Duck hunting is a popular activity for many people. While the reasons someone may love duck hunting can vary, there are some things that are generally common among all duck hunters. Enthusiasts take great pride in their ability to bag these birds. However, in order to be successful, duck hunters need the right tools – including quality binoculars.
Whether it’s the camaraderie among friends, the challenge of the hunt, or simply getting out in nature, duck hunting has something to offer everyone. Ducks can run away if they smell the presence of danger. It is important to have pair of binoculars to keep an active eye on them before shooting them from distance.
So, Are you in the market for a new set of binoculars specifically for duck hunting? If so, you’re in luck! In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the best binoculars for duck hunting – so, it’s time to get geared up for duck season!
I know that choosing pair of binoculars is vital to get most of your outdoor activities. But when it comes to hunting, small mistakes mistake in buying decisions can make your binoculars a piece of trash. In the below section, I am going to give some useful advice that will help you in choosing the right and suitable pair of binos for duck hunting.
Binoculars with magnification of 8x or 10x are suitable for duck hunting. Higher magnifications may make it difficult to keep the image stable and find your target quickly. When you make the mistake of choosing optics with very higher magnification power, then you won’t be able to focus perfectly.
Since duck hunting often involves being near or in water, it’s important to choose binoculars that are waterproof and fog proof to ensure clear viewing even in harsh weather conditions.
A wide field of view allows you to quickly locate and follow moving targets (your targeted buck). I recommend you look for binoculars with a field of view of at least 330 feet at 1000 yards.
Hunting involves stalking, running, and jumping and your binoculars will also undergo such harsh situations. I suggest you look for binoculars with a sturdy, rubber-coated exterior to withstand bumps and scrapes while hunting.
List of Best Binoculars for Duck Hunting, Waterfowl & Geese
Before drilling down, it is important for us to guide you about the criteria that we followed to choose the binoculars for duck hunting. The field of view, magnification strength, durability, and ease of useability are some factors that we have kept in mind while writing this article. Hopefully, you will find your perfect match for the next duck hunting season!
Nikon knows the mantra of producing optical instruments, and they never put a step wrong. I’m sure you’ve used Nikon items at some point in your life. Nikon cameras are the most famous.
Nikon started producing binoculars that are ruling the world right now. The Nikon 7576 Monarch binoculars are one example of those top-notch binoculars.
Waterproof: Whether you use them inland or in water, they are equally good everywhere. Hunters don’t only stay on the dry ground; sometimes they have to go through watery surfaces. These binoculars are waterproof and can be used almost everywhere. Their quality of withstanding water will never disappoint you.
Extreme usage: They come with a rubber body that is not too fragile and long laster for the intense hunting experience
Fog proof: Hunters can have fun in foggy weather as this binocular will not get any misty spots on the glass. The image will be crystal clear in fog.
Weight: Nikon 7576 Monarch binos are not heavy, and hunters can carry them with their neck straps. It is effortless to keep them close to your body while stalking.
Coating: They have multi-coated lenses and glasses that enhance the transmittance of light and make the image a brighter picture
Types: Both 8×42 and 10×42 types are available. It’s totally up to your requirements which you need for your hunting.
These are decent options in an affordable pricing range. Their life depends on how you use them and the care you take. These binoculars can even be used for extreme hunting.
2- Barska Blackhawk Optics – ideal for Duck Hunting
They fall in our best-budget binoculars category due to their low cost. Everyone from poor to rich can afford these hunting binos. They are multi-purpose as hunting and birding can be done through them.
Many people don’t afford to buy separate binoculars for hunting and birding. So, they look to purchase multi-tasking binos. We tried hard to find the best affordable binoculars for them. They are the best 10×42 binoculars for both birding and hunting.
Handling: Barska Blackhawk binoculars provide a firm grip and are very good to handle in the hunting field. They have a diamond textured surface that helps in gripping solid.
Shockproof: These binoculars are nitrogen purged and sealed perfectly to enhance shockproofing. During hunting, a stalker comes across different conditions. So, pressure can be on binoculars. But these binos have enough strength to bear all the load and provide reasonable strength.
Coating: These binoculars come with multi-coating; that’s why they provide a clear crystal view of the targeted object.
Bonus: As a bonus, the buyers will get follow stuff for free
Carrying case
Neck strap
Lens cloth
Pros
Shockproof
Robust
longevity
Affordable pricing
Excellent handling
Cons
They are pefect and we failed to find any fault in these binoculars
They are my all-time favorites due to their pricing. Suppose you don’t like it, it still doesn’t matter as these binoculars are not costly. Save your bucks and buy them.
3- Bushnell Trophy Roof binoculars
All those hunters who have spent enough time in the hunting field know the credibility of the Bushnell brand. Working for years, Bushnell has given many fantastic hunting binoculars. Bushnell Trophy Roof binoculars are one of the best optics produced by the Bushnell brand.
Roof prism: Bushnell trophy roof binoculars use roof prism. We have already discussed a roof prism in our article named what do the numbers mean in binoculars. Roof prism in binoculars provides an ultra-bright image with solid clarity.
Waterproof: These binoculars are waterproof and can be used for all outdoor activities. Even if they get wet, they won’t deteriorate.
Fog proof: They are 100% fog proof. When we say fog proof, it means that the glass of binoculars won’t get misty in extreme moisture.
Eye relief: We discussed eye relief and its importance in previous guides. Bushnell provides 15.2 millimeters of optimal eye relief.
Harness: It comes with a binocular harness that helps in carrying your binoculars in the hunting field. With the help of a binocular harness, your binoculars remain close to you. You don’t have to hang it with your neck strap.
Coating: Their lenses and glasses are multi-coated. Multi-coating provides maximum transmittance of light resulting in a sharper and brighter image.
