Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/769056
more light to be gathered. As I began to run the magnification down, I realized that the effort was unnecessary with this new VX-3i. I ultimately took both shots at full 14 power, which is pretty remarkable, The exceptional hunting that Africa has to offer is something I will cherish for the rest of my days. But another is the conversation hunters enjoy around the campfires. On this particular trip, some of the recent controversies associated with hunting in Africa led Debney, Pettet, me, and our friends in camp to barrage our South African hosts at Tam Safaris with questions concerning the essential role hunting plays in the battle to preserve and pleasure. On the hunt, I liked everything about the T/C Compass, especially the way that it carried and handled. Its five-round, detachable, flush-fit rotary magazine was a nice touch, but it was unnecessary since the rifle shot so well. The black wildebeest, vaal rhebok, steenbok, red lechwe, and mountain reedbuck that found their way into my crosshairs all went to feed us and the locals around camp. Speaking of crosshairs, two of my five opportunities came at last light. Both were right at 200 yards, and while preparing to take the shot from shooting sticks, my experience told me that I needed to turn down the magnification in order to allow associated with an activity that archaeologists say extends back at least one million years." As it turned out, James Debney was onto something. "I really had no idea at the time how right I was about this," he said. "That first hunt of my life—going after feral hogs in Florida in 2009—activated something deep within me that I cannot deny. I have now traveled to Alaska for moose, New Mexico for elk, New Zealand for stag, and Africa for a wide variety of species." H unting with Debney and Pettet, while being fortunate enough to test their new products, was truly a S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S • 173