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PHS's Own Brett Broman Details His Role Supporting Customers in Their Pursuit of Prized Elk in New Mexico. Recently, Precision Hunting Supply's own Brett Broman had an opportunity to join a customer on a rifle bull elk hunt in Northern New Mexico. Day 1 Opening morning was calm and brisk, with numerous bulls bugling around us once we arrived in our area. A brief discussion soon had us heading in the direction we thought a good bull might be. As dawn was breaking, we caught movement through the trees about 600 yards away in a meadow. It was a bull and his harem of cows, some bedded, some up and feeding. The bull was a solid 6x6, but after a few minutes of watching him chasing his ladies, we decided he wasn't quite what the hunter was after, and quietly crept our way out so as to not disturb this group. The next few hours we chased a few more bugles, but never found anything which sparked our interest. The afternoon hunt started off with a number of bulls bugling in a new area. The bulls were so vocal, we actually heard them from inside the truck as we were driving down the road! We parked and started heading in the direction of the noisy bulls, but it was evident they were on the move and not staying in one place. Over the next few hours, and miles on the boots later, we finally caught up to them and got set up in an area we felt they’d soon be. The wind was in our favor, the evening was calm, and the bugles were frequent. We finally saw a cow elk step out 200 yards away feeding, and there was a bugle not far away from her. Our hopes were that he would step out before the light faded so we could make a decision, or at least know what kind of bull we were after. Moments later, we caught movement off to our 9 o’clock, and here comes the bull at only 150 yards away. A really beautiful 6x6 with ivory tips and a bugle that would rattle even the most experienced of hunters. The light was fading fast, but we couldn't move our setup without being busted, so all we were able to do was wait and hope he walked to where his cows were. Unknown to us, another cow had slipped in between him and the other cow, and that's when the wind shifted. I immediately felt a slight breeze on the back of my neck, and knew it was all but over. Moments later, she barked at us and the bull froze, scanning the area looking for what may be the cause of concern. At only 100 yards away, we could only watch as the bull slipped between the trees out of sight and into the night. While disappointing, it was such a tremendous encounter being so close to sealing the deal on such a magnificent animal. Day 2 The next morning greeted us with 30 mph winds and only two very distant bugles of bulls clearly moving into their bedding areas to escape the weather. The remainder of the morning was uneventful, with the exception of being surrounded by such beauty that northern New Mexico had to offer. Fall was in full effect, leaves were changing, and the feeling of being a small part in a huge world came over us. While we didn’t see any bulls, we saw plenty of deer and turkey which helped pass the time. The rest of the morning and into early afternoon the weather worsened, with a small system passing through that dropped some much needed moisture on the landscape and really cooled it down. It was just what was needed to get the bulls fired up! After stepping out of the truck for our evening hunt, we heard a bugle, then another, then another. They were all around us! We paused for a moment and tried to gauge which bull we wanted to go after, taking into account the prevailing wind and likely topography we may encounter. We collaborated and chose to head west after the bull that simply sounded the best. We estimated the bull to be a mile away, so we packed up and hit the hills. The next 30 minutes were simply amazing, hearing bugle after bugle…..and in all directions. It was evident there was something amazing happening in the elk woods today! We snuck in as close as we could, got set up, and finally caught a glimpse of the bull we were hearing all this time. Another really nice 6x6 making his way through the trees at about 100 yards. I know, this seems close for a rifle hunt, but the heavily wooded landscape provided us the opportunity to get in tight. We pulled up our optics and saw a great framed 6x6, looked at each other and I asked if he liked him, to which he replied “yes I do”. We quietly set up our shooting position and waited for the bull to step into the clearing at 100 yards which he was headed for. The bull stepped into the clearing, the rifle barked, and we could tell the bull was hit hard! A few bugles and cow calls to calm things down, and we walked over to his bull. A very nice 6x6! Congratulations we're made and we immediately got to work as the darkness was coming fast…. let the work begin!! All the while bulls continue to bugle in every direction. What a great experience. Here at Precision Hunting Supply (PHS), we are so thankful for the relationships that have been made over the years with our customers. So much so that we are often invited on great adventures like this one. Not for compensation, not for gratuity, just because we love what we do and being in the outdoors. We're experts in what we do, so if there’s an opportunity to help on a hunt and there’s room for us to tag along, shoot us a call! Get in the field, enjoy the outdoors, and remember to support your fellow hunter. Brett Broman Precision Hunting Supply 480-748-2200

