos into the woods with me during archery season, but I found myself never taking them out and using them. So I stopped bringing them, and never really had the need to use them. I do remember, as PA Bowyer has stated looking at the arrow after the shot. But, I also found myself sitting tight for at least 1/2 hour after the shot anyway before getting dowm and examining the arrow. As far as calling in deer from far away, I stopped trying to do that a long time ago. There are too many people in my area calling, and I feel it is more of a detriment in my area. About the only time I call is if I am trying to stop one. And I do that with only my mouth. I guess what works best for me is sitting tight and not moving much. If I was hunting in PA though with the new QDM programs, I may use a set of binos. But, usually I would say that I can count points on anything within my range. What works for one may not work for another. I defenetely wouldn't say don't use bino's for archery if they work for you. But for me, at least where I hunt, and the way that I hunt (mostly the thickest stuff I can get into) ,they are not a necessity.