5 Best Binoculars For Shed Hunting in 2024

Many people collect antlers of different animals like deer reindeer elk etc. This hobby of collecting antlers has become very popular over the years. 

It is important to note that collecting the antlers is not an easy job as you will have to follow the animals for a longer period.  But with the right pair of binoculars, this hobby becomes very easy as you can see the animals while sitting in one place with the help of your binoculars. 

However, choosing the right or suitable binoculars is also a daunting task but you don’t need to worry as I have got your back. In this guide, I will give you the list of the best binoculars for shed hunting that will help you collect the antlers and satisfy your mind.

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Reviews & List of Best Binoculars for Shed Hunting

I hope that you’ve got a basic understanding of shed hunting binoculars. I have done some research and tested some binoculars to give you cool options to consider. These binos are well equipped with features and offer perfect performance. There is my effort one week I did research, talked to friends, used, and tested them. So, Let’s dive deeper.

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1- PROSTAFF 3S 10×42 Binoculars

Prostaff is one of the most prominent options for those people who have tight budgets. I like these binos due to their decent visual quality. However, there are a few things that are not good and you should be well aware of them before buying them.

Look, the overall optical performance is fine, but the lowlight usability is something that is concerning. 

I understand that shed hunting requires ideal low-light usability in binos, but you should keep in mind that these binos belong to the budget category so cannot demand more. The coating present on the lenses is not very efficient in reducing the loss of light, so it affects lowlight usability.

One thing that I appreciate is their lightweight and compact size. You will be able to carry them in your pocket, and they won’t cause any problems at all. Weight is also optimal and during using them, you won’t feel tired.

The ease of usability is also decent. The eye relief of 15.7mm is going to give a nice viewing experience even if you wear glasses due to weak vision. Water and fogproofing is also decent – and you would be able to use them in bad weather conditions.

My Personal Opinion

Have a tight budget? If yes, these binos are a good option. Apart from slightly compromised lowlight usability, they are good enough to give you a decent viewing experience. However, if you aim to do shed hunting at night / before dawn, or after dusk, then I don’t recommend you buy them.

2- Vortex Optics Diamondback HD 10×50 Binoculars

If you have some budget then these binoculars can be a very suitable option for you as they are very much covered in almost every aspect. In the previous product, you get poor low-light usability, but you’re going to get ideal performance even in low-light conditions.

These binoculars have HD lenses which are coated with anti-reflective material to ensure that you get maximum brightness and optimal sharpness in the visuals. Due to the coating present on the lenses, the loss of light gets minimized and you tend to see brighter visuals even in low light conditions.

But what I like the most is their strong build quality. No other bino in this price range comes with aluminum material which is considered high quality and robust. Even if you throw them from height they won’t show any wear and tear.

Almost all modern binoculars usually come with nitrogen gas purging. But in this vortex binocular, you are going to get argon gas purging which is more efficient in protecting your binocular from moisture water, and forget as compared to those binos that have nitrogen gas purging. 

Note: Due to the usage of argon gas purging, and better lens protection due to the presence of armortek coating,  I am happy to call them the best binoculars for shed hunting

These binoculars are easy to use and carry because of their lightweight, compact size, flexible eye cups, ideal eye relief, and sleek design. They are comfortable to use for extended periods and can even be used with permanent glasses without causing eye fatigue.

My personal Opinion

Look, I’ve been a regular user of these binos and to write this guide, I also did some testing. I can say with confidence that these binoculars are perfect to use for different outdoor activities.

3- NIKON Monarch M7 10×42 Binoculars

Do you have money and want to spend it to buy something which is considered premium? If yes these binoculars are going to be the perfect fit for you as you are you will get all the features that will enhance your shed hunting experience.

These binos consist of extra-low dispersion glasses which are specialized in reducing the chromatic abortion and making sure that you get visuals without any glares or uneven color balance.  The optical performance is something you can trust on!

If you compare these binoculars with other options reviewed in this guide, then you’ll notice that these Nikon M7 binoculars are obvious winners due to their ideal optical performance.  You need not be worried about their optical performance.