Considerations for the Hunting Client Upon retiring from the fire service in 2017 I immediately embarked on a new full-time journey, guiding big-game hunters. This endeavor is what ultimately lead me to the creation of Best of The West Arizona where I now primarily hunt with friends, family and customers helping them on their hunts. But, while guiding for several prominent outfitters over those years, I observed and learned a lot about the often-misunderstood art of tipping your guide. There are few things more disheartening for a guide than to receive a low-ball tip or even worse, getting stiffed! I’ve been fortunate over the years to be paired with great people and I have no qualms about the tips I’ve received so I don’t want to give any former clients the wrong idea. I write this because I’ve seen numerous examples of hunter/guide relationships turn awkward around tip time, and in the end, result in a lesser or even no tip for a hardworking and otherwise deserving guide. This can be a sensitive topic. On one hand you have a hunter who works hard for his money and a guide who is also working hard to provide an exceptional service. In the end, its often misaligned expectations that leads to problems. If I can be allowed to speak on behalf of those in the guiding community I hope to shed some light on the hunting business and the work that goes in behind the scenes in hopes that this article results in improved expectations between hunter and guide. Tipping is a common practice to show appreciation for services rendered. While there are no strict rules regarding the exact amount or percentage you should tip, it is generally recommended to consider a few factors before planning your hunt and when determining an appropriate amount to tip. Generally speaking, in the U.S., it is customary to tip 10-20% of the cost of the hunt. Therefore, a $6,000 hunt would normally result in a $600-$1200 tip. Now this is a good chunk of change on top of the cost of the hunt (and all the other expenses a hunter incurs just to make it to camp) so it’s really important to plan accordingly and budget ahead of time. I can assure you, your guide knows very well what a “good tip” is for any given hunt so their expectations are set that they’re going to get tipped this amount and they’re usually working hard to earn it. So, when they receive anything less they’re understandably disappointed. Guiding is tough work. Preparing to take a client afield takes weeks, even months, to prepare for and often at considerable expense to the guide. Guides are usually private contractors, (1099) workers for an outfitter and the overhead expenses incurred while preparing for your hunt may or may not be reimbursed by the outfitter. In most cases, they are not reimbursed. Take into consideration an early-season archery deer hunt. In Arizona, those hunts kick off in mid-August which means your guide is likely scouting for you months in advance in the dead of summer. With the recent trail cam ban, scouting has become even more time-consuming, requiring considerable time in the field hiking ridges, watching water holes where deer are likely to visit and ultimately trying to pattern a specific animal. These are all-day endeavors that begin hours before first light and end hours after dark. In that time, your guide is covering a lot of ground in a truck or side by side and on foot over rough and rugged terrain. Very quickly fuel and maintenance costs start to add up and it seems there’s always a price to pay for traversing rugged backcountry. Trucks and UTV’s break down, tires go flat, suspensions take a beating, not to mention the cosmetic damage vehicles suffer on nearly every trip. I know I tend to break stuff and repairing any vehicle these days is really expensive. As a guide, this is just part of the job and “the cost of doing business”, but those expenses stack up really fast! No one ever got rich guiding. Guiding for most is a labor of love. Money filters up to the outfitter and some of it trickles back down to the guide. Although guides are generally paid fairly by their outfitter, even the top earners are merely breaking even by the time all their expenses are accounted for. This is why guides rely so heavily on their tips to help them come out just a little bit ahead. Dan Zellner, owner of Lucky Canyon Outfitters, reminds clients, “The guide does not get paid the amount you pay the outfitter”. Food, fuel, footwear, RV’s, clothing, optics, tripods and other necessary gear also add up fast. Not to mention your guide has likely invested in top-of-the-line equipment. No guide wants a client showing up with better optics and gear than they have and their livelihood requires that they invest in high-quality stuff. In summary, guides are investing a lot of time, energy and capital to prepare for your hunt. Far more than the average client realizes. There are often some extenuating circumstances that cause hunters to pause and reconsider their tip amount so I want to share and review a few common issues. For example, how do you tip if you tag out on day one? Heck, some clients even tag out at first light on day one! Should the guide's tip be affected by this outcome? While some hunters might view this as an ideal scenario, others might see it differently. Some hunters may feel they were deprived of the full hunting experience and despite a successful harvest, might leverage that outcome against