Binocular use on stand
- Thread starter cmatera
- Start date
I never do. My partner does occasionally. Once in a great while he'll spot a coyote in the distance with them. Only one time ever did I bother to shoot one of them. Wasted an hour retrieving it. That is the only coyote I can ever remember that we killed because he had his binos on stand.
On the other hand, I've shot more than half a dozen coyotes right out from under him while he was goofing off looking through his binos at crap half a mile away. But he doesn't really carry them very often. Else I'm sure he'd have missed out on a lot more
.
- DAA
On the other hand, I've shot more than half a dozen coyotes right out from under him while he was goofing off looking through his binos at crap half a mile away. But he doesn't really carry them very often. Else I'm sure he'd have missed out on a lot more
- DAA
There may be areas where spotting them at longer ranges might be a possibility and reality. Where we hunt and how we hunt, it is very unlikely that we would have much use for binos. I will not presume to speak for all predator hunters, just for our guys and the way that we hunt. If you set up your stands correctly, then they will be in the kill zone before binos become an issue. But we don't have the elevation options that folks in other parts of the country might have. I can usually spot them out to 400-500 yards with the naked eye, which is about as far as I would be comfortable trying to take a shot. if I can see them, then I can usually figure out what I need to do in order to get them closer.
Quote: Only one time ever did I bother to shoot one of them. Wasted an hour retrieving it. Dang Dave, an hour wasted, just how far was the shot?
I scan with my binco after about each and every stand, and often I use them as I go over a hill into a calling area trying to make sure I don't bump any that are visible as I cross the hill.
I scan with my binco after about each and every stand, and often I use them as I go over a hill into a calling area trying to make sure I don't bump any that are visible as I cross the hill.
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btech29
Active member
Too much movement. Different parts of the country will yield different results, but what I see my hunters do is be looking way off in the distance and a coyote is standing at the call. If I do need to look at something way off I just ease my gun to my shoulder and look through the scope.
I do hunt with this real old guy that uses them some. I excuse it cause in his old age he cant see very good anymore.
I do hunt with this real old guy that uses them some. I excuse it cause in his old age he cant see very good anymore.
TR, it was about 600 yards, so less than a mile round trip. Dang creek to find a way to get a across on the way to it - which I had not even know was there and would not have shot if I had known. Then get all the way over, ocean of sage that all look alike, lined up my horizon landmarks as best as possible and did eventually find it using them, but it took awhile. Then long go round to get back across the creek. Yadda-yadda.
Tim still likes to talk about that one though, as to why he thinks it's a good idea for him to carry his binos on stand from time to time, lol! And he has literally never shot at a coyote he has seen through them, either.
- DAA
Tim still likes to talk about that one though, as to why he thinks it's a good idea for him to carry his binos on stand from time to time, lol! And he has literally never shot at a coyote he has seen through them, either.
- DAA
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
No binoculars for me, I am looking for movement. If there is a coyote running within 100 yards I want to be able to see it.
skinney
Director
Originally Posted By: cmateraHow many of you use binoculars while on stand? Is the extra movement acceptable in relation to the benefit they provide?
100% of the time for us, before we even hit the call, we do a thorough glass job across our entire 180. Even when our furthest shot may be 2-300 yards, I've picked cats out that your eye can not see. We've picked up bedded Coyotes, mousing Coyotes, howling Coyotes, all that you would never see with your eyes, and to be able to pinpoint that location, and have a more educated "guess" that they will be coming from that location, gives you the option to be one step ahead, than to just key on movement, after they've already closed the distance. They are a huge asset and we gain a significant amount of success because of that option.
Just remember, look close before you look far. Easy peasy.
100% of the time for us, before we even hit the call, we do a thorough glass job across our entire 180. Even when our furthest shot may be 2-300 yards, I've picked cats out that your eye can not see. We've picked up bedded Coyotes, mousing Coyotes, howling Coyotes, all that you would never see with your eyes, and to be able to pinpoint that location, and have a more educated "guess" that they will be coming from that location, gives you the option to be one step ahead, than to just key on movement, after they've already closed the distance. They are a huge asset and we gain a significant amount of success because of that option.
Just remember, look close before you look far. Easy peasy.
skinney
Director
Originally Posted By: cmateraDarn you skinney. Now I have to re-think this again. It's not unanimous anymore.
LOL... Not trying to make it hard for ya, but break it down. What's your terrain consist of, what's your application? Sure movement is key, no one will ever dispute that, we as well as coyotes are predators, our eyes naturally engage movement, it's an instinct. Why is a 100% of prey camo? Oh wait, camo is just a uniform right? No it's not, it's a tool when you properly apply it, just like a pair of binos. Now open your mind, why not extend that option, instead of just relying on seeing a Coyote commit with your human eyes, amplify it, use another sense, the tool to see them before they are moving to your set, trust me it helps. If people think you'll move around to much glassing, then move slower when you glass. If they are to heavy to carry, then do some push ups
I can give you scenario, after scenario, after scenario, about the benefits of glassing on stand if you do it correctly vs. not. Just like many out there will do vice versa. In the end it's up to you, for your specific set of circumstances.
