Binocular use on stand

Every time!!
Just like a few guys have stated, I scan before I call, scan before I leave. I've caught them sitting on the edge of a tree line, never would have seen them without them. The terrain makes a difference too. You don't need a big heavy pair hanging around your neck, a small pair that can fit in your pocket works too. Can't kill what you don't see.
 
My Alaska guide creations bino pack goes on when I leave the house and doesn’t come off til I’m done hunting. Binos, range finder, a couple hand calls and a couple of diaphragm calls, foxpro remote, spare batteries, windicator, and a couple extra rounds all stay in the small chest pack. I use Binos before I leave the truck and while working my way into the stand- better than getting busted a couple hundred yards out off the bat. After getting set up I’ll spend about ten minutes glassing, ranging landmarks and mentally preparing my primary and secondary kill zones while letting things calm down. Using Binos to check out unknown things not noticed during the initiall scan is not only safer but is a lot less movement than swinging a rifle to get behind the scop. If the object is far enough I can’t positively identify it with out optics then It’s far enough away I don’t need to be ready to shoot right away anyways. I always scan for a couple minutes at the end of the stand after stopping the call also.
 
I have enough trouble leaving my glasses behind on a stand, can't imagine dragging a pair of binoc., range finder, windicator, I'd be walking back to every stand to collect the things I left behind.

Most of the time I don't get to see a predator until it's time to start shooting.

Like Tripod I'd do keep binocs handy when nearing the beach.

I spent some time working a fire tower in my youth that was surrounded by lakes those big binocs were great for making the day go by quickly. Not many predators but lots of foxes on the shores.
 
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Originally Posted By: BangPopI carry them every stand. I have shot a bunch of em in the last 40 years that I didn't pick out with the naked eye. A couple of weeks ago I was in Kansas and killed two that I wouldn't have gotten without the binos. I was about to wrap up a stand and I knew I had better have a good look around before standing up. I glassed down a ravine and in the shadows peeking up over a tank dam was a coyote at 280 yards. When I looked over the top of the binos I couldn't pick him out. Another was right at dark later that day. The coyote was standing in some tall grass about 250 and I doubt I would have seen him without the glass. I have a pair of Geovids so I carry them for the range finding capability as well.


That's pretty much what I do. I also have Geovids. I look around after sitting down but before making a sound if it's open enough that I can't see it all without them. I range some terrain features to get an idea of where I have to start holding elevation with a rifle, or where 40 yards is for my shotgun. I then put them away until the stand is over. Before leaving a stand I scan carefully with them anywhere I think a bobcat might be. I have not found a cat that way yet but have spotted coyotes heads a few times and got them coaxed in.
 
AWS One of the things I learned(the hard way)on my first turkey hunt was to ALWAYS look around and be sure I picked all my gear up before moving on.
 
Originally Posted By: AWSI have enough trouble leaving my glasses behind on a stand, can't imagine dragging a pair of binoc., range finder, windicator, I'd be walking back to every stand to collect the things I left behind.

Most of the time I don't get to see a predator until it's time to start shooting.

Like Tripod I'd do keep binocs handy when nearing the beach.

I spent some time working a fire tower in my youth that was surrounded by lakes those big binocs were great for making the day go by quickly. Not many predators but lots of foxes on the shores.


+1

The part of the country you are hunting in makes a difference in the equipment you need.

I carried a couple of guys with me to Mexico years ago that just had to use Binoculars. We were hunting in a flat flood plain with scattered grease wood bushes, with the ability to see for a distance. Both of these guys lost coyotes due to:

a. movement

b. they never saw the coyote

I told them both that I did not care if they smoked, and asked them to leave those binoculars home on the next trip due to the type of terrain that we were hunting in.
 
I always have binos and a rangefinder with me, but carry everything for calling in an Eberlestock backpack. I use the rangefinder to find the dead hold perimeter before calling and may or may not pull the binos out, depending on terrain. If I do, it's mostly to check the area out before getting up to move.
 


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