Recently, I found myself faced with a “tough” decision. I put “tough” in quotes because it was also quite a delightful decision: I needed to purchase a new rifle. Over the summer, I was partnered with Leupold Optics here on Women’s Outdoor News, and the amazing Leupold team was kind enough to send me a box full of new gear including a scope – the VX-5HD 3-15x44mm CDS-ZL2. (!!!)

Getting this new scope meant purchasing a new rifle – a “problem” I was more than happy to have. I’d been toying with getting another rifle for more than a year, and receiving this scope from Leupold was just the push I needed. At last, after what seemed like months of research, I chose the Tikka T3X Lite in a .270.

Want to know why I chose the T3X Lite to go with my VX5 HD? Read all about it [and more] at Women’s Outdoor News:

Leupold’s VX-5HD is perfect for the type of hunting I do, and its Twilight Max Light Management System is specifically designed for those low-light situations I’ll encounter in the woods. The battery-operated FireDot reticle can be used conventionally or illuminated, with a red aiming dot that can be adjusted in intensity.

I was so excited to get everything set up. I had the scope mounted and bore-sighted at another local gun shop, Caroline Rod & Gun, and finished sighting it in myself that weekend. My first 3 shots were close enough together that the scope needed minimal adjustments to group around the target’s bullseye. I was impressed from the start.

Dying to put my new rig to the test, I hit the woods hard opening weekend. Even though I didn’t see any deer the first morning, I pulled the rifle up several times before the sun really started to rise, just to see what the VX5-HD could do. There was a noticeable ability to see earlier with this scope. I was in thick woods near the edge of a bottom, and I could easily make out objects 100 yards away that I couldn’t see at all with my naked eye.

That afternoon, I got back in the stand at 4:30 to sit until dark. Around 7:15, I heard a slight rustle in the brush to my left, and out walked a buck. My heart started pounding as I slowly raised my binoculars to check him out.

Upon inspection, I recognized one of the 8-points from my trail cameras. He’s a decent buck, for sure, and my heart pounded harder. I wanted so badly to put the crosshairs on him and see what the Leupold/Tikka team could do. But, as I breathed slowly to calm my nerves, I decided against pulling the trigger. It was only my second hunt of the season, and I didn’t want to shoot this buck just because he was the first nice one I laid eyes on. I’ve killed bigger bucks, and half the fun of deer hunting is the thrill of the chase. Instead, I watched him scamper up the shooting lane and into the brush, knowing that if he survived the season, he’d be a bruiser next year.

As it turns out, the first animal I laid the crosshairs of the Leupold on with the intent to pull the trigger was not a trophy buck, but a sly coyote trying to sneak into my field. We’ve been dealing with a coyote problem for at least 3 years now, and they’ve remained elusive to our hunting efforts. When you’re trying to manage for whitetail, turkey, quail and duck, you don’t want to see those filthy things lurking in the shadows of your trail cameras.

I spotted the coyote the morning before Hurricane Irma hit South Carolina. By 9:30, my only excitement up in the climber had been seeing 2 fox squirrels arguing over some acorns. I had just decided to head out when I caught a quick movement out of the corner of my eye. It took a second for my eyes to focus on that distance, and I initially thought I was looking at a tiny fawn—that is, until the “fawn” took two steps sideways and I saw a pointed nose and long, bushy tail. From there, instinct took over. I knew I only had a few seconds to react before that coyote was on the move and out of sight for good.

It happened so fast, I hardly remember pulling the trigger. As soon as I got the rifle to my shoulder and looked through the scope, I had a clear view of my target. I didn’t need to adjust the scope, which is incredible, particularly considering that I really didn’t have time to, anyway. The coyote starting trotting across the field, so I lined the crosshairs up to his head (knowing that even if he took a few more steps before the bullet reached him, I’d still more than likely make a kill shot) and squeezed the trigger.

Ol’ coyote didn’t move another muscle.

I cannot say enough good things about the Leupold VX-5HD. I fully believe I was able to take this coyote because of this scope, and I am so excited for the hunts to come. Thank you so much to Leupold Optics for the amazing gear—I know this season will be even more epic because of it.

Hopefully lose a few less fawns and polts next year!