LOL... Not trying to make it hard for ya, but break it down. What's your terrain consist of, what's your application? Sure movement is key, no one will ever dispute that, we as well as coyotes are predators, our eyes naturally engage movement, it's an instinct. Why is a 100% of prey camo? Oh wait, camo is just a uniform right? No it's not, it's a tool when you properly apply it, just like a pair of binos. Now open your mind, why not extend that option, instead of just relying on seeing a Coyote commit with your human eyes, amplify it, use another sense, the tool to see them before they are moving to your set, trust me it helps. If people think you'll move around to much glassing, then move slower when you glass. If they are to heavy to carry, then do some push ups
Runnin'Hard
New member
I always have them in my rig. If I am going to hunt an area that has lots of canyons, sage, rock etc, I will take them and scan the area like Skinney said before I start calling. If I am hunting an area that is wide open desert, then I do not take them. I walk with a pack, so anything I can justify leaving I will...
BangPop
Active member
I 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.
Originally Posted By: cmatera OK, the binos are out, how about your rangefinder? I shot my first coyote of 2019, first time I hunted since I moved to a new state. I already ranged some spots. She was farther than I thought. 148 yards was a long shot for a .17 WSM
My rangefinder has become a regular part of my calling gear. I use a SIG Kilo 1250. It's small and accurate. With practice you can get pretty good at estimating your ranges. But starting out, a rangefinder is nice to have. I usually range several "markers" like large trees, rocks, bushes or cactus. That way I know when a coyote is at those ranges. But I don't hunt at ranges where I would be able to range then shoot them.
My rangefinder has become a regular part of my calling gear. I use a SIG Kilo 1250. It's small and accurate. With practice you can get pretty good at estimating your ranges. But starting out, a rangefinder is nice to have. I usually range several "markers" like large trees, rocks, bushes or cactus. That way I know when a coyote is at those ranges. But I don't hunt at ranges where I would be able to range then shoot them.
K-22hornet.
New member
Binos and my range finder are used on each and every stand.
When I sit down, before I make a sound, I glass the area. Many times I have spotted a coyote way out there, looking right at me. I figure he watched me walk in and sit down. I won't call to that coyote because I do not want him to put 2+2 together.
Instead, I will watch that coyote until he walks out of sight, wait several minutes, and then start calling.
Edited to add: I only hunt public land, and perhaps my coyotes are a little more spooky?
Before I stand up at the end of a stand, I will glass again. Many times I have spotted coyotes on the way in, or just see their head, looking at me over a Sage or Yucca bush 300yds out.
Here in the wide open West, the rangefinder has helped me connect on numerous coyotes that hang up at 300-400+ yards. Knowing the range precisely allows me to make long range hits.
So for me, yes to using binos and a rangefinder. Religiously.
Edited to add: I only hunt public land now, and these coyotes are quite a bit spookier than the private land hunts I used to do.
When I sit down, before I make a sound, I glass the area. Many times I have spotted a coyote way out there, looking right at me. I figure he watched me walk in and sit down. I won't call to that coyote because I do not want him to put 2+2 together.
Instead, I will watch that coyote until he walks out of sight, wait several minutes, and then start calling.
Edited to add: I only hunt public land, and perhaps my coyotes are a little more spooky?
Before I stand up at the end of a stand, I will glass again. Many times I have spotted coyotes on the way in, or just see their head, looking at me over a Sage or Yucca bush 300yds out.
Here in the wide open West, the rangefinder has helped me connect on numerous coyotes that hang up at 300-400+ yards. Knowing the range precisely allows me to make long range hits.
So for me, yes to using binos and a rangefinder. Religiously.
Edited to add: I only hunt public land now, and these coyotes are quite a bit spookier than the private land hunts I used to do.
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Snowshoes
Well-known member
I have a set or rangefinder binoculars that accompany me on every stand.
I spend a fair bit of time glassing, be it in open country or nearby bushes. Numerous times with the aid of binoculars, I have picked out a coyote just inside the treeline that likely wouldn't have been spotted with the naked eye. Having the capability to range distances with the bino's is a real bonus!
I used to carry a Leica Rangefinder and a set of Swarovski 8x30mm binoculars but switched to Rangefinder Binoculars 4 years ago.
The first set were Bushnell Fusion 1 Mile Rangefinder Binoculars which I used for 3 years. Glass was fair but the ranging capabilities were great.
I now have a set of Swarovski 10x42 EL Range, which have fantastic glass but the ranging capabilities are good but I wouldn't go as far as saying "great". Bright sun seems to affect these moreso than the Fusions.
I spend a fair bit of time glassing, be it in open country or nearby bushes. Numerous times with the aid of binoculars, I have picked out a coyote just inside the treeline that likely wouldn't have been spotted with the naked eye. Having the capability to range distances with the bino's is a real bonus!
I used to carry a Leica Rangefinder and a set of Swarovski 8x30mm binoculars but switched to Rangefinder Binoculars 4 years ago.
The first set were Bushnell Fusion 1 Mile Rangefinder Binoculars which I used for 3 years. Glass was fair but the ranging capabilities were great.
I now have a set of Swarovski 10x42 EL Range, which have fantastic glass but the ranging capabilities are good but I wouldn't go as far as saying "great". Bright sun seems to affect these moreso than the Fusions.
204 AR
Well-known member
Always carry my Swaro 8x rangefinder, which has good enough glass to glass with. Can't afford a good ranging bino for the foreseeable future and won't carry both as they'd be in the way of each other. Glass first before calling, then towards the end, but only for short periods so one doesn't sneak in close without you knowing. Keep your arms, hands in front of your body and move slowly.