I'm not going to profess to being an expert elk hunter...but I've tramped around Montana a few times giving it a go. On several occasions while slipping quietly as possible through timber and small parks....how I spent most of my time it seemed, I was able to confirm what I was seeing was indeed an elk or not. As most of you know....rarely are they standing there big as day in the wide open. But a blonde patch tucked in between some blowdowns 100yds distant....is that an elk, or just a bleached out log? Why not have the option of knowing (without taking another step) what your looking at? In my mind, it could make all the difference in a shot opportunity, or blowing a herd of elk out of the opposite end of the timber without ever nocking an arrow. I carry steiner 8x30s on a bino buddy....and to be honest, I forget they are there within seconds of putting them on. My overstuffed backpack with everything but the kitchen sink is another story!