Fact checked by Steven Lines, lifelong Hunter, and Outdoorsman
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Many hunters will choose the gear they use when hunting very carefully. They want to avoid anything that will spook the prey, causing them to run away. So, is it a good idea to wear sunglasses when you are hunting?
You can wear sunglasses when hunting. Many hunters report that they can help them improve their performance. A good pair of sunglasses will be able to block glare, letting them get a clearer look at the target. Plus, they will offer protection from wind, sticks, and dust.
Whether you decide to wear sunglasses is a personal choice. There are both pros and cons to consider. Read on to learn more about whether wearing sunglasses is best for you.
In this post, we'll cover:
How Do Sunglasses Affect Prey?
For many hunters, the most important element to consider is the impact that sunglasses will have on their prey. After all, you don’t want to risk spooking the animals.
The good news is that many hunters report that whether you wear glasses or not won’t impact the animals. The biggest concern is that they will see the sun reflecting in the glass. This flash has the potential to alert them to your presence and can be enough to ruin the hunt. But you can get some that are made from non-reflective lenses to stop this from happening.
Benefits of Wearing Sunglasses When Hunting
There are plenty of reasons why hunters might want to consider wearing glasses on their hunt. First, it will stop the sun from getting in your eyes. Sometimes, the glare might be enough to cause you to miss a shot. Plus, polarized lenses can allow you to see better colors. This will allow you to spot movement easier, finding targets. You’ll also be able to aim with confidence.
Without glasses, you might find yourself struggling to see the target. This can lead to eye strain. This might also be the cause of headaches after a hunt. The amount of eye strain you are experiencing might depend on the conditions you are hunting in. For example, snow will reflect the sun, making it harder to see the target.
Plus, a strong pair of sunglasses will help protect your eyes. When moving through the dense brush, it can be easy to miss branches, scraping your eye. There is the risk that a bullet will ricochet. Having an extra layer of protection when hunting is never a bad thing.
You will also be to keep the wind out of your eyes. This will remove the layer of moisture from your eyes. This is why you will tear up when the wind gets in your eyes.
Another huge benefit is the ability to protect from UV radiation. Prolonged exposure can have a very damaging effect on your eyes. This can be a problem for hunters, as things like snow or water can reflect the UV light. This can lead to a condition known as photokeratitis. Some of the symptoms might include:
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to light
- Watery eyes
- Blurred vision
Even if you don’t have any of these symptoms, it’s recommended that you visit an ophthalmologist every two years. This will allow them to make sure that your eyes are in good condition.
Lastly, many people choose to wear prescription sunglasses on the hunt. This can be more comfortable than wearing contacts. Even if you don’t need glasses, sunglasses can help those with sensitive eyes.
Downsides of Wearing Sunglasses When Hunting
While there are plenty of reasons to consider sunglasses, there are a few downsides that you will need to factor in. The biggest problem is that they can fall off your face. You don’t want to have to stop hunting every few hours to find your lost sunglasses.
Additionally, wearing sunglasses when hunting can take some getting used to. If they are polarized, they might change the color of the landscape. As a result, you might miss some details when you are tracking prey.
The curve of a lens might create some distortions. In some cases, this might make it harder to judge the distance from the target. When hunting, this can be the difference between hitting your shot and missing the animal. The best way to overcome this is by practicing with sunglasses.
Finally, when you are moving through the woods, there is always a chance that you will get dirt on your glasses. Because of this, you might need to clean them multiple times during the trip. But this is a minor inconvenience, rather than a big problem.
Tips For Choosing the Best Sunglasses for Hunting
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of whether wearing sunglasses when hunting is right for you. Now you’ll need to work on finding the right sunglasses for you. There are a few factors to consider. These are:
- The fit. This will ensure that the glasses won’t fall off when you are hunting. Often, you will be able to adjust the fit in the store. They will be able to heat the plastic at the end of the glasses. If you are still concerned, you can attach a band around the back of the glasses. This will ensure that, if they do fall off, they will hang around your neck.
- How comfortable they are to wear. Some hunters will choose glasses that have padding around them. This will absorb sweat and stop them from rubbing against your face.
- The prescriptions that you have. An optometrist will be able to make glasses that will be able to meet these specifications.
- How durable they are. Your sunglasses should offer an extra layer of protection, stopping debris from hitting your eye. But they can only do this if they are tough. If not, the harsh environment can break them easily.
- Warranty. You might be able to find sunglasses that will come with a warranty. If they get broken, the manufacturer will send you a replacement.
- Pick a wrap-around style. You should try to get a wrap-around. This will offer the most protection.
- Get something that uses anti-fog lenses. When you are hunting, the sweat and heat can cause the lens to fog up. This will force you to stop walking and clean them. These lenses will help to solve this problem.
- Consider transition tinting. This will make them darker when you stand in the sun and lighter when you are in the shade. The only downside is that it can take a few minutes to adjust to the new conditions.
- Matte lenses. Opt for matt outer lenses when choosing your sunglasses if excess reflection is a concern.
If you need to wear prescription glasses, talk with your optometrist about your needs. Make sure that they understand what you are looking for. Sometimes, you can even pay extra for glasses that focus on the center of the lens, making it easier to look down a sight.
What’s the Best Color Lens When Hunting?
