Bino's or Spotting scope for mulies?

[Bean Counter]

. At least half the animals I have killed the last 5 years or so wouldn't have died without good glass

Proper scouting is a part of this equation. If I know Im going to a good area I pretty much just have my morning hike. Yes its tough climbing up that ridiculously tall mountain but when I can see every thing from up there its just a matter if being patient and hiking back down to kill me an animal once he beds down. Not exactly what I consider hiking around all day with heavy glass around my neck. Im giving away too many of my secrets on this one.

[chukar hunter]

One more vote for the binos here.  Don't leave home without them!

I recommend the Nikon Monarch 10 x 56 for Open Country Archery Mulies.  Waterproof and fogproof.  They weigh more than the 8x, but worth it.  These have a good exit pupil(divide the second number by the first)  The larger the number, the better low light operation.  I've never used a spotter, but feel I'd get impatient having to set up a tripod and then the scope.  More mobile with the binos.   

[jjhunter]

If you can only buy on at this time, buy a good pair of 10x42 or 10x50 binoculars.   This is your MOST critical piece of gear.   You can make do without the others, but not without a great pair of glasses for "around the neck."

I started with a pair of Swaro 10x50 SLCs and an STS 65 spotter.   Moved to a pair of 10x42 Els, a pair of tripod mounted 15x56 SLCs, and an STS 80 HD.  I am currently using a Zeiss RF 10x45 for "around the neck", a Swarovision 12x50 (tripod mounted) and my STS 80 HD.   I pack all three, all the time.   I believe that my current combination is the best that money can buy at the moment.   

A good pair of tripod mounted 15s or the new 12x50 Swarovsion really increase your ability to spot game when mated with a high-quality tripod and head!

[TeacherMan]

Depends on the country, if you can only get one start with good binos. I like my 10x42 Leupolds. In timber country you will never need more than that. If you get out into the sage flats or open plains or wheat a nice spotting scope is great. Cheap spotting scopes are horrible! The cheapest one I would use is the Leupold Kenai. Its still almost $800  All the cheaper ones I've used have just been a pain.

[predatorpro]

i like to use binos way easier to carry and if you can spot horns on a buck at 1200 yards with binos its a good chance its probly legal and worth making the hike to find out...spotting scopes are only nice if you have already spotted a deer with your binos and want to get a closer look....just my 

[ORBowHunter]

Thanks, that's pretty helpful.  My budget is probably around $1000-$1200 at the most.  I just can't justify the expense of $2500 binos.   I'm in very good shape, so climbing up those steep ridges is not anything that bothers me or would hold me back.  I"m planning on making 2-3 scouting trips this summer over to the Eagle caps, so will hopefully be dialed in on something before my first trip.  Thanks for the advice fellas, can't wait to post some pics this fall of how the binos' did!   

[ORBowHunter]

Proper scouting is a part of this equation. If I know Im going to a good area I pretty much just have my morning hike. Yes its tough climbing up that ridiculously tall mountain but when I can see every thing from up there its just a matter if being patient and hiking back down to kill me an animal once he beds down. Not exactly what I consider hiking around all day with heavy glass around my neck. Im giving away too many of my secrets on this one.
[/quote]

   I live for big ridiculously tall mountains!  I'm pretty nimble and in good shape. So which mountain exactly are you referring to?      

Thanks for the advice.

[SemperFidelis97]

I use both for the open county we hunt I can fit my 60mm Leupold Gold Ring in my backpack with the tripod, and I have a pair of Zen Ray ED2s I keep around my neck.  In my opinion if you are going to be scanning a large area for long periods of time from one vantage point than you need a spotter.  Often times I am looking over a mile, or more of area so I will scan with my binos, and really pick apart stuff with my spotter.  The extra magnification can be huge when looking into some thick sage from a long ways out if may mean picking out an antler that you never knew was there with your binos.

[Pathfinder101]

My Zen Ray Binos were reasonably priced and I am thrilled with them.  About $400 for the 8X43s.  That leaves about $600 in your budget to go on Ebay and find a good, used Leupold Golden Ring Spotting scope (that's what I did, and that's how much I paid for it). 

[halflife65]

Go with good binos first.  You will ALWAYS on every hunt use them.  A spotter is pretty necessary but is secondary to the binos.

Always buy the very best you can afford.  You can avoid the dizziness and headache with quality glass, as well.

Pathfinder's advice is pretty good.  Those Leupold's are pretty good scopes.

[ORBowHunter]

Thanks for the advice.  Sounds like maybe I should also find a hunting partner, who has a spotter as well, that could solve half my problems!   

Worst case scenario I think, is that I'll just wait until next season, and save up for a good spotter to add to the equipment list.  Looks like this year I'll be going for bino's.

Thanks for all the input everyone, it's much appreciated.

--Devon

Go with good binos first.  You will ALWAYS on every hunt use them.  A spotter is pretty necessary but is secondary to the binos.

Always buy the very best you can afford.  You can avoid the dizziness and headache with quality glass, as well.

Pathfinder's advice is pretty good.  Those Leupold's are pretty good scopes.

[huntnphool]

Swaro EL's with a tripod mount are the ticket. You can look through them all day long without eye fatigue. 

I pack both bono and spotter though, like others have mentioned once you spot with binos it's nice to dial it up before making a unnecessary hike.

[MtnMuley]

One piece I never leave the rig without:  10x42 EL's.  During most general seasons, I frame and mass hunt, and these alone work fine for that.

[huntnphool]

One piece I never leave the rig without:  10x42 EL's.

+1

[Craig]

Good set of binos for sure. A spotting scope will save you a lot of time and hiking by being able to tell from far away if the animal is worth going after.