Classes on glassing?

[69ChrisCraft]

I was wondering if anyone has taken either Duwane Adams or Jaret Owens (Alaska Guide Creations) classes on optics and glassing. I'm not sure how basic or advanced these classes are but I'd love have the opportunity to improve and see how I stack up.

I recently ordered and read Duwane Adam's book on Coues deer and was not impressed in the least. However, he is considered THE authority in AZ as far as I can tell.

Any feedback or recommendations?

 

[boom]

cant help with the class.

but i can offer some advice. buy a nice pad to sit on. i bought a (kinda pricey) thermorest pad, and cut it up. it is green on one side, silver on the other. cut it up into three pieces. could have done four easy, if i used a tape measure. sitting on a pad made all the difference. no splinters in my ass, no wiggling around. in general, the more comfy i was, the longer and more effective i could glass. you wont find much if you have to keep getting up to massage your butt..or pull out thorns. i gave my brother and friend the other sections, and they agree with me. we could finally stay sitting for hours.

 

[Beastmode]

I have never done any classes on glassing. Most of my experience has come from mistakes. These include but not limited to:
-Silouetting myself on top of a ridge
-Wind at my back
-Not being thorough(most common mistake)
-Not looking at obvious areas
-my obsession of what's over the next ridge

A few keys I have picked up on over the years.

Make yourself comfortable. If you are hot, cold, wet, weird sitting postion, hard granite ..... you probably are going to be in a hurry to leave.

Get good glass. I would say a minimum $500 on binos and the same on spotters. The more you can spend the better. If you have more money spend it on binos. You will spend more time behind them generally speaking.

Move your eyes across the entire FOV. I have missed many animals in my younger years by moving the glass before I have picked apart everything in the FOV.

I use a 5 minute rule. if I glass for an extended period of time I stop about every 5 minutes and look at close areas nearby and obvious clearings. I have had animals stand up in their bed 200 yards away and I am glued to my binos 1000 yards away. Which brings up another point. Cover all areas just because you have the power to see the far ridge doesn't mean that needs to be your focus. Start close and work your way out.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Thanks for the pointers, guys. I entirely agree with the comfort and patience (lacking). I certainly do second guess my location and am constantly wanting to "see if the grass is greener" elsewhere. Maybe just getting together with some Rokslide guys somewhere to compare glass/equipment would be the best ide?

 

[Beastmode]

Thanks for the pointers, guys. I entirely agree with the comfort and patience (lacking). I certainly do second guess my location and am constantly wanting to "see if the grass is greener" elsewhere. Maybe just getting together with some Rokslide guys somewhere to compare glass/equipment would be the best ide?

Where do you live?

 

[shaun]

Where do you live?

You still working south of me?? I am working in Bako

 

[Beastmode]

Yep

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

If you are looking at a large area try to glass in sections. Being out in the country a lot is the best class there is

 

[69ChrisCraft]

Where do you live?

Madera. Just north of Fresno.

Not sure if we have enough guys that are willing to make it worth our while....I know I'd love to get a chance to look through a pair of the new SLC 15x56. I have a pair of the 12x 50 EL, 10x42 Conquest HD and 15x 50 Viper HD if anyone would like to get a look through any of those in the field.

 

[Beastmode]

I'm currently working in Visalia. More than willing to meet up. I run the vortex razor HD 10x42
And the razor 65mm spotter.

 

[69ChrisCraft]

I'm currently working in Visalia. More than willing to meet up. I run the vortex razor HD 10x42
And the razor 65mm spotter.

Excellent. I also have a Razor 50mm spotter that is in for warranty work but should be back in the next few weeks (hoping). I'd really like to look through the 65mm though. I see you're aren't from Visalia but have you had a chance to get up the hill at all? I don't know the area very well, not sure if a trip into Kings Canyon to glass would be worth our while? Maybe someone familiar with the south valley could chime in?

 

[Nick Bowen]

I'm currently working in Visalia. More than willing to meet up. I run the vortex razor HD 10x42
And the razor 65mm spotter.

Not trying to thread jack, but how do you like this setup? I'm thinking of getting both these optics, because I can get a killer deal on them

 

[Ben]

I'm a few hours north but would be more than willing to make the trip. I have a lower end binoculars and tripod and would really like to look through the higher end glass.

 

[jmsdad]

I'm in for a get-together too if you guys can get something set up in the foothills east of Merced, Madera, Fresno. My optics are a bit out dated and would like to peek thru a few before buying.

 

[boom]

A great place would be grizzly island. Glass up some tule elk.

I'll watch this thread as well.

 

[Beastmode]

We could schedule a northern California rokslide rally. I think there are enough guys to try and make something like this work.

 

[boom]

Copy that! I'm east Bay Area.