By Zach Lazzari
At Table Mountain Outfitters, we hunt antelope, mule deer and elk using a variety of techniques. The optics we use will often depend on the hunting scenario and general approach to each individual species. Our guided hunters always have multiple sets of eyes of the terrain, and our guides are experts at locating game in this terrain. But it helps to have your own optics, and it’s simply more fun when you’re able to help locate game, field judge and plan stalks.
When selecting your optics for a big game hunt in Wyoming, here are a few things to keep in mind.
OPTICS FOR ANTELOPE HUNTS
Our archery antelope hunts primarily utilize ground blinds. Meanwhile, guided rifle hunts for antelope are spot-and-stalk endeavors. These two styles of pronghorn hunting call for two extremely different optics platforms.
Ground Blind Archery Antelope Hunting
Hunting from a ground blind means close-range opportunities. In these situations, a compact set of binoculars will help you field judge bucks as they approach watering holes from a distance. The need to see long distances is usually not a big issue on blind hunts and therefore, a spotting scope would normally be overkill. Instead, pack a set of 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars on your archery antelope hunt. If you’re comfortable shooting your bow with a binocular chest harness, this may be fine. But in the confined space of a ground blind, it may be better to keep your binoculars off your body but within reach.
Spot and Stalk Antelope Hunting
Spot and stalk antelope hunts are a much different game. On these hunts, you’ll want a quality set of binoculars and a tripod for steady glassing. On these hunts, 10×42 or 12×50 binoculars can be helpful for long-distance glassing in open country. A
Your guide will have a spotting scope, so it’s not required for hunters to bring one. Although many hunters choose to bring a spotter on their guided hunt. Judging and watching these animals from a distance can be a lot of fun. Having a window mount adapter for the spotting scope can be useful while driving ranch roads as well.
Every antelope hunt requires a quality rangefinder. In this open country, distances can be deceiving. Therefore, it’s helpful for archery and rifle hunters to carry a reliable, lightweight and compact rangefinder. Consider a binocular chest harness that also allows you to add a rangefinder for quick access.
OPTICS FOR MULE DEER HUNTS
Mule deer populations are excellent on Table Mountain properties and a good set of binoculars will make finding them easier. For spotting mule deer in relatively open country, we recommend either 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars. For these hunts, keeping your binos handy in a chest carrier with a rangefinder alongside is ideal. Archery hunters especially benefit from the quick access and mobility in this setup. On rifle hunts, having a tripod with an adapter for your binos is very helpful for steady glassing.
Keeping a spotting scope on a tripod is also common during mule deer hunts. You will spend a significant amount of time glassing with binoculars to find active or bedded bucks. After pinning them down, the spotting scope becomes helpful for field judging and planning the stalk. Generally, you won’t need to haul the spotting scope around in your pack but it doesn’t hurt to have a mobile system ready just in case.
OPTICS FOR ELK HUNTS
Elk hunts are similar to mule deer hunts in terms of optics requirements. Archery elk hunts are up close and personal. Keep binoculars and rangefinder handy in a chest carrier while on the move. You may bring a spotting scope in the truck for locating elk. But then when moving into position and using calling techniques to draw them in close, you won’t need to carry a spotter in your backpack.
During rifle season, optics are useful for spotting elk from a distance and planning an approach. They may not be responsive to calls during this season, which means you will spend more time behind the glass to locate animals and plan a careful stalk. On all of our elk hunts, an 8×42 or 10×42 binocular is recommended.
CONTACT US WITH QUESTIONS
If you’d like to learn more about our guided Wyoming hunts, please feel free to explore the rest of our website. For availability and other specifics, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you begin to plan your ideal western big game hunting adventure!
