Thread: Binos for bush stalking - do you need em? Why and how?

G'day, I have a crap pair of binos. Just wondering if I actually need to carry any at all when bush stalking as that's mostly what I do. If you recommend them, please explain why. My eyesight is at 100%, surely that's good enough?

I've struggled with this too. Bush could be 5 metres visibility, could be 50 metres. Obviously, if it's the lower end of that range, binoculars are less useful. At the upper end, I think they are useful for scanning ahead. Combined with a quiet, slow walking technique, you will see the animal that you would either have walked past or spooked. I can only speak for goats.

They are good for scanning the bush but also keep you still. Definitely good for Sika Hunting.

I'll be watching this with interest, I've never used them bush stalking, although you raise a good point MB the other side of that, with deer anyway, would be if you're within 50m of a deer the chances are it may well be aware of you already and your peripheral vision might be more useful for spotting movement than being focused through binos. While binos are good for clarifying colour definition in dark bush, I've always found a quick gander through the scope will often be all that's needed.

Originally Posted by Steelo

I'll be watching this with interest, I've never used them bush stalking, although you raise a good point MB the other side of that, with deer anyway, would be if you're within 50m of a deer the chances are it may well be aware of you already and your peripheral vision might be more useful for spotting movement than being focused through binos. While binos are good for clarifying colour definition in dark bush, I've always found a quick gander through the scope will often be all that's needed.

I'm not super pro-binos. I don't carry them most of the time in the bush (it's very thick up here), but they have found me an animal or two in other places.

I generally carry a small pair of 7x when bush hunting. Usefull for scanning ahead in the more open stuff. Even in tight bush you can often distinguish a part of an animal that would otherwise be missed. You tend to stop and look more and hear/sight more animals instead of floundering away through vegetation.
As a side note. Try wearing a pair of amplified ear muffs, you don't need them turned up too much, you'll hear how noisey you are to an animals sensitive hearing even though you think you're moving quietly.
Another good reason to use bino's is it stops you from being one of those muppets who use their rifle-scope for gazing around from time to time, which isn't a good look.

Originally Posted by woods223

I generally carry a small pair of 7x when bush hunting. Usefull for scanning ahead in the more open stuff. Even in tight bush you can often distinguish a part of an animal that would otherwise be missed. You tend to stop and look more and hear/sight more animals instead of floundering away through vegetation.
As a side note. Try wearing a pair of amplified ear muffs, you don't need them turned up too much, you'll hear how noisey you are to an animals sensitive hearing even though you think you're moving quietly.
Another good reason to use bino's is it stops you from being one of those muppets who use their rifle-scope for gazing around from time to time, which isn't a good look.

Never tried noise amplification ear muffs, do you rate them for bush stalking?

I use 8x32 Swaros which I can carry in the top pocket of my jacket or around my neck. No weight in them and super crystal clear. Excellent in the bush for checking a possible animal. The shadow is removed to an extent also making it easier to identify things.

@ cally woo. Amplifying Earmuffs.
Used them a reasonable amount. They can be a pain in the arse in tight stuff but when moving in stealth mode they can sure pick up minor sounds. If turned up too loud they can make a fantail flitting around sound like a wood pidgeon taking of next to you. I usually turn them on and stand/sit quietly, then adjust volume till I get a level I'm comfortable with. Then carry on hunting as normal. I don't always wear them but have been experimenting with them for about two years on and off, they have helped me get a few animals that I probably would have missed out on. Just another tool to help get animals.

Originally Posted by woods223

@ cally woo. Amplifying Earmuffs.
Used them a reasonable amount. They can be a pain in the arse in tight stuff but when moving in stealth mode they can sure pick up minor sounds. If turned up too loud they can make a fantail flitting around sound like a wood pidgeon taking of next to you. I usually turn them on and stand/sit quietly, then adjust volume till I get a level I'm comfortable with. Then carry on hunting as normal. I don't always wear them but have been experimenting with them for about two years on and off, they have helped me get a few animals that I probably would have missed out on. Just another tool to help get animals.

my hearing is stuffed and have been looking down this path 2 questions how are they in windy conditions and cicadas loud to loud

I carry a wee pair of 6x leupolds round my neck when Bush stalking. Have done for about 15 years now. This was on the recommendation of a colleague who was very successful, especially in the Blueys. In that 15 years I've never spotted a deer in the bush with them! Handy for clearings, slips etc though.

no use to me-reasons unecessary weight,something else around your neck or in pocket annoying me,no periphery when using them which very often movement is spotted in periphery,if a closer look is required the scope is better as rifle is already shouldered if a quick shot required.

I'm just learning the dark arts of bush hunting, so take it with a grain of salt... but always carry a pair - only cos they sit on top of my PLB in my bino harness (next to my compass, poo tickets and car key). Figured chest rig was least likely to come off in a tumble, so a good place for PLB, therefore I'm wearing it anyway, binos add feck all weight (397gms), so why not keep binos in there. Have used them more than I expected, mostly to look into the thicker edges when the bush opens up a bit (is that bracken or Bambi?), or to scan the odd slip/scree face that you come across, or for some areas I go where there's a mix of bush and open stuff. But yeah, when you can't see more than 15-20m, ears and schnoz are much more helpful (my eyes aren't as good as yours...)

Yep, max 8 power
You can focus through the bush
If you are glassing you're not moving which is a good thing
You're not using your scope to check out movement or sound and pointing your rifle at a non identified target which is also a good thing.

Just my thoughts

Originally Posted by imaca

Yep, max 8 power
You can focus through the bush
If you are glassing you're not moving which is a good thing
You're not using your scope to check out movement or sound and pointing your rifle at a non identified target which is also a good thing.

Just my thoughts

Yeah you don’t want to be ‘that guy’ that uses his rifle scope to check ‘something’ only to discover it’s another hunter - who can see what you’re doing!