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Bryce's 2025 Rifle Mule Deer Optics/Tripod List
by Bryce Cramer
If you've called the shop in the last few days, you might have noticed a familiar, sweet voice missing. Bryce is currently up in Utah, tearing apart country in hopes of finding a big, mature mule deer buck.
He knew he would be missed, so he kindly offered up his glassing gear list for us to send out. If you want to know the kind of optics setup this gentle killer uses, you'll want to check this out.
Swarovski EL Range 10x42 TA
These are my workhorse glasses. The excellent optical quality and the ability to load my rifle’s ballistic information, along with that of the other tagholders in camp, and get reliable solutions, is a game-changer.
These are the most amazing high-powered binoculars ever created. The giant field of view, excellent light transmission, and perfect clarity are why these may never leave my setup. Paired with a great set of 10x rangefinding binos in my chest harness, I can glass close with the 10s, then bust out the 14s for everything else.
(Obviously both of these include a Gen 2 Swarovski Stud and Binocular Adapter!)
Swarovski STX 65, 95 Spotting Scope
I bring both the 65 and 95mm objectives with the STX (straight eyepiece) and use them differently for various situations. I pack and use the 65 if I’ll be hiking more than a mile from the road, and may only use it for getting a closer look at an animal and getting digiscoping footage. I will use the 95 if I’m closer to the truck for the same reason. The 95 brings in more light and therefore provides better digiscope footage and better clarity for field judging.
Outdoorsmans Gen 2 Carbon Innegra Standard Tripod
Ultra-lightweight without sacrifice–the pinnacle for serious glassing. I primarily glass seated, and the Standard gives me enough leg length to deal with a steep slope and get the tripod close to my eyes while sitting elevated on a stool. Used in conjunction with a telescoping centerpost, it gives me the ability to stand and glass if needed.
Carbon Innegra Short Telescoping Center Post
I will always run a Telescoping Center Post. I prefer the short because it allows the tripod to get lower to the ground without the Center Post hitting it first, and provides enough extension for my 5’10” frame to stand and glass. This single item gives an immense amount of versatility to a Standard setup.
Outdoorsmans Quick-Release Adapter
I like to use a Quick Release Adapter so I can easily remove/replace tripod heads. I like to switch heads depending on different situations and optic setups, along with utilizing an Outdoorsmans Window Mount. Thanks to the QR Adapter, I can quickly and easily change and customize setups.
My tripod head of choice. It is, in my opinion, a perfect balance of overall size, weight, and payload capabilities. I've glassed with everything from a BTX 115 to 10x32 NLs, and it all handles beautifully. The Pan Head makes it easy to efficiently grid glass, ensuring I don't miss a thing.
Outdoorsmans Gen 2 Right-Facing Tripod Holster
Underrated piece of gear. It's hard to put into words how nice it is to put optics into the holster, and not on the ground. With an optic in the holster, it gives more weight to the tripod leg, therefore stabilizing the tripod further. Also, it keeps my optics readily available, so I don't have to waste precious seconds getting my spotting scope out of my pack–it's already attached to the tripod.