4 Reasons Glassing from a Tripod Will Help You Spot More Game

There is often a debate among DIY hunters about whether bringing a tripod into the backcountry is worth it.

“Many hunters get hung up on the weight of a tripod instead of realizing the benefits a tripod provides,” said Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans. “I rarely leave the truck without my tripod. I will leave several things at the truck to make sure my tripod can go with me. A tripod is worth the extra weight.”

A Tripod Keeps You Steady

One of the biggest reasons Nelson believes every hunter should bring a tripod into the woods with them and use it is because it will help them find more game. “Glassing from a tripod keeps your eyes and head steady,” Nelson explained. “That helps you keep your eyes focused for longer periods of time so you can spot game easier.”

Mounting a spotting scope on a tripod is a must. The Outdoorsmans medium tripod (shown here) is lightweight and packable, making it a favorite among backcountry hunters.

Less Eye Strain

Another reason Nelson believes hunters should use a tripod is because they will have less eye strain. “Anyone who glasses for long periods of time usually gets eye strain, which leads to a headache. When a person gets a headache, they will most likely quit glassing. By using a tripod, headaches and eye strain are often eliminated so a person can glass longer, which results in them spotting more animals.”

Glassing for a few minutes without a tripod is okay, but you certainly wouldn’t want to spend a half-hour or more searching for animals in the position shown here.

Glass from a Greater Distance

Glassing from a tripod allows a hunter to glass more methodically and from a greater distance, so they will likely spot game they otherwise wouldn’t notice. “Take Coues deer, for example,” Nelson said. “I see more deer when I use a tripod verses when I am not using a tripod. It is important to note that many hunters think a tripod is only for glassing with a spotting scope. That is not the case. I mount my binoculars on my tripod all the time, and I spot a lot more game doing this verses hand holding my binoculars.”

Cody Nelson from the Outdoorsmans never leaves home without a spotting scope, binoculars and a Outdoorsmans tripod.

Glassing Won’t Spook Game

As hunters, we often rush to one spot or another when hunting. Using a tripod forces us to spend more time looking over an area. “Many hunters like to run and gun,” said Nelson. “But I am a firm believer that spending time behind a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope can help a hunter find the game faster than if they are running all over the place. Glassing allows you to look over an area without disturbing it and spooking the game into the next county.”

Many hunters don’t glass from a tripod, which is a mistake. Glassing from a tripod reduces eye strain and helps the user do a better job of spotting distant game.

It is easy to fret about the extra couple pounds a tripod weighs, but as Nelson points out, a good tripod is worth its weight in gold. It will help you find more game, which will help you fill more tags.

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