- Binoculars:
Hunting in elk country requires a lot of foot work, you’re going to be covering a lot of ground. However, the “work smarter not harder” mantra is applicable in this case. Tim says hunters can let their glass do the walking for them. He recommends Leupold’s Pro Guide line of binoculars, telling Jim and I that they are the most popular among customers and also offer the best bang for your buck. The Pro Guide line is available in 10 and 12 powers which Tim says is perfect for western glassing. The 10 power allows you to hold it steady enough to see bullet trace after the shot, but if you need something more, the 12 power gives you the ability to really dissect canyons, ridges and more that may be hiding elk. Tim also recommends the Santiam line, saying that both lines are made from HD quality glass and will be valuable tools in the hours of glassing on the mountain. - Rifle Scopes
In elk country, longer shots are very much a possibility and having a scope that can set you up for success at longer yardages is a valuable investment. For the money, it’s hard to beat the VX-5 HD, says Tim. This scope has a 5 to 1 zoom ratio and Tim says that he recommends the 3-15, in fact, he carries it himself. The 3-15 offers a wide power range that allows the user to zero in targets that are closer as the 3 power is low enough, however its ability to stretch out to 15 also allows you to reach out quite a distance. That scope features Leupold’s unique two-turn CDS ZeroLock 2 adjustment which is a custom dial system that allows the shooter to take longer shots without worrying about holdovers. The folks at Leupold send the user a custom dial that matches the exact ballistics for the ammo they are shooting out of their gun that also factor in things like elevation, temperature, etc. So, once you get an elk in your scope you can dial it in for the correct distance and hold where you want to hit. - Rangefinder
The importance of getting a true understanding of the distance between you and the game you are pursuing is important. Only when you know how far that distance is, can you decide if you should shoot at all, how that distance will affect the shot you take, etc. Tim tells Jim and I that guessing distance is tough, especially in changing light. A rangefinder takes any guess work out of it. Leupold’s RX Rangefinders help hunters determine distances with long range capability and the ability to take into account uphill and downhill angles. Tim says the number in front of each model indicates how far it will range on a solid target. Tim will highlight the RX1300, RX1600 and RX2800 and dive into the specifics of how far they range and the specific advantages of each model. Why would you want to range something out to 2800 yards? Tim says that is a question they get a lot. However, when hunting an animal like elk, this long-distance capability is helpful as you find a herd that is still a long distance off and try to navigate your way to a place close enough for a shot. - Thermal
Once you’ve made the shot, it’s all about recovery. If you hunt long enough, you’ll eventually end up in a scenario where you are tracking game in low light or the dark, which is difficult. Flashlights are the obvious choice for this task, but Tim points out that the shadows of a flashlight tend to move as you swing it back and forth and can create the false perception of movement. This is where their thermal imaging products can be incredibly helpful. Leupold’s LTO Tracker and LTO Quest are designed to detect heat signatures and when tracking animals, the heat coming off of that animal will lead you right to it. Many times, hunters end up having to leave their game in the field and return the following morning to search for the animal they shot, which depending on the conditions can lead to spoiled meat. With thermal technology hunters don’t have to wait to track their game. Tim tells Jim and I that these devices really are remarkable tools.
Finally, optics are an investment and when you spend a lot of cash on a pair of binoculars, a scope, rangefinder or whatever it may be, you want them to last. So, I think it’s really important that people are aware of Leupold’s warranty. Tim tells Jim and I that Leupold products have a lifetime warranty, but more importantly they pride themselves in making sure you won’t need it. They design, and field test their products under intense conditions to make sure they can survive virtually anything they are up against. That lifetime warranty doesn’t just belong to the original owner though, if you are given a Leupold product, it is passed down to you by a family member, or if you buy it used – regardless of the origin they are covered.
I’m a huge believer in Leupold, so see what you think. Be sure to listen to our interview with Tim Lesser, below in the audio players, this week and find out how Leupold optics can help you in the field this fall.
Thanks for listening friends,
Trav
