I’ve killed a lot of deer over the years without using a pair of binoculars. However, I plan to use a pair of binoculars for the majority of my future deer hunts.
You don’t need a pair of binoculars to kill a deer. Nevertheless, they will help you see things that the naked eye can’t which leads to more successful hunts over the long run.
Being able to see far distances and through thick vegetation will help your decision-making during the hunt. For example, if you spot a buck far away it’s easy to misjudge the size of its rack. Binoculars make it easier to determine if the buck is worth spending time and effort pursuing.
A pair of binoculars makes it possible to see and focus through brush and vegetation. This allows hunters to scan the woods for deer movement and read a deer’s body language through thick cover.
I can’t stress that last point enough, so here are three reasons why it’s so important. First, we want to be able to see a deer early enough to decide if we want to shoot it. Second, we want to be able to read a deer’s body language to anticipate how it’s going to move or respond to calling. And third, we want to give ourselves plenty of time to prepare for the shot.
Pros and Cons of deer hunting with binoculars
Pros
- Easy to use and focus
- See more deer
- See deer more clearly
- See better in low light conditions
- Increased depth perception
- Increased odds of hunting success
- They can last a lifetime (Only buy one time)
Cons
- Expensive
- Extra stuff to carry
- Peripheral vision is reduced
- Some models aren’t waterproof
- Some models have lenses that fog up easily
What kind of binoculars do you need for deer hunting?
There are several considerations to think about when buying binoculars. The main ones are magnification, field of view, lens coating, waterproofing, weight, and price.
Also, you should consider the type of hunting you’ll be doing. Are you mainly a spot-and-stalk hunter, looking for deer at far distances? Or are you hunting within thick timber where it’s difficult to see more than 100 yards? Or perhaps you’re like me and looking for pair of binoculars that will work well in a variety of different hunting situations.
I know how difficult it can be to choose the exact pair of binoculars to buy. So, let me help you simplify things.
First, don’t buy a cheap pair of binoculars. I suggest not buying a pair of binoculars under $100. The price of binoculars ranges from twenty dollars to several thousands of dollars. Most deer hunters only need to purchase binoculars once in their lifetime, so do it right the first time. For deer hunting, a good pair of binoculars will likely be in the $200 dollar range.
Second, I suggest deer hunters to buy binoculars that have an 8×42 magnification. This provides an optimal field of view for most hunting situations. The only time I would suggest 10×42 magnification is if you were solely using binoculars to spot deer from far distances or from a road.
Third, buy from a reputable company that uses the best materials and has a lifetime warranty. I buy all my optics from Vortex because of these reasons. They are an industry leader in optics, and they will repair or replace your binoculars if they get damaged at no cost to you.s
Best deer binoculars for the money
I would be doing you an injustice if I provided a long list of binoculars for you to choose from. You should only have to buy one pair of binoculars in your lifetime if you do it right.
With that being said, I recommend buying the Vortex Diamondback HD Binoculars.
These binoculars are not only the best binoculars for the money, but they are also the best all-around binoculars for deer hunting and check off all the boxes I mentioned earlier in this article.
They come with a no BS lifetime warranty at no extra cost, which means they will last forever if you don’t lose them. A price that is well worth the money for any deer hunter.
Conclusion
You don’t need a pair of binoculars to shoot a deer, but they can increase your odds of hunting success. They also make hunts more enjoyable by being able to see more deer and see them clearly.
Lastly, if you’re going to spend money on binoculars for deer hunting, make sure you buy a pair that will last a lifetime and come with a lifetime warranty.