Aoudad Hunt

Spring is in the air. For me this year, that meant pursuing free-range Aoudad in the rugged hills of West Texas.

Native to North Africa, Aoudad were introduced to the Texas landscape somewhere around the late fifties/early sixties. Since their original taste of sweet freedom, the species has taken a strong foothold in the region. Genetically located between a sheep and a goat, Aoudad are extremely beautiful and represent a challenging hunting opportunity.

The first order of business when we got to camp was putting out the American flag. I thought that was pretty dang cool. I’m sure this flag has seen its share of hunters come and go. Much like the country we were in, the flag was a bit rough, but held a lot of character.

Aoudad are inherently tough to spot. Once you get to a good vantage point, it’s time to get to work with your glass. Our 15x56 Kaibab’s on a tripod are ideal for tearing apart the landscape in search of these elusive and naturally camouflaged critters.

Everybody says it once they visit Texas, but everything really is covered with thorns and wants to stick you.

We were lucky to catch many of the cacti in bloom and appreciate their beauty.

This plant is called a Spanish Dagger – and for good reason - it is not pleasant to bump into. On several occasions, we witnessed Aoudad stand on their hind legs in order to reach the flowers. I watched one group of three eat off the same bloom at once. They must taste really good as they appeared to be highly sought after.

Javelina were prevalent in the area and fun to watch.

On the third day of the hunt I was able to connect on this nice Aoudad. The shot was just less than 300 yards. I had the time, so I dialed the turret on my Viper HS LR 6-24x50 and held dead on. The ram dropped in his tracks. I think I’m going to like my new 6.5 Creedmoor.

Man these animals are neat looking.

Before we knew it, the sun was setting on our last day. The hunt was in the books and we would be heading back to reality. It went so fast it was almost as blurry as this image.

“The eye in the sky” This blimp was suspended in the air and visible throughout the hunt. I’m assuming its job was some sort of border surveillance. On our way home, it was grounded and I was able to snap this shot from the vehicle. I wondered if they were able to see us while we hunted.

I recommend anyone looking for a unique hunt; consider chasing free-range Aoudad in west Texas. The hunt is incredibly optics-intensive; making a top-quality 15x binocular, as well as a top-quality spotting scope essential. Longer shots are a definite possibility. Knowing your rifle and being able to dial elevation can prove to be valuable when the moment of truth arrives. Good luck out there.

Mark Boardman

Vortex Optics

Video Ideas Wanted

Hey everyone, I wanted to check in quick and let you all know that we are starting to work on a compilation of short videos that will be part of a series designed to help new beginner shooters get into long range shooting. We already had a lot of ideas in mind for what to include but before we set our ideas in stone, I want to poll the audience and see what you all think:

What videos would all of you like to see?

What videos do you think would be especially helpful to someone who is completely new to shooting?

Your ideas and feedback mean a lot to us and we definitely want to make sure we are addressing the needs of our customers and dealers. If you have any ideas that come to mind, we want to hear them. Feel free to send me an email at jjordan@vortexoptics.com or simply comment here on the blog page and I will collect all the ideas for consideration. Thanks again for all the support. I look forward to hearing from all of you.


Jimmy

New Toy

Who doesn’t like sharing and hearing new gun stories? I always get a kick out of hearing how other people set up their rifles so I want to introduce all of you to a new addition to my gun collection- an AR-15 upper receiver chambered in .300 AAC Blackout. It was built by a new company out of St. Croix Falls, WI. (More details to follow soon):

(Pictured in photo with a Smith and Wesson M&P15 lower receiver and a 1-4X24 Viper PST MRAD mounted on top)

Here are some detailed specifications:

It has an A3 flat-top Mil-Spec receiver forged from 7075 T6 aluminum and is hard-coat anodized. It is not milled. The barrel is a 16" mid-weight stainless steel in .300 AAC Blackout with a 1:8 twist ratio. It has a Mil-Spec M16 bolt carrier group, which means that it can also be run on a full-auto lower, not only a normal AR15 bolt carrier group. The charging handle is Mil-Spec. It has a carbine length gas system, with a low-profile gas block to fit under the rail. The gas port measures 0.125" in diameter. The handguard is a full length rifle YHM diamond quad rail with an end cap. The design of the barrel nut allows the barrel to free-float with only one point of contact for increased accuracy. The muzzle attachment is a 5/8"x24" Mil-Spec .30 caliber A2 flash hider. Both the upper receiver and quad rail have T-marks for easy inquiry of where an optic or accessory was placed.

