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

I have used a pair of 8x32 binoculars for bush stalking for the past 6-7 years. I can think of a few times where I have shot deer as a result of seeing them 'through' the bush with the binoculars. These are deer that i have missed seeing in my initial scanning with the naked eye, as they were behind a couple of layers of vegetation and standing still. show up clear as day with the binoculars.

Doubly useful when there is the odd slip or clearing that you can glass between being a bush hobbit.

Not a gamechanger for bush hunting, but a great tool to have in the toolkit when hunting if you can spare the cash for a second pair of binos.

I deliberately bought binos for bush stalking that are more powerful than my scope to reduce the temptation to check something out through my scope. However i stunt use them much because the caddy is hot, bulky and sometimes lets the binos fall out. I need to start using them again. The point about them slowing you down is on point

Identify your target beyond all doubt because you never miss (right?) and I'll be missed.

Originally Posted by cally woo

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 always carry a small pair of 10x compact weavers - very handy for glassing clearings slips - dont use much under canopy - have spotted deer bedded down which I would not have seen with just eyesight ( well not until damn close )

I carry a monoclonal 10x25 faster than bins smaller and with my rifle slung on my right shoulder I can scan with one hand.
Certainly helps identify the those deer sticks
Nope they’re not as good as my bins but for bush stalking they’re good enough. On a string around the neck and stuffed down the front of my shirt or in top pocket.

Usually my bush stalking is nearby streams and rivers, so a set of binos to have a nosey ahead if there's an opening is pretty useful.

It's also just part of my kit now, I have a harness that has a plb on the strap, binos inside, fire kit on the left pocket, first aid kit in the front and gps in the right hand pocket. So if I ever get separated from my backpack, from falling in a river or something, I have the essentials on me.

Ive got good pair of 10x bushnells that will fit in tit pocket of my butcher coat..... they come with me and SOMETIMES are useful in the bush... one huge advantage of binos it being able to focus them so you can see THROUGH light screen of vege at something behind it by focusing the screen out you get better look at whats behind it... the not using scope thing is good too..and if youve seen the light and gone back to smaller fixed power,its not an option anyway. that brownish blob on far clearing can be checked out without leg work too. and then there is always the chance of hilltop encounter with nubile lasses who do some rather strange rituals...as @RUMPY will attest to...I couldnt possibly comment as "wasnt looking".

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Ive got good pair of 10x bushnells that will fit in tit pocket of my butcher coat..... they come with me and SOMETIMES are useful in the bush... one huge advantage of binos it being able to focus them so you can see THROUGH light screen of vege at something behind it by focusing the screen out you get better look at whats behind it... the not using scope thing is good too..and if youve seen the light and gone back to smaller fixed power,its not an option anyway. that brownish blob on far clearing can be checked out without leg work too. and then there is always the chance of hilltop encounter with nubile lasses who do some rather strange rituals...as @RUMPY will attest to...I couldnt possibly comment as "wasnt looking".

If young ladies want to get topless in nature then I'm not going to spoil their day. Honestly though Micky, they were way too far off to see anything, even with binos.

yeah yeah..thats your story and your sticking to it..fair enough

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yeah yeah..thats your story and your sticking to it..fair enough

hunting guys hunting thats the forum not some daydreams

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yeah yeah..thats your story and your sticking to it..fair enough

I came across two French girls doing that one evening at mangatutu hot springs, I didn’t need binos though.


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A lot of comments about slowing down. Hey how fast do you fellas usually travel 1km if bush stalking? Obv changes on sign etc but if you're in your "good" hunting spot, how far should a guy be going per hour?

It can be as slow as 200m an hour depending on vegetation, how close I come to some active @animals and if I bow hunt and want to make a shot with out being seen or if I rifle hunt , where an animal on alert that look at me can still fall under a bullet ( something I do not want with an arrow).

Regarding the use of binoculars, 1000’s of animals have been killed by experienced bush hunters who Nevers used them.

But I got taught to use binoculars during all my roe deer stalking years in Europe, and even in tight stuff they can be useful to pick up just part of a deer ( a leg, an ear or an antler…). When bowhunting they are a precious aid.

Originally Posted by cally woo

A lot of comments about slowing down. Hey how fast do you fellas usually travel 1km if bush stalking? Obv changes on sign etc but if you're in your "good" hunting spot, how far should a guy be going per hour?

years ago I got lent a GPS for the first time..I had been hard out bush stalking for 3 hours just mooching along carefully looking etc etc,got out GPS 750 mtrs from car!!!!! for sure I had traveled possibly 2kms around in around but still... today I will head out and intend to be back at car some 3-4-5 hours later..at no time will I be further than 2kms from car

As to how fast you move….my ball park is when on sign, if I’m sweeting then I’m going to fast.

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?