the guide. For instance, some hunters feel like a lesser tip is warranted in a situation like this because the guide “didn’t have to work that hard”. Hunters can easily overlook the fact that all the hard work was done leading up to the hunt and it is that effort that put them in a position to harvest on opening day. Others might rationalize that tagging out early means the guide “got off easy”, when in fact, the exact opposite is true. Most professional guides are working hard the weeks and months in advance of a hunt to put you in a position to harvest your target animal on opening morning. This IS the desired outcome! It goes without saying that this is arguably the best time to harvest a target animal, before they react to hunting pressure and retreat to dense cover. Additionally, you don’t want your target animal being harvested by another hunter, do you?! Harvesting on opening morning (or soon after) is a testament to the competency of your guide. Its demonstrative of their commitment to scouting and learning that animals’ patterns. This is an outcome that should be celebrated not dismissed as being too easy on the guide. What if you don’t harvest an animal at all? This is an outcome that no one wishes for or expects. Every time a guide accepts a new client he/she is usually abundantly confident in the outcome. In their mind there’s no doubt the team will have a successful harvest but it does happen and despite everyone’s best effort it can be hard to connect on some hunts. Things to consider: Opportunities, effort, and success rates. More specifically, did you have an opportunity to harvest an animal? A missed shot or blown opportunity by the shooter shouldn’t adversely affect the tip of the guide. The guide is expected to provide “opportunities” and if you got one or more you should consider yourself fortunate and not penalize the guide. Effort; did the guide put in the time to scout and exert the necessary effort on the hunt? If so, they may have earned their requisite tip despite the outcome. Lastly, success rates. Its always good to have an idea of the published success rate for any given hunt so the hunter may have realistic expectations going in. For instance, archery hunts generally have lower success rates than rifle hunts. Rut hunts have generally higher success rates than non-rut hunts, etc. Knowing success rates ahead of time can help frame your expectations. The reality is, despite the guides best efforts, it may just be a tough hunt. Dan Zellner of Lucky Canyon Outfitters shares his thoughts, “It all boils down to the experience. Did you enjoy your hunt?” Another Partner Outfitter, Toby Weaver of Antler Canyon Outfitters (ACO) advocates that tips should reflect only those factors the guide can control. For example, bad weather, hunting pressure, and missed shots, shouldn’t necessarily affect a guide’s tips if those factors were beyond their control. Tony Kiser of Cedar Ridge Outfitters in Wyoming suggests that bad tippers who return year after year soon develop a reputation among the guides and this may affect the guides effort, “Guides are not going to work their ass off.”, he advised. Here’s a few final tips and guidelines to help manage your relationship with your guide: Use the customary tipping range: As a general guideline, a tip of 10-20% of the total cost of the hunt is considered appropriate. You can adjust this range based on the factors mentioned earlier. For exceptional service, you should consider tipping towards the higher end of the range. Assess the level of service provided by your hunting guide. Did they go above and beyond to make your hunting experience enjoyable? Consider their knowledge, expertise, professionalism, and attentiveness. If the guide put out the effort and ultimately exceeded your expectations, you should tip more generously. Guides prefer cash tips or tips of goods or services. Some clients give their guides a new gun, bow or optics. One guide I know had a former client tip him by building him a beautiful new flatbed trailer for his UTV!! Whenever possible tips should be in cash and not be given by check or IOU. Pat Romero, owner of Trophy Hunts of Sonora offered that his tips have varied widely over the years from a box of Washington apples (which he thoroughly enjoyed) to a set of kitchen knives, to binoculars and even a muzzleloader. The largest tip he ever received far exceeded the 20% threshold. It was $3500 for a 137” Coues buck. Many hunters book a 2:1 hunt in order to share the experience with a friend or family member and/or to save money on the cost of the hunt. However, when it comes to tipping, you should do so as individuals. Some clients rationalize that the tip can be combined between the two hunters to add up to what one hunter would tip. This is NOT fair to your guide. Guiding two hunters is exponentially more challenging and puts more burden on your guide. This is not the time to be cheap! If you are part of a group that shared the hunting guide's services then each member of the group should tip within the customary range, based open their individual experience. Present the tip appropriately: When giving the tip, it's customary to do so in person, directly to the guide after the hunt. Express your gratitude for their services and hand them the tip in an envelope or in some other discreet manner. This should be accompanied by a hand shake and genuine show of appreciation for their efforts. Sharing specific examples of things