Durability: It is very much durable due to its rubber-armored body. It can bear shocks and pressure that a hunter comes across in the field.
It is the best budget binocular that can be used for all outdoor activities especially hunting. If your budget is low and you still want the Bushnell brand, then you will have to compromise on the built quality.
4- Vortex Optics Diamondback HD Optics – Optimal for Waterfowl and Geese Hunting
You might have done some research to pick the best hunting binoculars. If you’ve done so, you will have the idea of the Vortex brand in the binoculars world. Vortex produced Diamondback HD binoculars, which are currently top-rated hunting binoculars with very few flaws. Diamondback HD binocular has all types and sizes. The following sizes of hunting binoculars are available.
08×42
10×28
10×32
10×42
10×50
12×50
15×56
08×28
08×32
It depends on what kind of binos you need. Buy, one that suits your needs.
Resolution: Vortex Optics Diamondback HD binos provide better resolution, cut chromatic aberration, and color fidelity
Coating: These binoculars have multiple coating layers that enhance the image quality. They also use a dielectric coating that brings the standard to the next level.
Eyecup adjustments: It has flexible eyecups that can be twisted up and down to see the best view of the target.
Body: Its body consists of rubber. The rubber armor provides strength to the binoculars, making them robust. They are very much capable of bearing external pressure.
Argon purging: Argon purging and a strong o-ring seal enhance the sealing of this binocular. Due to o ring sealing, these binoculars are waterproof fog proof.
It is the best budget binocular that can be used for all outdoor activities especially hunting. If your budget is low and you still want the Bushnell brand, then you will have to compromise on the built quality.
5- Carson 3D waterproof binoculars
These are middle-range binoculars with ED glass that enhance the sharpness and provide a brighter image. Due to ED glasses, these binoculars can even be used in dim conditions.
Are you searching for an excellent cheap binocular for hunting?
If yes! Don’t read this section further. These are costly hunting binoculars that won’t suit your budget. But if you have a reasonable budget and are looking to buy premium binoculars, go for them.
Waterproof: Like any other binoculars, they also have water resistance quality. Even if you put these binos in a tub of water, they won’t deteriorate.
Fogproof: Are you from a foggy area where weather is unpredictable, and fog is always around the corner? If it is the condition, they are the best choice for you as they provide a clear image in the mist. The glasses don’t get fog on them.
Eye relief: In previous articles, we focused on field view and proved that those who wear glasses must choose hunting binoculars with high eye relief. These binoculars have an eye relief of 16mm, which is optimal.
Durability: Strong body ensures the durability and longevity of binoculars. They also have a rubber-armored body perfect to bear external pressure. Their solid body helps them stand out.
Weight: To be honest, they are heavy hunting binoculars. Carson 3D waterproof hunting binoculars are suitable for those who seldom use binoculars. We don’t recommend it for a daily stalking routine due to their weight.
Carson 3D Series binoculars are expensive but high-quality and work fine in every condition. Whether you use them in foggy weather or darker conditions, they will never disappoint you.
6- Nikon 8248 Duck Hunting Binoculars
Are you from those areas where clouds are always on the head and light remains dim? If yes, these Nikon optics are going to help you to see the targeted objects clearer and brighter than ever before. The 50 mm size of the objective lens is more than enough to capture more light even in a darker environment.
During testing, we found out that their image quality is up to the mark and can easily beat any standard binoculars. The major reason for their outstanding visuals is the Anti-reflective multi-coating lens and the bak-4 prism which reduce the production of glare and increase the transmission of light, making the image sharper and more vibrant.
The turn-and-slide rubber eyecups help to maneuver the eye relief. It becomes handier if you aim to use your optics for a whole day in the field. The ease of useability of these optics makes them the best binoculars for duck and waterfowl hunting.
The major drawback of these optics is their non-useability in rain. No matter, if it is a heavy or mild shower, using them, can damage their interior components. They are not water-resistant and fog can go inside and make the lenses foggier.
Hang them around the neck or put them in your pocket, you will never be annoyed by their weight and size. The build quality is up to the mark and you will never be disappointed as the rubber armor material gives them enough strength.
The body is coated with rubber which helps in increasing the grip on them. You will also enjoy the luxury of additional accessories like neck straps and lens covers.
They are not water and fog-proof which makes them an ordinary choice when compared with previous binoculars. If you are not going to use them in rain then you can buy them and they will be the best duck-hunting binoculars at affordable pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of prism is best for duck hunting binoculars?
I always recommend everyone choose a roof prism for duck hunting binoculars. The reason is that Binoculars with roof prisms are more durable and provide a more compact design.
Do I need to look for extra features like image stabilization in binoculars for duck hunting?
Image stabilization is not a necessary feature for duck hunting, however, but it can be useful if you plan on using the binoculars for extended periods of time.
Is it necessary to have binoculars with a tripod adaptor for duck hunting?
No, not at all. I don’t recommend you use a tripod stand for hunting ducks as it will kill the portability feature of your binos.
Conclusion
Duck hunting can be a fun and rewarding experience when done with your friends and family. But the proper price of equipment must be in your bag to make sure that you don’t miss your target by using binoculars. You can increase your chances of success while duck hunting using the perfect pair of binoculars
After doing complete research and testing, we are in a position to say that choosing any optics reviewed above will I’ve you optimal results. We hope that this article will educate you on finding binoculars for duck hunting. Have a great hunt!
I am Richard from Michigan, and who has a craze for hunting. I have been around optics especially binoculars since 2001 and have gotten decent experience while using them to hunt. I have made this website to share my experience with those who are new in the field. My guides & reviews will help my readers to get in-depth information about binoculars. Let’s hunt for binoculars NOW!
