Just like a gun, having a good pair of binoculars is essential when taking part in any kind of hunting. Having hunting binoculars with you in the field will allow you to view your surroundings in more detail, and ultimately locate the animals that you are there to hunt. Binoculars will also help you get closer to your target, confirm that you are hunting the correct species and determine more specific information such as the sex and size of your prey. Like most pieces of outdoor gear, there is a wide range of binoculars on the market – all of different quality and features.
Magnification
Also called ‘power’, magnification is the first number in a binocular model. It is one of the most important choices you’ll make when buying hunting binoculars. For example, an 8 x 42 binocular model has a magnification of 8x. This means that the object you are looking at will appear 8 times larger or closer than if you did with bare eyes.

When purchasing your new binoculars, you may be tempted to choose a model with the highest magnification. However, that doesn’t have to necessarily mean that that’s the ideal model for you. Actually, the best binoculars for hunting are generally models with a lower magnification of 8x or 10x.
- They provide a more stable and clearer image as they are less affected by slight hand movements;
- They provide a wide field of view – this makes it easier to scope out targets;
- They provide a brighter image – vital when hunting at dusk or dawn;
- They provide an optimal amount of eye relief – there is a large enough distance between your eye and the eyepiece to wear spectacles if necessary.
Lenses
