The 1 Thing You Learned- Glassing Smarter

[Oregon Hunter]

Knowing how and when to Cherry pick is a good skill to have

No kidding. As much as I love reading and watching hunting shows, the most valuable info I ever get is by hunting an area with someone who has done it for a long time. They will dramatically shorten the learning curve on where those spots to cherry pick are

 

[Oregon Hunter]

We’ve had an outstanding response from all of you on these “1 Thing You Learned” series. I just created a new forum thread about hard lessons learned about choosing scopes for hunting.

Head over to this link if you’d like to share one thing you learned about scopes, horror stories, or want to learn a secret for making the most out of your hard work in the field!

 

[fatrascal]

A butt pad or cushion sure helps keep you comfy and dry. Fatrascal.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

A butt pad or cushion sure helps keep you comfy and dry. Fatrascal.

Great idea! Little tips like that add up and keep us in the zone longer

 

[dmike]

A butt pad or cushion sure helps keep you comfy and dry. Fatrascal.

THIS. Build a comfortable/stable position to glass in. The more comfortable I am, the longer I will be willing to stay in a spot and pick it apart. A butt pad, tripod, and correctly focusing your optics all play into being more comfortable.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

THIS. Build a comfortable/stable position to glass in. The more comfortable I am, the longer I will be willing to stay in a spot and pick it apart. A butt pad, tripod, and correctly focusing your optics all play into being more comfortable.

You're right on the money. Since I started using our Sentinel tripod with the ability to easily swap between Optics and rifle, I've been more comfortable in the field. Obviously I'm biased, but it's less about the brand of gear and more about being able to keep everything set up within arms reach and not wasting time shuffling your kit around. Especially when we finally spot something!

 

[wapiti-warren]

Are tripods only required for binos with magnifications over 10x? I have 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks, and don't understand the benefit of putting them on a tripod.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Are tripods only required for binos with magnifications over 10x? I have 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks, and don't understand the benefit of putting them on a tripod.

Nope.

If you’re glassing, your optics of any magnification and type need to be on a tripod. It’s the only way to keep your optic steady for extended periods of time.

Most folks who claim they’re “glassing” are actually “glancing” or “looking”. There’s a difference.

 

[Huntin_GI]

Are tripods only required for binos with magnifications over 10x? I have 10x42 Vortex Diamondbacks, and don't understand the benefit of putting them on a tripod.

You think you're glassing until you put 10's on a tripod. Then you realize you were just lightly scanning the hillside.

 

[PRC_GUY]

Get high end glass for Binos and spotting scope, patience and patience. Also need a light weight tripod so you can glass longer.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

Nope.

If you’re glassing, your optics of any magnification and type need to be on a tripod. It’s the only way to keep your optic steady for extended periods of time.

Most folks who claim they’re “glassing” are actually “glancing” or “looking”. There’s a difference.

Well said! Just looking is casual glassing, and that's fine, but using a tripod is intentional glassing. You would use a combination of styles for different animals and terrain

 

[Oregon Hunter]

Get high end glass for Binos and spotting scope, patience and patience. Also need a light weight tripod so you can glass longer.

Ready for an absolutely shameless ultra lightweight tripod plug? Our Ascent is a carbon tripod that only weighs only 3.3 lbs. The cool part is it saves you even more weight because takes the place of multiple pieces of gear by screwing apart into trekking poles, big bipod, a tent, and a super stable shooting tripod. I just couldn't resist

 

[MallardSX2]

Look with your eyes first for 5 full minutes before ducking in behind your glass. You might be surprised what you can see with your naked eyes prior to even looking through the glass.

I spot a lot of deer before I even bring the bino's up. Gives me a good starting point.

 

[Oregon Hunter]

Look with your eyes first for 5 full minutes before ducking in behind your glass. You might be surprised what you can see with your naked eyes prior to even looking through the glass.

I spot a lot of deer before I even bring the bino's up. Gives me a good starting point.

It's easy to forget to consciously do that

 

[wapiti-warren]

Look with your eyes first for 5 full minutes before ducking in behind your glass. You might be surprised what you can see with your naked eyes prior to even looking through the glass.

I spot a lot of deer before I even bring the bino's up. Gives me a good starting point.

Do you do the same with binos and spotter? i.e. start with eyes, then binos, then spotter (if applicable)?

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Do you do the same with binos and spotter? i.e. start with eyes, then binos, then spotter (if applicable)?

Most folks use their spotters for confirmations and binoculars/eyes to find the animal or potential animal.

Some lucky SOBs, they're the minority, can effectively glass with their spotting scopes.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Look with your eyes first for 5 full minutes before ducking in behind your glass. You might be surprised what you can see with your naked eyes prior to even looking through the glass.

I spot a lot of deer before I even bring the bino's up. Gives me a good starting point.

Great point. Does help to every so often look around you with your eyes.

 

[MallardSX2]

I dont own a spotter. I only own 15X SLC's.

 

[BBob]

Some lucky SOBs, they're the minority, can effectively glass with their spotting scopes.

I learned to do it out of necessity. Lot's of sheep guides are good at it too. An eye patch is very helpful but I can do it without. With BTX and Twins available now it's not as needed but when weight is a factor the one eye technique is helpful

 

[Brian Fahs]

Get the best optics you can afford or maybe not even responsibly afford and put them on a quality tripod and head. Rock solid mount is a must here.

Get yourself in a very comfortable position and pick out a likely spott for finding game. I have found when my optics are rock solid and I just stare at a spot the slightest movement will pop in my view. I can pan or grid a hill but I usually find game when I'm staring At a likely spot, very seldom wheni am randomly scanning a hillside.

Think about it, when you are walking along and think you see something you immediately stop for a better view. Optics and glassing are no different.