Elk hunting may be an exciting activity, but it’s also one that requires some level of skill. Elks are not like deer (but you want to check best deer hunting binoculars guide).
They are not plentiful as deer and they live in vast areas which make it harder to spot one.
You could find yourself walking for hours before you are able to set your eyes on an elk.
Generally speaking, elk hunting is a physically demanding activity that requires patience, discipline, and the right equipment.
The one thing you can’t afford to leave behind when you go elk hunting is quality binos that work well in all ranges. The right binos can help you spot an elk that is miles away making your hunting expedition less strenuous.
And since the market is saturated with different brands and models of binos, it can get tricky to figure out which one is the best for elk hunting.
But we have done the research for you and we were able to come up with what we consider are the best binoculars for elk hunting.
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[wpsm_highlight color=”blue”]Bushnell 191042 Legend Ultra HD 10×42
The Bushnell Legend caught our attention because not only does it look good, it has impressive features that can make your elk hunting expedition easy and enjoyable.
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- Fog proof and waterproof construction
- ED glass to remove chromatic aberration and deliver high contrast images in dim conditions
- RainGuard coated lenses for waterproof performance
- 10x magnifications for long distance viewing
- 42mm objective lens for better viewing
- Compact and lightweight design
- Magnesium chassis for durability
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We’ve tested 3 binoculars for elk hunters and the winner is above!
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Binoculars For Elk Hunters Comparison Chart
| Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo |
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| Magnification | 10x | 8x | 12x |
| Objective Lens Diameter | 42 mm | 32 mm | 50 mm |
| Prism System | Roof (BaK-4) | Roof | Roof |
| Angle of View | 6.5° (Actual) | 8.1° (Actual) | 5.2° (Actual) |
| Field of View | 340 feet/1000 yards | 426 feet/1000 yards | 271 feet/1000 yards |
| Minimum Focus Distance | 6.5 feet / 1.98 m | 5 feet / 1.52 m | 6 feet / 1.83 m |
| Interpupillary Adjustment | n/a | 56 to 73 mm / 2.2 to 2.9" | 60 to 75 mm / 2.4 to 3" |
| Eye Relief | 15.8 mm | 16 mm | 14 mm |
| Exit Pupil Diameter | 4.2 mm | 4 mm | 4.2 mm |
| Weight | 24.69 oz / 699.96 g | 15.9 oz / 451 g | 28.9 oz / 819 g |
3 Best Binoculars For Elk Hunters (as of April, 2024):
Our team came up with a list of what we consider to be the best binoculars for elk hunters.
We have only reviewed three products in this guide, but we hope that the information we have provided can be of help to you when choosing binos for elk hunting.
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1. Bushnell 191042 Legend Ultra HD 10×42 Binocular for Elk Hunters Review
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- BaK-4 Roof Prism
- Fully Multicoated Optics
- PC-3 Phase-Coated Prisms
- Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Glass
- RainGuard HD Water-Repellent Coatings
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The Bushnell 191042 Legend Ultra HD 10×42 is one of the most popular binos and for good reasons. The optical system for starters is something to behold. The Legend sports fully multicoated lenses and an ED glass.
The ED glass kills chromatic aberration which obscures views, particularly at long distances. And the multicoated lenses are a sweet addition as they ensure that your views are clear, bright, and sharp no matter the distance.
The Bushnell Legend has a magnification of 10x and an objective lens of 42mm. This is not a scope you’ll have trouble with when you need to view objects that are at a long distance.
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The large objective lens provides better viewing at large distances and the 10x is what you need to see those objects up close.
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Since these binos have a roof prism design, they are compact and lightweight. So you don’t really need a tripod to use them unless you intend to use them for an extended amount of time.
And best of all, they are weatherproof. The lenses have a special coating that is water repellent. And the body has a rubber armoring for waterproof performance.