My initial response upon opening the package was simply “Awesome!” This new upper receiver machining and workmanship looks great and I am very curious to try some different factory and handloads to see what kind of accuracy is possible.

The .300 BLK cartridge is so versatile because it can easily be loaded with supersonic or subsonic loads, making it a perfect caliber to run with a suppressor. If you are capable of purchasing an upper receiver in this caliber and refrain from wanting to save up for a suppressor, you are stronger than I am… Ultimately, I would like to suppress this weapon someday and enjoy hearing the bullets hit the paper downrange.

Here’s a little more information on this caliber if you’re interested:

Haley Strategic Video

I know this is a silly question, given the current run on ammunition that is going on, but does anyone know where to find .300 Blackout ammunition or brass in stock? I’m sure it will be tough to find but any recommendations would be a big help! Thanks again.

Jimmy

Happy Valentine's Day!

To some of us it’s just another day but for others, Valentine’s Day can be a pretty big deal and for those of you who are spending it with a special someone- enjoy it! But whether or not you have big Valentine’s Day plans, I want to make sure you don’t get forgotten about. February can also be cold depending on where a person lives, so I think it’s only appropriate to find some homes for a couple Vortex Optics Sweatshirts. Who says this is a Hallmark Holiday!? I say it’s a “Force of Optics” Holiday. Here’s what those bad boys look like:

So here it is- the first 15 people to email me are getting one delivered to their house. Just shoot the email over to jjordan@vortexoptics.com and let me know which size you would like, along with your address. I would be happy to get you taken care of. Thanks again, stay warm, and have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Jimmy

SHOT Show and Safari Club International Recap

Well it is great to be back! If any of you were at some of the trade shows going on like SHOT, SCI, FNAWS, etc., I’m sure you can attest that they are quite the experience. There is a lot to see and do, great people to meet and an atmosphere that definitely makes you want to get out and do some hunting and shooting. I’m always happy and excited to go to the shows and relieved to come home again when the action is over. There was a lot of really cool stuff to see but, since I was working the event, there just wasn't much time to roam around. However, from the time spent wandering the floor, here are a couple of my favorites:

McMillan’s ALIAS System:

Essentially, it’s a system that McMillan uses to add customizability to their rifles. The user can change out barrels and other components easily, making the rifle mission-specific in no time. There were a couple of different configurations that the user could achieve, but my personal favorite was the CS5 (Concealable Supersonic/Subsonic Suppressed Sniper System). I checked it out during the beginning of SCI and made a point to get over there a couple more times before the show ended. I simply did not want to put it down. Here is a picture of that sleek little rifle:

Link

Can you really blame me for not wanting to put it down? If felt very comfortable to hold and, according to McMillan, it is very accurate. They claim 0.5 MOA accuracy or better. I would love to be able to shoot one someday…

Sig Sauer’s Mark 25:

It’s one of the guns the SEALs carry… yup, had to check it out. Essentially, it’s a 226 with some extra features. The Mark 25 has anti-corrosion coatings on the internal components and controls and an anchor engraved on the side make it distinct. 

Link

It has a solid, balanced feel to it. I have a 226 already that I know and love so it’s always nice to check out the new variants. Definitely a fan!

Taxidermy:

There was just too much excellent taxidermy at SCI to have seen it all but here were my two favorite mounts:

Enough said!

Has anyone out there gotten their hands on a McMillan CS5 or a Sig Sauer Mark 25 and want to share their thoughts? I'd love to know hear! Thanks for reading and have a great rest of your week!

Jimmy

 

Time for SHOT

It’s officially go time! We are coming right down to the wire now with SHOT Show starting up next week. My bags are packed- well almost… last checks are being done, and soon we will be off to spend a week in the largest trade show in the shooting and hunting world. In case you are planning to visit the Vortex Optics booths (#20439, #4151, and #4251) to check out the new things we have to offer this year for 2013, here’s a sneak peak at what we will be offering:

Riflescopes:

Viper HS 6-24X50

Binoculars:

Crossfire II 8X42 and 10X42

New Razor HD 10X50 and 12X50   

Spotting Scopes:

Razor HD 11-33X50 and 16-48X65

We have more than this to offer but that will have to be a good enough sneak peak for now… If you want to know more, feel free to check out our website or if you’re going to be at the show, please stop over, say hi and check it out. We would love to have you over to see the new stuff and I would be happy to meet you as well. I will be in the Tactical booth (20439) but most of the action will be happening in the bigger booths downstairs. Thanks again for reading along and I’ll make sure to give you all an update on how things went when I get back.