Let’s talk about the grip and handling of these binoculars. Even if you use them in rain or with wet hands these binoculars won’t slip out of your hands. The reason is that there is a textured surface present on the body of these binoculars which gives you a kind of control and better handling when you use them in the rainy season.

In general binoculars, the lenses get contaminated due to debris and dirt when used in different outdoor conditions. But the good thing about these binoculars is that their lenses are coated with special layers that protect them from dirt debris and oil drops that can have a bad effect on the lenses.

My personal Opinion

If you have a handsome budget, you can buy them. Their performance is good but for me, their prices are too high which demotivates me to buy them. However, if you want to enjoy premium binos, you can go with them.

4- Athlon Optics Midas Binoculars for Shed Hunting

There are multiple good things in these binoculars that I would like to mention.  First of all the chassis of these binoculars are made with magnesium material. Keep in mind that the magnesium is very strong and very lightweight.

So, due to the usage of this material, the overall weight of these binoculars goes down and these binos become very lightweight and easy to vary for an extended duration. So, while following or chasing the bucks for their antlers, you won’t get tired due to the weight of your binoculars.

Let’s talk about eye relief. These binos have an eye relief of almost 17mm which is considered ideal if you wear glasses due to weak vision. I highly recommend buying these barnacles as they will give you an optimal viewing experience even if you keep wearing your glasses.

Just like vortex binoculars that I reviewed earlier, these binoculars also have argon gas purging instead of nitrogen. This is another plus that I consider a very good improvement if you compare these binoculars to the options available in the price bracket.

We are living in the modern era and almost every binocular that is being manufactured comes with some sort of warranty. But these optics come with a transferable warranty which means that if you aim to sell it after a few months or years then you would be able to transfer the warranty to the new owner. 

This small point is very important in increasing the resale of second-hand Athlon binoculars. Last but not least the additional accessories of these binoculars are also practical and very much durable. You won’t have to spend some extra bucks to buy those additional accessories like objective lens caps, cleaning clothes, etc.

My personal Opinion

These binos are direct competitors of Vortex diamondback binos that are reviewed earlier in this guide. Apart from low light usability, all of their features are as good as the vortex diamondback. However, I prefer Vortex over these Athlon binos because both have the same pricing, but Vortex gives ideal low-light usability.

5- Celestron Nature DX 8×42 Binoculars

Binoculars are a fantastic choice for people who want durable and strong binoculars. Many people tend to be rough with their binoculars, especially when using them in harsh outdoor conditions. But these binoculars are specifically designed to handle such situations.

These binoculars have a body made from polycarbonate material, making them practically invincible against extreme outdoor conditions. I’ve used them in the rain without any issues. Normally, rainwater can get inside binoculars and fog up the lenses, but these binoculars have excellent sealings that prevent moisture from reaching inside.

Now, let’s talk about how easy they are to use. If you wear glasses, the 17mm relief is perfect for you. Additionally, the textured surface and compact size make them comfortable to use for long periods. You won’t encounter any problems while using them.

They have a central focusing system that efficiently lets you access the small focus knob, allowing for smooth zooming in and out. The overall usability is further enhanced thanks to this better focus system which makes them suitable binoculars for shed hunting.

Lastly, let’s discuss the visual quality. These binoculars use high-quality glass material and top-notch lenses to give you images with perfect color resolution and no chromatic aberration. Rest assured, you won’t face any issues with the visual quality.

My personal Opinion

If you’re looking for strong and durable binoculars that offer excellent visual quality and ease of use, these binoculars are a great choice. Just consider your preference for magnification power when making your decision. For me, 10x is a better option for shed hunting. If you’re OK with 8x then you can go with them.

What to Look for in the Shed Hunting Binoculars?

Multiple factors influence the performance of binoculars. Ignoring any of these factors can cost you money. But, I don’t want this to happen. 

So, in the section below, I’ll discuss some of the important factors that you should always consider before buying binoculars for shed hunting to ensure that you make wise decisions.  After this buying guide, I will take you to the list of reviews of our top-picked binoculars.

