Why do upland deer stalkers seem to prefer telescopes?

DEER STALKING
George Wallace
There’s a number of reasons the main one being that for any given magnification a telescope will be smaller and lighter than an equivalent set of binoculars.

Trying to assess a stag’s head from up to a mile away would require a colossal (and heavy) set of binos but an equivalent scope would be a quarter of the size and weight.

Furthermore a scope is much easier to hold steady in a prone position and for studying detail at long range there’s really no substitute.

The reason binoculars are so popular closer to sea level is because they have a wider field of view and are far easier to use from a standing or sitting position around fields and woods where ranges are shorter.