you liked about their character or work ethic will also mean a lot to your guide. No tip or low-ball tip? Toby of ACO again shares his opinion, “If you leave a bad tip or don’t tip at all you need to at least explain to the outfitter why so they know the issues with the guide, if there were any.” Ideally, any serious issues with a guide should be conveyed to the boss. One final reminder, if your camp has a “Camp Cook”, they too should be tipped. $10-$20/day/client as a general rule. I hope you found these guidelines helpful. If it sounds like I’m speaking more so from the guide's perspective, I am. Simply because I’ve seen some great guides be treated poorly by hunting clients, even by the ones who tagged out on great animals. Remember, tipping is a gesture of appreciation. I know full well this can be a two-way street and there are some lousy guides out there but in most cases, your guide is a hard-working professional trying to make a living doing something they love and coming home with a little sugar in their pocket is a great motivator and the best way you can show your appreciation for their efforts. If you can afford a guided hunt, you can afford the tip as the two go hand and glove when budgeting and planning your next adventure. Did you find this article helpful? Any experiences you’d like to share? Please like and comment. Best Regards, Paul Bourgeois

A Game-Changing Long-Range Hunting Rifle and Huskemaw Optics Combo The recently released 7mm PRC AlTopo long-range hunting rifle from Best Of The West Arms is an exciting new innovation in the long-range hunting space. Topped with the Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter, it’s going to be hard to overlook this latest offering from the pioneers of long-range hunting. The Innovation in Long-Range Hunting The AlTopo long-range hunting rifle is known for its precision and accuracy, making it a popular choice among serious long-range hunters. It is designed to deliver exceptional performance at extended distances, sometimes exceeding 1,000 yards. The rifle is carefully crafted with high-quality materials and components to ensure durability and reliability in demanding hunting conditions. Since their release in 2022, AlTopo rifles have been praised for their excellent craftsmanship, advanced features, and exceptional accuracy, which greatly enhance a hunter's long-range shooting capabilities. Stylish and Customizable: AlTopo's Unique Features and Finishes For the AlTopo models, BOTW Arms chose a McMillan stock with a cool topo map-style finish that lends itself to the AlTopo name. Last year's 6.5 and 300 PRC models sport the hunter green finish while the new desert tan color scheme is currently available in the 7mm PRC only. The AlTopo line comes equipped with a Trigger Tech trigger and steel barrel. Last year’s model comes standard with a 24” steel barrel while the new 7 PRC system sports a 22” steel barrel. All barrels come with helical fluting, a threaded side-port muzzle brake and are suppressor-ready! Optic options vary for the AlTopo as well as the 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC models come standard with a Huskemaw 5-20x50 Blue Diamond (although Best Of The West Arizona can upgrade it to the 5-20x50 or 5-30x56 Tactical Hunter for a small fee). The new 7 PRC AlTopo rifle comes standard with the Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter, offering several more key features for the serious hunter/shooter. Having now tested both models and all calibers of the AlTopo line we can proudly attest to the system's accuracy and value. With retail price points of $6995 and $7995 respectively, the 6.5 and 300 PRC models along with the new 7 PRC option are causing many hunters to take pause and rethink their approach into long-range hunting. With prices of premium custom hunting rifles coming in at well over the $10K mark these days, the relatively low price point of the AlTopo coupled with exceptional performance has many hunters excited about the possibility of owning a custom sub-MOA rifle, at a price that won’t break the bank. Finally, its worth noting that these rifle systems come as a complete package which includes a hard case, 40 rounds of ammo, a windmeter, dual stack turrets calibrated for 3K/7K ft. elevation and are guaranteed and proven to 1,000 yards! Weighing in at under 9.5 lbs. scoped, what’s not to like about these systems! Optics: Huskemaw's Superiority in Long-Range Shooting Huskemaw optics are specifically designed for long-range shooting and hunting applications and they’re the go-to hunting optic for Best Of The West rifles. Huskemaw is renowned for their precision and clarity, enabling shooters to make accurate shots at extended distances. Huskemaw scopes incorporate advanced features such as adjustable parallax, ballistic compensation, and high-quality optics to provide clear and detailed views of the target. Scopes on these systems come with custom elevation turrets calibrated to the specific ballistic profile of the selected ammo, allowing shooters to quickly and accurately adjust for bullet drop at different distances. Huskemaw optics are highly regarded for their reliability, ease of use, and ability to enhance the shooter's accuracy and confidence in long-range engagements. Huskemaw Optics also comes with a lifetime warranty, but unlike other brands, it’s a lifetime warranty you’ll never use! Together, the AlTopo long-range hunting rifle and Huskemaw optics form a formidable combination for those pursuing long-range hunting. When used together, they offer the shooter exceptional precision, extended effective range, and a reliable platform to take accurate shots at distant targets. To find out which Altopo system best meets your needs, shoot us a call for a free consultation and we’ll help you get into a great long-range hunting system this season.

