Must-Have Elk Gear for 2019

The season is here, and we've got ideas for your must-have elk gear.

From preseason to late season, there are endless ways to plan and execute a successful elk hunt. But it takes good optics to get a serious advantage.

Regardless of where you're hunting or what time of year you're in the field, Leupold has the right glass for you.

Because when it comes to their products, there is no off season.

VX-5HD Riflescope

Designed to redefine versatility, the VX-5HD 3-15x44mm CDS-ZL2 riflescope delivers everything a diehard elk hunter needs to bring home backstraps this season.

Crystal clear optical clarity is delivered by the Twilight Max HD Light Management System, which adds up to 30 extra minutes of shooting light and eliminates 90% more glare producing stray light than competitors. Dialing for elevation is also made easy with Leupold's Custom Dial System (CDS) turret, which can be calibrated specifically for your elk-killing cartridge of choice and the environmental conditions of your favorite hunting ground.

This system allows you simply range the distance of your target, dial the turret to that number, and aim dead on - no more worrying about holdovers.

The VX-5HD also has multiple reticle options to choose from, including FireDot Illumination, which creates a visible aiming point in low-light conditions. Backed by Leupold's legendary Full Lifetime Guarantee, the VX-5HD is the scope you'll want on your rifle when the king of the mountain steps out on opening day this year and for years to come.

BackCountry Mounts

Every ounce matters when you're hauling your gear into the backcountry or up a steep ridgeline in search of that bugling bull. That's where the new, ultra-lightweight one-piece BackCountry Mount system comes into play.

Made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum, the BackCountry Mounts shed precious ounces and are available for nearly any rifle build on the planet in cross-slot and one-piece integrated styles. And since they're a one-piece design, mounting them is easier than ever.

Of course, because they come from Leupold, you also know they're rugged; surviving the very same Punisher testing that the brand's steel mounts are put through every day in Leupold's Beaverton, Oregon factory.

SX-5 Santiam HD 27-55x80mm Spotting Scope

Built to redefine top-tier spotting scopes, the SX-5 Santiam HD delivers the relentless performance that you're going to need when you're glassing clear cuts in the timber.

A generous eyepiece provides premium edge-to-edge clarity and unmatched sharpness and definition, while the Twilight Max HD Light Management System ensures you'll see bright, true-to-life colors without any fuzzy edges. That means, once again, you're going to see more detail in less light.

An integrated sun shade controls glare, while the SX-5 Santiam HD spotter's ultra-smooth focus makes dialing in the details that much easier. When it's time to decide if the bull on the other side of the canyon is worth making a move on, this spotter will help you make the right call.

BX-5 Santiam HD 12x50mm Binocular

We all know that you can't shoot what you can't find. That's where the BX-5 Santiam HD 12x50 binocular comes into play.

Just like the VX-5HD riflescope, you'll see more in less light - and get up to 30 minutes of extra glassing time - thanks to the Twilight Max HD Light Management System. This superior optical design eliminates a ton of eye strain as well, allowing for all-day glassing comfort. No more headaches during long sits where you've got to spend hours behind your glass.

The lightweight, high-impact body is built to survive the toughest conditions. Waterproof, fogproof, and guaranteed to perform for life, this is the binocular you'll want when first light breaks on that far ridge later this season.

RX-2800 TBR/W Rangefinder

It's time: You've located a bull, you've decided he's the one you want hanging on your wall and packaged in your freezer, and you've found a vantage point to take your shot. One last question: Just how far away is he?

You have to know fast, and you're going to need to be able to trust your reading. It's time to call upon the RX-2800 TBR/W.

A rangefinder designed to break new ground, the RX-2800 delivers faster, more accurate readings with the Alpha IQ ranging engine. Couple that with its True Ballistic Range/Wind (TBR/W) technology, which provides ballistically calculated ranges for uphill/downhill shooting, and you have the perfect rangefinder for chasing elk across steep terrain.

A 7x magnification makes ranging long distances clearer, and an easy-grip rubber armor ensures that your RX-2800 is going to stay secure in all conditions. Before you dial your CDS and squeeze that trigger, this is the rangefinder you'll want at your side.

NEXT: MUST-HAVE WHITETAIL GEAR FOR 2019