At the advice of many of you, I picked up a pair of binocs recently. Figured it would be fun for bird watching but could double for hunting purposes. I'm curious how some of you carry your glass while hunting -- both still hunting and while in a blind or stand. I haven't tried it yet but it seems like if they're anywhere on my chest, they risk getting whacked by a bowstring. So how do you you carry your binocs in the field?
I love the Binopac harness. Keeps em on the chest.
Harness here too. I like one the covers the nockers like my S4 vs having to remove the caps Everytime.
In the pocket of my safari tuff quiver or in my cargo pants side pocket, or back pack. Sometimes with a long, skinny string, strung diagonally across my torso with binoculars under my armpit.
I use a bino strap I got from LL Bean sometimes, but I also have a Binox pouch from Rancho Safari that works well. It keeps them clean, and doubles as video camera carrier if I want. It does not get in the way of my bowstring. I put it on over my lifejacket on the water, and it keeps them close at hand.
I use the tenzing single sling archery day pack where there's a pouch on the right side waist strap for binoculars. Pretty handy and out of the way of the string. I've also tried other packs where I attach the binocular case to the right shoulder strap with a loop or a knot, which also works.
Head and drawing arm thru the strap so they ride on my side under my drawing arm.
One thing about binos is that they are often the most underutilized item of equipment by eastern and southern bowhunters in heavier cover. Given the fact that bowhunting is a short distance shot opportunity, the majority of bowhunters neglect using them. However, hunting is hunting to locate, identify, and observe and pattern the animals we hunt.
Even in thick vegetation and close quarters binos provide exceptional attention to detail that is useful in identifying, confirming or denying visual inputs, and recovering animals. I wear mine protected in a FHF chest harness with my range finder on the chest strap beside the binos secured with a coiled lanyard. Recently began using a range finder despite being an instinctive shooter to confirm my effective range with a trad bow (and to verify my limitations) when ranging objects around my stand. They are kept covered and protected yet rapidly available. No problem with shooting the bow, and if I don't put them back in the pocket they hang out of the way close to the pocket. When in a tree stand, I always put them back in the pocket after utilizing them to avoid any swing out as I bend at the waist to shoot.
I really rely on them on western hunts where spotting from high ground and scanning meadows and slopes to locate game is part of the experience, and an ingredient to success. And to select routes and enjoy the many other outdoor observations and views associated with the hunt.
I feel naked without a set of binos on my chest. I use a bino harness and have never had an issue shooting with them on. I use 8x25 clear up to 10x42's and all stay out of the way to shoot as long as they are adjusted correctly.
I use a short strap of my own making and wear them on my chest. There's just enough room for the glasses to clear my chin and nose when I bring them to my eyes. No harness or case. The short strap minimizes movement when I bend over, the glasses don't interfere with the bow string, and they're right there always ready for immediate use with little movement.
My hunting partner does what Bvas does.
Bino harness for me. I don't go out without them
I use an Alaskan Guide Creations bingo pack love it so far
Bino harness also. I can't remember the bow string ever hitting them.
Harness here as well
Harness for about 20 years now.
I just use a neck strap. Stick then inside my shirt or jacket to keep them out of the way. I never liked the bino bra.
Bad lads bono harness
Badlands Bino Case Mag for my expensive binoculars. For my inexpensive binos, I use a standard chest harness. The bow string doesn't interfere with my binos at all.
Rick Young Outdoors Chest Harness
Second the Rick Young, best I've found
Yep, RY harness. :thumbsup:
My wife made a leather pouch with a wide belt loop for mine.
I use paracord and adjusted the binos to lay under my left forearm ( I am right handed). I run the string like you would a purse or satchel. When I need them the paracord is a smooth swing up...then drop them. I don't like the bino harnesses because you usually need two hands to use them and when I am out west hunting, my bow is in one hand.
I've tried about everything but something I picked up from a old Alan Altizer video was using a longer strap with my right arm and neck through it , and having the binos ride just above hip level and kinda back on my right side. Really keeps them protected and out of the way but very handy.
Kuiu harness for about 5 years now
I got enough stuff on my chest. I let them ride under my left armpit on their strap.
BTW, I finally bought the expensive glass two years ago. Best money I have spent, aside from good tents.
Killdeer
I've tried about all the harnesses. I went back ti the factory strap with a head and arm through for arm pit carry.
I have had about every style bino harness and pack. Any more I use Rick Young's simple harness. It is light and hugs the bino's close to the body for better movement. Never had a problem with any harness or pack getting whacked by the string.
Based on a previous thread and research since I will be using a Rick Young harness this season.
...Alan Altizer videos? Anyone know where I can get a copy of "Whitetail Eye to Eye"?
The best $30.00 you will ever spend
Ive ran Crooked Horn for years, a Rick Young harness for a season, then realized I hated all the bouncing and swinging around that type of sling allows, and went to a chest pack. Specificly a Kuiu, but have tried several. I hunt in HOT weather here in Kalifornia, sometimes 110 degrees or so, wanted something lighterweight but still secure, and the Kuiu's are pretty good. Badlands and Alaska Guide Creations are tops as well.
The Rick Young harness (which I still have) is good but Im just tired of my binos moving around, which they will do and it's annoying.
Rick Young all the way! You can carry it multiple ways on top of that IF your binoc is set up for tripod mount I HIGHLY suggest Vortex binoc locks. They no longer make but you can stil find them on auction sites. Absolute necessity for binocs in my humble opinion.
I normally carry them in a backpack. I only carry them when I'm sitting. When still hunting they just get in the way for me.
Kuiu chest harness.
Like a possibles bag or how,a,women carries a purse. Under my right arm close,to my waiste.
Alaska guide creations
lower left cargo pocket, sometimes I don't even realize me left hand is already coming up to my eyes with my binos, before even thinking about reaching down.
I don't like stuff hanging off me when I'm hunting.
on some long 550 cord over one shoulder and my head so cord is at angle across chest...bino on right side since I am right handed and carry bow in left hand. 550 lets me grab binos and slide them up to my eyes without snagging cloth or other gear...then they slide back down to just above my hip area when not in use...
I have a light weight pair of Zeiss around my neck resting inside my partially unbuttoned shirt. Always available and easy to get to. Found this to be easier than using a harness which I also own. :campfire:
Just like Mr. Turner - hanging inside my partially opened outer layer.
Alaska Guide Creation CUB harness keeps my 12x50's secure and there is no interference when shooting.
Factory strap. Armpit carry or tucked in shirt depending on shirt. No way im putting on a harness as my pack and binos are on and off all day.
I don't hunt without my binoculars. I use them all the time. The best way I have found is with a harness and BinoBib. They are always with me and I have never had any problem with string contact.
Harness for me too...
I rig mine like Orion, short neck strap that is just big enough to get over my head. Binos hang very high on my chest and can be pulled up to my eyes very easily and with limited movement.
I also have a Rick Young harness for another pair of slightly heavier Binos and am quite pleased with it.
My Binos have never interfered with my bow string and I always have them with me.
A buddy of mine picked me up one of Barry Wensels monostrap:
http://www.brothersofthebow.com/html/monostrap.html
I like it.... :thumbsup:
As rarely as possible!!! Most of the time they just get in my way and are heavy!
Bisch