Preparing Physically, Technically, and Mentally for a Successful Long-Range Hunt Long-range hunting requires more than just a steady hand and a sharp eye. It requires a level of physical fitness, mental focus, and technical training that can take months or even years to develop. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the key factors that hunters need to consider when preparing for a long-range hunt. Physical Fitness Long-range hunting involves a lot of physical activity, including hiking, climbing, and carrying heavy gear over long distances. If you're not in good shape, you may find it difficult to keep up with the demands of the hunt. To prepare your body for the physical challenges of long-range hunting, it's important to start a fitness program well before your hunting trip. Cardiovascular fitness is particularly important for long-range hunting, as you may need to hike long distances at high altitudes. Running, cycling, or hiking are all great ways to build cardiovascular endurance. Strength training is also essential, as it will help you carry your gear and maintain your balance while taking shots. Focus on exercises that target your legs, back, and core muscles. In addition to cardiovascular and strength training, nutrition and supplementation play a vital role in preparing for a long-range hunt. Proper nutrition and supplementation can improve endurance, aid in muscle recovery, and provide the energy needed for strenuous outdoor activities. Consuming a balanced diet that includes lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats is essential for optimal physical performance. Additionally, supplements such as protein powders, amino acids, and electrolyte replacements can provide essential nutrients to support training and aid in recovery. One reputable brand of supplements for hunters is Wilderness Athlete. They offer a range of products specifically designed for hunters, including energy bars, hydration drinks, and supplements to enhance endurance and focus. However, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before adding supplements to your diet to ensure that they are safe and effective for your individual needs. (link wilderness athlete products) Training Long-range hunting also requires technical training to develop the skills necessary to make accurate shots at long distances. This includes proficiency with a rifle, knowledge of ballistics and optics, and experience with wind and weather conditions. If you're new to long-range hunting, it's important to seek out professional training from experienced hunters or instructors. Best of the West Arizona holds group and private lessons and can teach you the fundamentals of shooting, help you select the right rifle and optics, and provide guidance on how to read wind and weather conditions using Huskemaw's patented wind correction equipment and system. (link shooting schools page) Mental Preparedness Long-range hunting requires a high level of mental focus and discipline. Hunters must be able to maintain their concentration for long periods of time, and they must be able to make split-second decisions under pressure. Meditation and visualization exercises can help you develop the mental focus necessary for long-range hunting. These practices can also help you stay calm and centered when faced with challenging situations. We have put together a short list of resources that you can use to help improve your focus and concentration: 1. The Mindful Movement - This channel offers a variety of meditations and exercises designed to improve focus and concentration, including a "10-Minute Guided Meditation for Increasing Focus and Concentration." 2. Sam Harris - Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, and author who offers a variety of guided meditations on his channel. His "Waking Up" app also includes a series of meditations designed to improve focus and concentration. 3. How to Control Breathing While Shooting - In the video, the creators detail how to control breathing in different shooting environments. Watch this overview and see if you can incorporate this into your practice. Remember, consistent practice is key when it comes to developing focus and concentration through meditation and breathing. Experiment with different guides and techniques to find what works best for you, and make meditation a regular part of your routine. In addition to mental preparation, it's important to be emotionally prepared for the hunt. This means accepting the reality that hunting involves taking the life of an animal and being respectful and grateful for the opportunity to hunt. Conclusion Preparing for a long-range hunt requires a significant investment of time and energy, but the rewards can be great. By focusing on physical fitness, technical training, and mental preparedness, hunters can develop the skills and confidence necessary to make accurate shots at long distances. With the right preparation, long-range hunting can be a challenging and rewarding experience that connects you with the natural world and tests your skills to the limit.