Jimmy

Watch Your Back: Preventing Back Injuries in the Field

By Eric Auciello

Most hunters understand that they will be required to perform a wide array of physical tasks while in the field. It should go without saying that the conditions in which these tasks are performed are often less than optimal which increases the potential for injury. Factors such as the unpredictability of the elements, stress, fatigue and over exertion can all lead to a hunter getting hurt. With this in mind, one of the most common and debilitating injuries sustained in the field is an injured lower back. If you’ve ever experienced such an injury, you’ll testify to others that back injuries do indeed hurt and that they’ll sideline even the hardiest outdoorsman.

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Fortunately, the vast majority of lower back injuries can be prevented in the off-season by embracing a sport-specific training regimen. Like any athlete, a hunter’s main concern should be their declining physical condition. As we age we see an increase in overall body rust. When this reality is coupled with an inactive off-season, the potential for injury is increased. Fortunately, sportsmen can avoid this fate by simply embracing a sound off-season training strategy.

As I’ve alluded to before, the key to longevity in any sport is sound training. Good off-season regimens will feature both corrective exercises and functional weightlifting movements. Multi-joint compound weightlifting movements can benefit outdoorsman because they offer broad cross-applications to hunting and fishing. These types of weightlifting movements stand out because they mimic the natural movements we use in the field, specifically pushing, pulling and squatting. There is a litany of functional lifts available for the sportsman to train with. However, we’ll take a quick look at one that highlights both injury prevention and increased work capacity. It’s appropriately named the deadlift.

The deadlift is a basic weightlfting movement that helps to strengthen and stabilize the lower back. More importantly the deadlift teaches the proper lifting biomechanics needed to safely lift any heavy object off the ground. Back injuries are often attributed to the body’s inability to resist rotational force, orthopedic problems and hyper-mobility in the lumbar spine. This is where the deadlift can help, by correcting these types of dysfunction before they lead to an injury.

One of the most appealing aspects of the deadlift is that it can be trained conventionally in the gym with a barbell or in the yard with Spartan implements (concrete blocks, 5 gallon pails, etc.). Here is a basic step-by-step tutorial on proper deadlifting technique.

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Step 1: Stance - Assume a comfortable shoulder width stance with your feet slightly flared out (approximately 35 degrees).

Step 2: Chest - Extend your spine by elevating your chest. Think about how soldiers stand at attention, stand tall, chest out and shoulders back. 

Step 3: Breath - Take a deep breath, hold it and push against the closed airway. This is an important step that should be used while picking up anything heavy. It’s called a Valsalva maneuver and it’s used to protect the lower back by creating additional rigidity around the lumbar spine.

Step 4: Grip - Bend at the knees and lower yourself toward the object or barbell while maintaining spinal extension and the Valsava maneuver. It’s important to try and keep the spine in a vertical position when gripping the object to lift. Secure a strong grip before moving to step 5.

Step 5: Tension - Use the object to be lifted as a counterweight and shift your weight back on your heals while creating tension in the hamstrings, glutes, and lower back by lightly pulling against the object.

Step 6: Pull - Initiate the full-force pull from the floor. It’s important to pull through the heels while maintaining the uniform positioning of the hips and shoulders established at the start as your body moves upward. When standing fully erect with the spinal column stacked you may exhale. But, be sure to re-inflate the diaphragm with the Valsalva before lowering the object back down.

Step 7: Put it down - Return the object to the ground the same way you picked it up. Initiate this step by bending at the knees and pushing the hips back slightly. It’s important to maintain an extended spine throughout this portion of the lift.

Now that you know the basics, start by implementing the deadlift in your training slowly. Focus on good technique and moderate weight; your back will surely appreciate the effort. 

Eric Auciello is a hunter and a strength and conditioning coach who owns and operates Phase 5 Fitness. Eric trains select tactical athletes who are attached to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Tampa Police Department, and Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department. He also serves as the head coach of Team Florida - Tampa Bay, a USA Weighting and Track and Field club. In addition to these duties, Mr. Auciello is currently acting as a defense contractor responsible for on and off base physical fitness training and education for an elite airborne unit (JCSE).