Many would agree that the first step towards a successful hunting trip is spotting the game. However, the naked eye is not strong enough to see an animal at a long distance. This makes high-quality hunting optics an important part of your field equipment for many reasons.
The Importance of Quality Hunting Optics
First and foremost, tactical optics can help you get a clearer view of what’s in the open. Premium hunting optics offer exceptional magnification, allowing you to spot your game with ease, even in dawn/dusk conditions.
Next, hunting optics provide a wider field of view. A field of view is the amount of view you see through your scope from right to left at that distance. A larger field of view facilitates target identification and allows you to see more of your surroundings.
Another great benefit of using shooting optics is improved accuracy. You'll be able to aim for the exact location of the animal's body with greater accuracy and clarity. This is important since any severe harm can prevent you from harvesting further flesh and other edible parts from the animal.
Last but not least, high-quality hunting optics aren't just for spotting your target—they're also quite useful for recognising particular species, estimating their size, age, and gender, and determining other details about your game, such as what's beyond them or possible obstacles. This is important if you want to make the most ethical choice in the forest.
Types of Hunting Optics
Binoculars are one of the most important pieces of hunting gear. They bring subjects that are far away into clear view, helping hunters make calculated hunting decisions. Quality hunting binoculars shouldn't become foggy quickly. After a day of wear, they shouldn't hurt your eyes. Even if you use them in the evening when the sun is low on the horizon, they need to be free of glare.
Typically, a description of binoculars consists of two numbers divided by an x. For example, binoculars may be marketed as 8x32, 10x40, or 12x50. Magnification is indicated by the first digit, which comes before the x. The objective diameter is indicated by the number that comes after the x. Usually, this is expressed in millimetres.
Spotting scopes are another popular type of tactical optics that provide enlarged images of distant objects. Unlike binoculars, they have a singular eyepiece that you look through. Although they provide better vision than binoculars, spotting scopes are less portable because they are larger and work best when mounted on a tripod.
There are two main types of spotting scopes, angled and straight tubed. While both offer a clear picture of distant objectives, each has its advantages and disadvantages. For instance, a straight spotting scope is more appropriate for novices or those who must observe from confined locations, such as a moving car. Also, due to their shape, straight-tubed spotting scopes are more compact and easier to pack and carry. However, the strain that comes from extending your neck each time you gaze through a straight spotting scope is its major drawback.
An angled spotting scope, on the other hand, is a more convenient solution when observing objects at elevated positions, as it eliminates strain on the neck and back. However, one of the biggest downsides to an angled spotting scope is that novice users may initially find it challenging to operate. Also, Using an angled spotting scope in the rain or snow can be challenging as you need to cover the eyepiece in between glassing to avoid blurry images.
Riflescopes are a type of optical device designed to be mounted on your weapon when hunting. Using a riflescope increases accuracy significantly compared to shooting and aiming with the naked eye. Nowadays, you can find various riflescopes that can be used in different hunting situations.
General hunting scopes, for instance, are good enough for everyday target shooting and hunts. These scopes usually pack the standard 3-9x magnification, sufficient to make the most out of your hunting experience. Target and competition riflescopes on the other hand provide better magnification and finer scope adjustments to facilitate accurate small-target shooting at various ranges.
Next, if you are hunting in low-light conditions, it's important to be equipped with a specially designed night vision riflescope. Night vision riflescopes can detect targets and elevate your accuracy in all scenarios such as dusk, dawn or even midnight hunting. Also, most of these devices have built-in recording features allowing you to document your night hunting adventures with ease.
Finally, choosing the right shopping optics depends on your hunting needs and styles. For instance, a scope with a higher magnification and a large objective diameter is a great choice if you often hunt long distances in open areas. On the other hand, binoculars with a wide viewing angle will be more appropriate if you hunt in densely forested places.
