Hunting Season Ready: Binoculars That Make Every Moment Count
The first light of the morning was just starting to spill over the ridge when a flicker of movement caught the corner of your eye. It wasn’t the crunch of leaves or the snap of a branch—just a shift in the shadows that made you look twice. Moments like these are why hunters spend so much time glassing; scanning every detail for signs of their target. Ahead of the upcoming season we caught up with a couple of our Team Apex members to hear how the Summit ED Binoculars fit into those quiet, watchful moments in the field, and the role they play in spotting what others might miss.
Kris Haughian is no stranger to the challenges and rewards of hunting in Saskatchewan. As the host of Predator World Hunting on YouTube, he shares his passion for the outdoors with viewers around the world—bringing them along for everything from coyote calling to big game pursuits. His videos offer an unfiltered look at real hunts, the strategies behind them, and the gear that gets put to the test in some of Canada’s most demanding conditions.
With years of experience in the field, Kris knows that success often comes down to preparation, patience, and having the right tools for the terrain.
LOW LIGHT, TOUGH CONDITIONS, THE SUMMITS WILL HANDLE IT ALL
“In Saskatchewan, we’re fortunate to hunt across a wide variety of terrain—from open fields to rolling plains to the dense boreal forest. Each setting calls for a different approach when it comes to binoculars. For truck spotting and long-range scouting, 15x binos excel, giving you the reach you need to cover ground from a distance.
When hunting the open plains and fields, 12x binos strike the perfect balance—powerful enough for long-range glassing, yet compact enough to carry in a harness while walking or stalking. In the forest, where distance isn’t the priority, 10x binos shine, offering a wider field of view to catch movement and size up a trophy elk, whitetail, or bear as it comes in” says Kris.
“No matter the magnification, clarity and durability are essential. Quality glass, strong light-gathering ability, and good depth of field make all the difference in low-light conditions—especially here, where sunrise and sunset are often the most productive hunting times. And durability can’t be overlooked. Optics in Saskatchewan face the ultimate test: they might get laid on in a chest pack while belly-crawling during a stalk, dropped from a blind, or moved from freezing snow into a warm truck.”
EAST, WEST, NORTH OR SOUTH - PICK THE BEST TOOL FOR THE JOB
Further East, we chatted with Matt Murphy in Ontario, who splits his hunting time between two very different landscapes. In the south, he works the hardwoods and agricultural fields—beans, corn, and hay—where whitetail deer roam. Further north, his pursuits take him deep into the boreal forest, navigating marshes, swamps, winding river systems, lakes, and the rugged rock of the Canadian Shield. This mix of terrain means his gear has to perform in open fields one day and dense bush the next.
“The Apex Summit binoculars have proven to be a reliable companion across both worlds, whether I’m glassing a distant moose across a lake at first light or counting points on a whitetail in the fading glow of an autumn evening” says Matt.
When it comes to magnification, Matt often uses the SUMMIT 12×50 PRO’s for both hunting and competition, but he feels that in much of Ontario, an 8x or 10x binocular is the sweet spot.
“The lower magnification offers a wider field of view in dense bush, while still providing enough reach to scan open fields and swamps. Low-light clarity is top priority no matter the terrain—because if you can’t see them, you can’t hunt them.
My Apex Summit ED Binoculars deliver reliable, high-quality performance at a fair price, making them a smart choice for hunters who want dependable glass that won’t let them down in the field.”
WESTERN HUNTING SHOULD TEST YOUR GEAR, NOT STRAIN YOUR EYES
From thick cedar stands to wide-open sagebrush flats, Trace Thacker of Utah, United States has put the Summit binoculars to the test in every condition he hunts. In cold weather, when many optics struggle with fogging, the Summits stay clear and ready.
That’s something that makes all the difference on long days in the field.
“Their clarity is exceptional, making long glassing sessions easy on the eyes,” says Trace. “Other optics I’ve used in the past would leave me fatigued after hours of scanning, but with the Summits, I can stay behind the glass for as long as I need—something that’s critical in the western states, where so much of your hunt depends on your binoculars.”
Trace most often reaches for the 12×50 magnification model, especially when using a tripod, as it gives him that extra reach compared to 10X binoculars. If he knows he’ll be glassing without a rest, he’ll opt for the 10X for better stability.
“In the West, clear optics are a necessity—between the endless variety of shapes and colors that can trick your eyes, and the canyons and ridges that may be a mile apart, you need glass that can sort out details from a distance. Low-light performance is equally important, since most animals in Utah (and Western States and Canada) avoid moving in the heat and become active as the sun sets. The Summits excel in these conditions. Are there optics out there with slightly better low-light performance? Yes—but you’ll pay five times the price, and you’re certainly not losing five times the performance” says Trace.
Whether you choose the 10X for compact, lightweight glassing or the 12X for maximum reach, Trace says you won’t be disappointed:
“For the price, durability, and quality, it’s hard to find anything else that competes.”
Whether you’re navigating the wide-open plains of Saskatchewan, the mixed hardwood of Ontario, or the sage brush of Utah, having reliable optics can make all the difference in the field. The Apex Summit ED Binocular lineup provides the clarity, durability, and versatility hunters need to confidently spot and evaluate game in any terrain or lighting condition.
For both seasoned professionals and everyday hunters, they offer a dependable tool that enhances every moment spent outdoors, making each hunt more rewarding, focused, and enjoyable.
