Does anybody hunt with sunglasses?

[waffentomas]

OK, ok, all you smarty pants rabble rousers, I'm not talking about the efficacy of shooting an elk using glass polarized lenses vs. plastic...I'd think the crush cavity of glass would be greater, anyways...

But last year on day two or three of our hunt it snowed, and snowed. The sun came out off and on over the next 5 or 6 days, but the temp. never rose and so the snow stayed. That was a rough few days fighting glare and eye fatigue, and constantly trying to re-manuver myself to keep the sun out of my face. I take a billed hat, which helps, but last year was pretty bad. It got me thinking that maybe I should take a pair of sunglasses with me from now on.

I'd like your thoughts:

Do they help or impair your ability to see game? Are they a PITA? - just another piece of gear to lose or break or get in the way? Or have they really helped you at some point.

Tx

Tom

 

[R.W.Dale]

If you can't see due to the glare then odviously having a pair of sunglasses would be advantageous


After suffering with glasses all my early life unable to wear sunglasses they now go with me no matter what I'm doing.

In fact if hunting involves a firearm you should be wearing eye protection anyhow. Not all kabooms happen on the range.

 

[bikerdoc]

Perscription sunglasses for me all year round

 

[jmr40]

I always have sunglasses in my pack, just in case. I rarely need them here because I usually hunt in places where the sun rarely shines.

I'm not sure I understand your question. I prefer polarized plastic lenses. Glass lenses are heavy and are uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time. Either would offer some protection, but most are not rated as safety glasses.

I do sometimes use dark tinted safety glasses when working outdoors and as shooting glasses. I've not seen any that were polarized however.

 

[ChefJeff1]

I almost always wear Smith action optics when outside. I do hunt with them but they don't work very well with my bino's. this is Sun Valley.

 

[ArmedBear]

I usually hunt in places where the sun rarely shines.

Uh...

Anyway, I sure as hell wear polycarbonate safety glasses during dove season.

 

[NOLAEMT]

Oakley half jackets... work as both safety glasses and sun glasses, they even have interchangeable lenses for different light conditions, all the way down to clear lenses for dusk.

 

[Blue Brick]

Perscription sunglasses for me all year round

Me too......

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a thought or two to share on this subject...
I am fortunate enough to live only a mile or so from my hunting area. I usually ride my 4 wheeler to and from hunting. I discovered my yellow shooting glasses greatly helped me see in the twilight while riding in or out. (I usually run w/o lights so I don't spook deer)They also prevent the dreaded "tears in the ears".
After riding in one morning, I forgot to take the glasses off as I proceeded to hunt. I accidently discovered that the yellow lenses add precious minutes during that magic hour at the beginning and end of the day.
I admit that they're not too stealthy or cool but it's worth it.
Whatever kind of spec's you get, just be sure you practice shooting with them on. That will insure that you don't have any surprises on opening day, like drawing your bow and looking right into the nose-piece of your glasses.

 

[jbkebert]

On more than one occasion I have removed my sunglasses with my bow string. For upland hunting I will often wear some type of sun glasses preferably something with non-reflective lenses. When big game hunting and dove hunting I always try to have the sun to my back. That way the animal i am pursuing is looking into the sun which makes it a little harder for them to see me. Not always foolproof but take every advantage you can.

 

[hardluk1]

I have always warn sunglasses but with a brown tint. My normal glasses change from semi=clear to brown and my sun glasses are as dark a brown as i can get. The brown also does improve your ability to see game. Doesn't cover it ..

 

[bison]

I used to wear them while big game hunting but don't any more. Too many times they fell off, got in the way while glassing, got sweaty, etc. I always wear for upland birds but not for turkeys or ducks.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

No, I haven't been able to find a pair that will reliably kill critters. All kidding aside, I have never hunted with sunglasses.

 

[BADUNAME37]

I have trifocal sunglasses which match my regular glasses.
Yes, I hunt and shoot with them about 50% of the time, the other times I am shooting or hunting with my regular glasses.

 

[FLAvalanche]

I'm in Florida so everything I do during the day is with sunglasses. Hunting, shooting, fishing, you name it. I wear my Costa Del Mars doing everything but hunting. When I'm hunting I use cheap Wal-Mart camo sunglasses.

I too have launched an expensive pair of sunglasses downrange at 300 FPS during archery season...

 

[CoRoMo]

Do they help or impair your ability to see game? Impair
Are they a PITA? Nope
just another piece of gear to lose or break or get in the way? No, not really
Or have they really helped you at some point. Yes, they do what they're supposed to do

I wear them to protect my eyes from the sun. When I'm in the shaded forest, I take them off so that I can better see game.

 

[Boxhead]

I do not as I cannot stand wearing glasses period. They drive me nuts but I am very slowly adjusting as I find a need to start wearing reading glasses. There have been times in the sunny Colorado high country (+12,000 ft) that I wished I had them as my hunting partner did. Blinding white, period. I have made due without but believe I will have them next season should I draw..

 

[41magsnub]

I keep a pair of clip on sunglasses in my hunting gear to go over my regular glasses. Not the coolest looking by any means, but mid day they help a lot.

 

[oneounceload]

Do they help or impair your ability to see game? Are they a PITA

Absolutely, and ESPECIALLY on snowy days - snow blindness is a very real threat. My eye doc has noticed some retina scarring in my eyes from too much bright sun light over the years without glasses. Buy a GOOD pair, get one of the croakies or similar to keep them around your neck. I even wear my Ray-Bans when it is overcast to cut glare

 

[achildofthesky]

Always have my Serengeti's on during daylight hours, outdoors.

 

[SleazyRider]

Stevie Wonder.

 

[Ankeny]

Perscription sunglasses for me all year round

Same here.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

Yes always when it's anything but overcast. Mine have much bigger lenses than my normal glasses so they allow a bigger field of (corrected) vision.

 

[caribou]

Only in the brilliant Spring sunshine to prevent snowblindness and severe headaches, starting about March, untill the ice breaks up, as well as when were in a boat, hunting. Gotta protect the eyes, no eyes, no hunting.
The rest of the year, I use tinted ski goggles while riding the snowgo.

 

[ndindy]

I spent too many years working at night. As such I can pretty much see in the dark but even overcast days are painful. Very rarely do you catch me outside without my sunglasses. I tend to raise them up when I look through optics though.