Main Features
- BaK-4 Roof Prism
- Fully Multicoated Optics
- PC-3 Phase-Coated Prisms
- Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) Glass
- Knurled Center Focus Wheel
- RainGuard HD Water-Repellent Coatings
- “Ultra WB Coating” Broadband AntiRe-Flective Coatings
- Rubber Armoring & Twist-up Eyecups
- Locking Diopter Ring
- Nitrogen-Filled, Water and Fogproof
- Lightweight Magnesium Housing
- Tripod Mountable
- Includes a Soft Carrying case, Microfiber Carry Bag and Neck Strap
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- Multicoated lenses for sharper and brighter views
- ED glass to remove chromatic aberration and deliver crystal clear views at long distances
- High magnification and a large objective lens for better viewing
- Fog proof and waterproof construction
- Magnesium chassis that is lightweight and durable
- Generous eye relief ideal for lens and glass wearers
- Wide field of viewing for easy and better viewing
- Rubberized armoring for a non-slip grip
- Affordable
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- Eye caps are loose
- Some users find the binos to be heavy
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2. Vortex Optics DB-212 Diamondback HD 8×32 Binocular for Elk Hunters Review
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- High Definition Optical System
- Phase-Corrected Roof Prisms
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Birding-Friendly 5′ Close Focus Distance
- Interpupillary Distance: 56-73mm
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The Vortex Optics DB-212 Diamondback HD is an 8x32mm bino that you can practically go with anywhere due to its lightweight and compact design.
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But don’t let its small size fool you, the Diamondback features lenses that are coated with Dielectric coating for clear and sharp images and Armortek coating to protect the lenses from dirt and scratching.
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The binos use ED glass to reduce chromatic aberration and deliver crisp clear visuals. So even if it’s raining or the light conditions are bad, these binos are designed to perform in such conditions.
And even though it has a small objective lens, you can see objects that are about 600 yards away clearly.
And to crown it all, the binos have sealed with O-rings and purged with nitrogen for fog proof and waterproof performance. Plus they have a rubber armoring which makes it easy to handle the binos.
Main Features
- Phase-Corrected Roof Prisms
- High Definition Optical System
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses & Dielectric Coating
- Ultra-hard, Scratch-Resistant ArmorTek Coating
- Birding-Friendly 5′ Close Focus Distance
- Adjustable Interpupillary Distance: 56-73mm
- Center Focus Wheel & Short-hinge Bridge Cuts Weight
- Adjustable Eyecups
- Textured Diopter Ring on right eyepiece
- Twist-up Soft Tapered Rubber Eyecups
- Protective Rubber Armor provides a slip-resistant grip
- O-ring Sealed & Argon-filled
- Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof
- Tripod Adaptable
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- Multicoated lenses to prevent chromatic aberration and deliver crystal clear views
- Compact and lightweight design
- Solid body made of durable materials
- Rubberized armoring for easy and better handling
- Nitrogen purged and O-ring sealed for fog proof and waterproof performance
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- The diopter adjustment turns too easily and you can, therefore, the settings if you bump on it by accident
- It has a small field of view which may not be ideal if you wear glasses
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Vortex Diamondback HD Binoculars:
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3. Vortex Optics DB-217 Diamondback HD 12×50 Binocular for Elk Hunters Review
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- High Definition Optical System
- Phase-Corrected Roof Prisms
- Fully Multi-Coated Optics
- Birding-Friendly 6′ Close Focus Distance
- Interpupillary Distance: 60-75mm
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This Vortex Optics DB-217 Diamondback HD 12×50 is a roof prism bino with a 50mm objective lens. So when it comes to viewing objects that are far away, the 12x magnification and the large objective lens makes it really easy.
In addition to this, the binos use multicoated lenses to ensure that your views are sharp, bright, and clear. The lenses are also coated with Armortek coating to protect them from dirt, dust, and scratches.
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If you wear glasses or lenses, you can use these binos as they have eye caps that you can adjust for comfortable viewing. And you can use the center focus wheel to quickly and easily focus on your target.
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Aside from all these, the Vortex Diamondback has a rubber armoring for a solid gripping even in bad weather. The binos are sealed with O-rings and purged with nitrogen to ensure that they work well in rainy and foggy conditions.
Main Features
- High Definition Optical System
- Phase-Corrected Roof Prisms
- Fully Multi-Coated Lenses & Dielectric Coating
- Ultra-hard, scratch-resistant ArmorTek coating
- Birding-Friendly 6′ Close Focus Distance
- Adjustable Interpupillary Distance: 60-75mm
- Center Focus Wheel & Short-hinge Bridge Cuts Weight
- Adjustable Eyecups
- Textured Diopter Ring on right eyepiece
- Twist-up Soft Tapered Rubber Eyecups
- Protective Rubber Armor provides a slip-resistant grip
- O-ring Sealed & Argon-filled
- Waterproof, Fogproof & Shockproof
- GlassPak Binocular Harness with zippered accessory pocket
- Tripod Adaptable
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- Multicoated lenses that reduce chromatic aberration and deliver high-resolution images
- Solid construction that is waterproof and fog proof
- Lens are coated with Armortek coating to protect them from dust and scratching
- Adjustable eye caps for comfortable viewing
- Ideal for people who wear glasses or lenses
- Ideal for hunting, birding, and wildlife viewing
- Affordable
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- They are heavy
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Buyer’s Guide
Elk hunting like many other outdoor activities is something that you can do alone or with other people. But of course, it’s more enjoyable if you do it with friends or family.
