Ok Folks give me some ideas.     :confused:     This time of year is best for spotting and stalking.            

Leupold green-ring Yosemite 6x30. You can buy them through the internet for under $100. They provide a very bright and clear image and enough magnification for hunting anything east of the Mississippi River.

Mine are one of the best equipment purchases I have ever made.

Yup, bought a pair of Leupold green-rings last year for an Alaska vacation.  Worked very well, stood up to the humidity and temperature changes up there just fine.

I've read some good reviews on the Leupold Yosemite, Vortex, and a few others.  I would also consider 6-7 power (with 30-35 mm objective lenses) over 8 or 10, as the lower power will have a larger exit pupil which helps a lot in low light and will be easier to hold steady.  I'm basing this on midwestern/eastern woods hunting as the typically more open hunting and longer distances of the west may call for more magnification.  Hope this helps.

I got a small pair of Nikon 8X25....seem to work well and they were cheap.

I bought a set of Leupold Yosemite 6x30 second hand for $60, and I must say they are awesome for their intended purpose.

The new Nikon Monarch-7, 8x42, watch for sales right after Christmas whatever you decide.

Anything as long as they say NIKON on them  

Anyone have or heard of Zhumell?

I have a pair of Nikon 8X42.  They are waterproof and work great.

Bought  10x32 Alaskan Gear Guide compacts from Cabela's.   Was quite pleased with them this year.  IMO as sharp as the Nikon's or Leupold's compacts only smaller.

Nikon 8x42 for me , great glass

I use a pair of Leupold Yosemite binoculars.  I got mine in the 8x30 configuration because I primarily hunt small game.  If I did mostly deer and hog hunting I would have got the 6x30 configuration instead.  They are very clear and bright, light weight, cost under $100, and work very, very well for their intended purposes.

I have a pair of zhumells, but not compacts (25x100 giant bino's). They do fine for the price, but looking at the leupold others have mentioned for hunting.

Leupold

I really like my nikons, good glass and affordable

Leupold Yosemite 6x30...amazing glass for the cash

Another pleased Leupold Yosemite fan here.  Got them as a Christmas gift last year and couldn't be happier.

I love my Vortex 6.5x32 Fury

I've had a pair of Vortex Viper 6x32 binoculars for three or so years and I've been please with their performance.  Vortex has an outstanding warranty and the Viper model is made in Japan.