James Moline

We went out before dawn in Montana on my first elk hunt. It was the first day of the season. The stars were out and the air was cold and crisp.

We started glassing at sun up and saw only a couple of bulls in a herd of over 80 elk. We moved to a different position about 600 yards away to hopefully catch a better view as they moved from their beds to better feeding areas.

This hunt was at altitude and by the time we reached our next glassing position, I was out of breath. It was a good thing I had my Leica 8+12 Duovids (purchased from 'The Sample List'). They allowed me to locate this 6x6 bull slowly walking a little more than 300 yards away. I set up the bipod on my Tikka .338 magnum. I then looked through the Leupold 4.5-14 scope with sunshade and BC caps. It was tough trying to calm my breathing when the air was so thin. After what seemed like an eternity, my breathing slowed and I squeezed the trigger. The Tikka barked, the elk ran about 40 yards and dropped like a stone.

Thank you SWFA for supplying the equipment that allowed this once in a lifetime hunt to become a reality.

James used:

• Leica 8+12x42 Duovid Binocular
• Leupold 40mm 2.5 Lens Shade
• Butler Creek Lens Caps Kit