I went to by brother-in-law's farm to hunt coyotes and turkeys two weeks ago. He showed me his new binoculars, Zeiss 8x20 compacts. Unbelievable optics. I just had some cheapos I stuck in my pocket, but there was no comparison in quality. The difference in price, $20.00 vs $350.00, made that much difference in optic quality. Where I hunt, we have restrictions on deer. Bucks must have at least 4 points on one side to be legal. Many of the smaller bucks that previously were taken by hunters get another season to grow and become more impressive. In northern Missouri, there are a lot of crops. The deer have a steady diet of corn and soy beans and tend to run on the big side anyway, but the bucks must still have enough antler to meet requirements. Good optics really helps you count antler points when visibility favors the game more than hunters.
On that hunting trip, I went bow hunting, but forgot my bow. He asked me to bring a rifle to help thin out coyotes, but I grabbed my 7-08AI instead of my 22-250. I did manage to grab the right shotgun, though. My turkey folded to a 3.5" 12ga magnum with 2 1/4oz of #5 shot, and the coyote succumbed to a 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip from the 7-08AI. Even though I forgot my bow, the trip wasn't a complete waste of time.