Also Read: Best Binoculars Under $600

1- Magnification Power

The magnification power of binoculars is one of the most important aspects that you should never ignore. It is the magnifying power of your binoculars. With the help of this magnification power, you tend to see the bigger or magnified image of the targeted object.

For binoculars that are aimed to be used for shed hunting, I recommend you to choose at least 10x magnification so that it becomes easier for you to sit in one place and keep an active eye and the animal to whom you want to get antlers.

Note: With 10x magnification, you’ll be able to track and follow the moving animals and see where they shed their antlers.

2- Field of View

The next factor that you should always consider is a field of view. A better field of view means that you will be able to see more space through the barrel of your binoculars and vice versa. For shed hunting, I suggest you choose binoculars with at least 350 feet of field of view. 

At this range, you will be able to see more space while following the animal. Anything below 300 feet of FOV is considered poor. So, make sure to choose the FOV wisely and don’t become a victim of a smaller field of view.

3- Visual Performance

Visual quality is always important no matter for what purpose you are going to use your binos. Keep in mind that a binocular that is not giving you optimal visual quality is just like you are having a piece of fresh in your hand.

I highly recommend you choose the binocular that is well equipped with high-quality glass material. The lenses must be coated with multiple layers of anti-reflective material. Make sure to choose binos that give you decent brightness in low light quality.

4- Lowlight usability

Having a binocular with excellent low-light usability is crucial for observing animals at night or in dimly lit conditions. Animals tend to feel more at ease when the light is not too bright, and they start walking. Chances are high that they will shed their antlers at that time.

So, I highly recommend selecting a binocular optimized for low-light conditions. With such a binocular, you’ll be able to peacefully follow animals during nighttime walks or in other challenging lighting situations and note where the animal sheds his antlers so you could collect them.

5- Ease of Use

When considering the purchase of binoculars, it is essential to ensure that you select a model that guarantees ease of use for prolonged periods. If the binoculars are not user-friendly and comfortable, it is advisable to refrain from making the purchase, as it will adversely affect your outdoor activities. 

Key aspects to assess include the size and weight for portability, eye relief for comfort, and overall design of the binoculars. These factors significantly influence the usability and enjoyment of the product. Therefore, a careful evaluation of these aspects will help you make an informed decision and enhance your overall experience with the binoculars.

6- Price/Budget

Everyone has a different budget, and this pricing factor is one of the strongest factors that you usually consider when choosing a pair of binoculars. For binoculars that are supposed to be used for shed hunting, I suggest you spend anything between 200 to 300 dollars, and I am sure that you would be able to get a nice pair in this price range.

When searching for binoculars, don’t spend extra on premium features, as most binoculars are almost similar. Premium features are mostly just selling points and are not crucial for viewing or using binoculars. Many people don’t even need fancy features like IS technology, etc. I recommend choosing a regular binocular that fulfills your needs without fancy extras.

Why Do People Shed Hunting?

There are multiple reasons behind the shed hunting and many people do them for the sake of money.  The antlers of different animals are very costly. People around the world love to keep them in their houses.

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So those people spend a handsome amount of money to buy them. This is one of the reasons why many people do shed hunting. Hunters wander behind the animals by following their tracks and try to get the antlers when they shed them. 

Then they sell those antlers to others. Many other people do shed hunting as a hobby. They don’t sell these antlers, instead, they decorate their homes with these antlers and keep them as memories.

Regardless of the reason, finding the animals, following their path, and getting their antlers is not an easy job. But with a suitable pair of binos, the job becomes easier. In the section below, I will give you some top options in binoculars that would do a perfect job during shed hunting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

So, it is the end of this guide, and I am sure that I’ve been concerned about almost everything. If you’ve any questions left in your mind regarding the binoculars used for shed hunting, feel free to ask your queries in the comment section given below. 

I would say that Vortex Diamondback and Nikon M7 Binos are two of the best options available right now that would give you an optimal viewing experience for shed hunting. I am stopping my fingers now. See you with another useful guide.