I remember the first time I looked through a pair of binoculars … a good pair of optics. Literally, in a few moments of glassing the hills I knew I would need a pair of these for no other reason than they were damn cool. The clearness of images at dusk, both near and far, is a revolutionizing component of binoculars when hunting for a kill or hunting for a photograph.

Viewing wildlife requires patience and quiet. Here are a few tricks to make your next search more rewarding.

• Seek times and areas of change. Nature reveals itself most where woods meet meadow and at dawn and dusk.

• All good things come to those who wait. One of the best ways to observe animals is to sit still at an inconspicuous spot with a good view of the surrounding area.

• Take the high ground. Few animals look for danger above them as often as they look to their flanks and rear. Ideally, locate yourself at heights of around 10 feet or more.

• Wear loose, bulky clothing that will break up your outline. And, they are more comfortable to sit in.

• Place yourself in front of an object rather than behind it. When you hide behind something, you give yourself away every time you peer around or over it.

• Sit with your back against the tree. This will not leave you silhouetted against the sky, and it will mask your small movements. It is also the most comfortable position, providing a backrest, and the more comfortable you are, the longer you can sit still.

• To remain motionless for a longer period of time, learn to concentrate on your breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose, filling the lower lungs first and selling the abdomen. Then slowly fill them up the rest of the way, expanding your chest cavity. When your lungs are full, exhale, letting the air slip slowly out through your mouth. Empty the chest cavity first, and finally push out the last of it by contracting your abdomen. Be careful not to make any noise. Breathing this way will relax your mind and body, enabling you stay still even longer.

The bulleted tricks come from Edward Duensing’s Backyard and Beyond – A Guide for Discovering the Outdoors but still is very applicable to hunting.

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