By Paul Neess

Not all hunters understand how to properly use their optics. Too often, hunters will only use their binoculars to identify something they've already spotted with their eyes. This is a mistake ! If you can continously use your binos to search and look and peer through undergrowth, you'll be amazed how often you'll see something you would have missed otherwise. You'll learn to see a leg, a tip of an antler or colors that belong to an animal. You'll find that movement almost always tips you off to game. 

Many times while glassing I've spotted shapes that I was reasonably sure were animals, but couldn't quite tell. The key is waiting and watching for movement. Now, if you think it's a bedded animal that isn't going to move anytime soon it's time to grab the spotting scope. Just be sure you don't lose track of where the object is at ! Before I ever pull my binos off something like this, I'll always pick some distinctive object near it that will allow me to find it again in my spotting scope. Most experienced western hunters know that glassing is the key to a succesful western hunt, but it must be done correctly to take full advantage. This is an activity that requires great patience. 

You should be prepared to glass from a particular location for hours if necessary, or even days sometimes. It is also very important to hold your binoculars as steady as possible while glassing. Even a tiny wiggle or tremor may cause you to miss a bedded or motionless animal. Tricks like bracing elbows on knees, touching your fingertips on your hat or forehead, and a comfortable back supported sitting position will all help. You can even mount your binoculars on a tripod if you don't mind lugging one along. 

Learn to take advantage of the suns position - a low evening sun behind you will give you amazing lighting on a mountainside and make game stand out. I will usually try to plan my glassing locations to take advantage of the best sun position in morning and evening.

Buying the best quality optics you can afford will allow you to spend the greatest possible time with them pressed to your eyes. Poor quality will lead to eyestrain and headaches, and you won't spend as much time glassing. You've probably heard the old statement about fishing that says to catch fish, you need to have your line in the water - well, you wont find the game unless that binocular is at your eyes and not hanging on your chest. 

Poor quality optics are simply no fun to use, and they'll spend more time just dangling from your neck.. In the long run, you'll probably save money buying better quality initially and saving yourself trading up repeatedly - and in the meantime you'll find more game.