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And if you have never tried elk hunting, here what you need to know – hunting elk is not easy. Without the right equipment, you are better of hunting rabbits or other small animals.
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So we are not just talking about having a good rifle or being a good shooter. You definitely need a gun that has great accuracy and precision. And even though you are not an exceptional shooter, knowing how to shoot well can be of great help.
However, the one tool that can really help you bag an elk even if you are a lousy shooter is quality binoculars.
A great pair of Binos can help you kill an elk that is yards away with very little effort. Having said that, let’s look at what you need to consider when buying binos for elk hunting.
What to Consider When Choosing Binos for Elk Hunting
If you have never tried elk hunting but it’s something you want to try, you need quality binos. And if you don’t want to borrow but buy the binos, you might want to think about a few things before making a purchase.
So let us look at some important factors that you need to consider when choosing binoculars for elk hunting.
Magnification
Magnification is usually a priority when choosing a pair of binos for some hunter. But for others, it’s usually about the steadiness.
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A bino with high magnification is ideal for elk hunting given that elk live in vast areas and can be hard to spot even though they are sizably large. Plus they have good hearing. So they can easily get spooked by sounds they don’t recognize.
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So a bino with a magnification of 10x can help you bag your elk that is over 1000 yards away. Magnification also improves your precision and accuracy, which is why it’s an important factor when selecting binos.
But keep in mind that the higher the magnification the smaller the field of view, which can make it hard to track your target if it is moving.
Eye Relief
Eye relief is a key factor when choosing binos for elk hunting particularly for people who wear glasses. People who don’t have eye problems should not worry too much about eye relief.
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But if you have poor eyesight, you need binos that have adjustable eye caps that can help you see your views better.
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Prism Design
Binos are categorized as either porro prisms or roof prisms. Porro prism binos are usually much heavier than roof prisms.
So for elk hunting, you might want to go with roof prism binos because they are lightweight and you can carry them easily and hold them for long before you start to feel tired.
Field of View
It’s easier to hunt elk with binos that have a wide field of view particularly if you are shooting at a long distance. Elk moves around and to keep track of them you need binos that have a wide field of view.
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Binos with a small field of view are not very helpful when you need to keep track of a moving target.
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Image Quality
The optical system is the most important part of a bino and it’s what sets binos apart. So when buying a bino make sure that the optical system is of superior quality.
Go for binos that have multicoated lenses and use ED glass because they deliver sharp and clear images even in dim conditions. And even though they may be expensive, it’s better than buying cheap binos with poor image quality.
Body Quality
It’s hard to come by binos that don’t have a rubber covering. Most binos have rubberized armoring that makes it easy to hold them even in the rain. And the rubber armor also makes them waterproof.
Tips for Choosing Binos for Elk Hunting
Choose a bino with a large objective lens as you’ll be able to see and track your target even when it’s on the move. And although binos with large lenses are not cheap, they can help you get the job done more easily.
Go with binos that are lightweight. Heavy binos can be cumbersome. Plus you need a tripod to use them. That means you would need to carry the binos and the tripod. Something that you can’t do for long.
Don’t just buy binos because they are expensive. Binos that are costly deliver better performance, but you can get binos that don’t cost too much that perform well.
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If you wear glasses, get binos that have an eye relief of 15mm or more to see your views without straining.
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Mistakes to Avoid When Buying binos for Elk Hunting
Don’t go for the cheapest binoculars. Even if you are on a budget, avoid the cheapest ones because they won’t be of help to you. It’s best to save up and buy an expensive one than to buy a cheap one which is a piece of junk.
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Don’t buy binos because they have high magnification. High powered binos are great, don’t get us wrong, but they only work well in certain conditions.
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For hunting expeditions opt for roof prism binos instead of porro prism binos because they are lighter.
Final Verdict
Elks are large animals but surprisingly not easy to spot despite their size. They live in hardwood forests and they migrate when the weather conditions are not conducive. So before you go elk hunting, know when to go and carry a good pair of binos.
We recommend the Bushnell Legend Ultra because it has great optics and a solid construct. Just what you need for elk hunting. Plus it is affordable.
