Optimal Mule Deer Optics Setup

[RockAndSage]

You're correct, many people glass for short periods and move a significant distance.

I'll sit in one spot for hours before I'm done. Pre dawn is my goal every time, I've spotted alot of game waaaaaay before sunrise that simply can't be done with low-mid grade optics, I tried it for years before alpha glass was a reality for me.

Same. Even when they bed-down before shoot light, you know right where they'll be when they get up around 10am to move to the shade of second bed, as the sun shifts.

 

[Hnthrdr]

We should probably stop talking about this… haha I really like that 98% of hunters glass for 15 min and move on… full disclosure there is almost 0 glassing involved when I elk hunt (archery) haha, but deer, bear, antelope, sheep, goat, anything with a rifle, I think it’s super relaxing cause all I do is glass. Archery elk hunting is like a damn off trail marathon… everything else goes to a snails pace until it’s killing time.

 

[JGRaider]

Are we talking western hunting on primarily public land or TX private?

OK/TX private, CO, NM, public, Mexico, Africa.

 

[JGRaider]

And again, you're conflating "need" with "advantages". You also literally have zero idea how many bucks you've missed in not having top glass, while convincing yourself you're "successful" and didn't miss any by having put "a" buck down.

This nonsense is the kind of stuff you'd tell a kid who needs to just learn to glass better. But telling an experienced mule deer hunter they won't get any advantage with better glass is a bizarre absurdity. You don't "need" top glass to get a buck, but you damn sure have a better chance at spotting the best hidden ones. Especially in the worst lighting conditions. Arguing otherwise is pretty suspect.

And since you've never hunted with me, you don't know how many, if any, big bucks I've missed either. I've also guided over 160 hunters over 16 years and sampled all their gear as well. IMO, hunters should spend more time learning to shoot, get in better shape, and have a good attitude (not a know it all one like some folks have), instead of worrying if their binos are adequate. If you're emotionally attached to your NL's and feel the need to justify them to me, great for you.

 

[BBob]

We should probably stop talking about this…

Yes we should, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to training our competition

 

[BBob]

I wish I could go back to the times when it was extremely rare to see another tripod in the field

 

[Jlt1313]

I run NL 8’s, NL 14’s and Kowa 88s. Each time I go from the 8s to 14’s I think they are my new favorite. Both are so incredible I can’t imagine not have both on me. The glass in the Kowa is, in my opinion, even better than the glass in the NL’s. The detail you can see through the 88 is stunning.

Why not run the 14’s without the 8’s?

 

[WRO]

Why not run the 14’s without the 8’s?

Having both, the 14’s are not the best hand held and the 8s have a FOV that seems like you can see behind you with them.

 

[ThatsBishop]

Why not run the 14’s without the 8’s?

The 8s are much easier to handhold and are much brighter. What was trying to convey was that each time I switch back and forth the one I switch to is my new favorite. I am amazed at both.

 

[Grassymike]

Alpha glass wins every time in every scenario. It's a simple affordability issue for some people.

You need to hunt with my Sheep partner. I have Swaro EL and he has Vortex , guy flat out kicks my butt finding and spotting sheep first. Last year was the first year of three we have hunted together where I have kept up. The more time you are behind glass of any quality ripping apart hillsides the more "effective" you will be.

 

[cq0302]

Headed to Idaho rifle mule deer this fall. In past I’ve always rocked a maven 10x and 15x, normally I haven’t worried about ton about weight but we are planning to hike a good ways into the frank, I’m thinking about buying an ATC and only bringing the 10x. Thoughts?

 

[cq0302]

I will caveat, trophy quality is not a concern on this hunt. One of my buddies lives in the area and the other one it will be his first real deer hunt period, so getting him a deer is the priority. He became a lawyer after the corps so we will be on a short timeline

 

[Hnthrdr]

Headed to Idaho rifle mule deer this fall. In past I’ve always rocked a maven 10x and 15x, normally I haven’t worried about ton about weight but we are planning to hike a good ways into the frank, I’m thinking about buying an ATC and only bringing the 10x. Thoughts?

As long as you aren’t trying to really field judge over a mile or need to see a frame closer to 2 miles it’s a great set up, saw your stated goal, that would work great. Heck you could probably leave a spotter at home if you are looking for any deer

 

[Firehawk]

Having both, the 14’s are not the best hand held and the 8s have a FOV that seems like you can see behind you with them.

Dude! Your comment about the FOV being so big you can see behind you made me laugh. I don't even have the NLs, but run the 8.5 ELs and feel very similarly about them. Looking through them is like just sitting down and seeing everything at 8.5x closer. Love them. And love the "visual" (pun intended) of seeing behind you.

 

[Firehawk]

Headed to Idaho rifle mule deer this fall. In past I’ve always rocked a maven 10x and 15x, normally I haven’t worried about ton about weight but we are planning to hike a good ways into the frank, I’m thinking about buying an ATC and only bringing the 10x. Thoughts?

Sounds like a great set up. ATC with a good bino is a great combination.

 

[MontanaMuley]

I ran the stc and 10x42s all season and it was an excellent setup for my style of hunting.