There are a few popular lens colors for hunting sunglasses. One of the most popular is grey. It will block out the sun’s glare. Some people prefer to use purple or blue. This will help you block out the green leaves, which can help in a deeply wooded environment.
The lens color of your sunglasses will determine the way that the world appears. There are a few options that you can choose from. The best one will often depend on the situation that you will be facing when you are hunting. As an example, if you get gray lenses, they will block the glare from the sun. But they won’t have much of an impact on depth perception.
One of the most popular colors is yellow. This can help block out and glare from the sun. It can help bring colors like orange to the fore. While this is good for target shooters, it might not be one of the best choices for hunters.
Instead, people opt for purple or blue lenses. This is ideal for those who are in the forest. They can help you block out the green of the leaves. This can make it easier for you to focus on your target.
Tips For Wearing Sunglasses When Hunting
Whether or not you wear sunglasses shouldn’t have any bearing on how successful your hunt is. There are a few tips that you can use to prepare for, and execute, a good hunt.
Practice Shooting Wearing Them
When you first start wearing sunglasses, it can be a disorienting experience. The world will be a different color. Sometimes, you will find it harder to judge distances.
The best way to overcome this is by heading to the range wearing your sunglasses. This will give you a clear indication of how it is affecting your ability to hit the target. Once you know this, you will be able to compensate. The longer you spend practicing, the more you will get used to shooting in your sunglasses.
How to Stop Your Sunglasses From Fogging Up
One of the most common problems that you will face is the sweat and heat causing your glasses to fog up. Thankfully, there is an easy solution to this problem. You can get an anti-fog solution. Rub some of this onto your glasses before the hunt begins.
Bowhunting With Sunglasses
If you are shooting a rifle with sunglasses, you often won’t need to change your approach too much. But if you are using a bow, you might need to change your technique. After all, you don’t want to risk the glasses getting tangled in the string and torn from your face. There are a few ways you can stop this from happening. These include:
- Setting an anchor point. This is the point that you will be drawing back to and holding while you aim. Pick an anchor point that doesn’t touch your sunglasses. This ensures that they won’t affect the trajectory of the arrow.
- Make sure the glasses are tight. When you are shooting, you want to make sure that your glasses don’t move. This will allow you to line up your shot.
- You can get specialized sights for glasses. You might want to consider getting a larger peep sight. You can also get a verifier; this will make it easier to see the sight pins. Remember to customize your sights to find what works best for you.
Try Using a Sunshade on Your Scope
Glasses aren’t the only way to protect yourself from glare. You might also want to consider installing a sunshade on your scope. This limits the amount of light that will enter the scope. It will attach to the objective side, the opposite of the end that you are looking down.
Whether or not this will be a good option for you will depend on the conditions that you will be hunting in. If you plan on hunting in full-sun, it might be a good idea. If you are in a shady area, it might limit your visibility.
Regardless, it might be a good idea to try a sunshade on a few trips to see whether or not it is a good tool.
Caring for Your Sunglasses
If you are hunting in your sunglasses, you can expect them to get a little beaten up along the way. The good news is that you can keep them in good condition for a long time by applying a few simple tips.
Cleaning Your Sunglasses
One of the most common problems you will face is that walking through the woods can make your sunglasses dirty. Here are the steps you need to follow to keep your sunglasses clean:
- Use warm water to moisten the lens. You won’t need a lot, just enough to dampen the glasses.
- Apply one drop of dishwashing soap to each lens.
- Gently rub the soap into the lens. You can use your finger or a soft cloth to do this. If there is dried mud on the glasses, it might take longer to come off. You can try adding more warm water or soap to see if that helps dislodge it.
- Wash the soap off.
- Dry with a lint-free cloth. You can’t use a paper towel. This has the potential to scratch the lens.
- Make sure it’s dry before you put it into the case. If you don’t, there is a risk that the metal components will rust. There is also a chance that they will develop mold.
Removing Scratches From Sunglasses
When you are traveling to and from the hunting grounds, you should keep them in a case. If possible, get a hard-shell case. This will offer more protection than a soft one. Using a case will stop them from getting scratched. Plus, it will stop dirt and dust from getting on them.
When you are using your sunglasses during hunts, there is a possibility that they will get scratched during the hunt. This can lower your visibility. How severe the scratch is will determine what you will need to do. If it’s a big scratch, you might be better off replacing the sunglasses.
If it’s a small scratch, you might be tempted to try to remove it yourself. There are lots of wacky ways that you can do this. These methods can include using sandpaper and toothpaste. But, as you might imagine, these can come with some big drawbacks. Often, you will end up doing more harm than good.
The best solution is often to replace the lens. Your optometrist will be able to help you do this. You might need to use them to order the replacements, mainly if you were using prescription lenses. Once they arrive, they will be able to put them back into the frame for you.
Final Thoughts
Whether you want to wear sunglasses when hunting is up to you, many people report that it can benefit their performance. It can be a great way of keeping the glare out of your eyes and protecting them from dust. Plus, it can be an excellent choice for those with eye problems, giving them an alternative to contacts. So, on your next hunt, consider adding some sunglasses to the ensemble.
Steven Lines is a hunter and outdoorsman from Safford, Arizona, USA. Since he was a child, he has been hunting and fishing and has over 20 years of outdoor experience. Steven works as a hunting guide in Arizona during his spare time and runs a Youtube channel dedicated to sharing his outdoor adventures with others.