Best of the West was featured in a recent Huntin’ Fool article detailing ethics and training when preparing for a hunt. The article also pays tribute to the late Dominic Pasquale, a friend of BOTWAZ and the Long-Range Community. On behalf of everyone at BOTWAZ and all that knew Dominic Pasquale, we continue to offer our condolences to his family and friends. It is clear to all who knew Dominic that he had a passion for long-range hunting, and his contributions will be sorely missed. It is heartwarming to see how much he was appreciated and considered a great friend by those who knew and worked with him. Thank you to Huntin’ Fool for acknowledging Dominic and his commitment to his family, friends, ethics, and the sport we all love. Regarding the article itself, the concept of long-range hunting is indeed controversial, and the ethics surrounding it are understandably debated. The article rightly points out that understanding one's personal limitations and the abilities of one's equipment are key to answering ethical questions around this topic. It is important to remember that long-range hunting should only be practiced by those who are ethical, proficient shooters with the right equipment. At BOTWAZ, we take this consideration to heart and believe that we each hold a responsibility to make ethical decisions in the field, respect our limitations, and respect the incredible privilege we have to harvest this game to provide for our family. The benefits of long-range hunting are also explored in this article, including increasing effective range, having a better-shot set-up, capitalizing on the moment, and obtaining optimal table fare. However, it is important to note that these benefits should not be the primary driving force behind long-range hunting, as ethical considerations should always come first. In terms of training, the article provides useful tips, tactics, and drills for solidifying one's path to effective long-range hunting, including establishing a starting point, training with the elements, and practicing in the prone position. At BOTWAZ we take pride in offering high-level training programs for groups and private sessions where we cover in detail all the skills necessary for ethical and effective long-range hunting. Overall, while long-range hunting may not be for everyone, the article provides thoughtful insights into the topic and encourages readers to consider the ethics and personal limitations associated with it. Check out the Huntin’ Fools article here and continue to practice, perfect, and respect all aspects of the sport we love so much: https://www.huntinfool.com/articles/type/partner-articles/a-closer-look-at-long-range-hunting

Another Happy Hunter Details Her BOTWAZ Build System In Blog Post We love it when our customers are happy. We take pride in providing hunters with top-of-the-line equipment and when we heard that Lady Shooter Journal wrote an article about her new Frontier Chassis System we were excited to check it out. Overall we are ecstatic that she has had a great experience with her system. She demonstrates a firm grasp of its uses and offers a customer perspective on using her system in the field. If you want a great overview (and amazing photos) of her use of the Frontier Chassis System, check out her blog post featured here: Not Just a Mountain Rifle... And to view all our options Visit our Shooting Systems page for our custom platforms or the Ready to Ship page for rifles ready to hunt as soon as they arrive.

Andrea details her experience getting to know her new Signature Series Rifle named "Elsa" Andrea is a Prostaff member of Best of the West Arizona and we are excited to have her as part of the family. She is headed to Africa and features her first impressions and practices with her new Signature Series rifle in preparation for her adventure. We are so excited that she loves her system and it fills us with pride that a seasoned hunter like herself is over the moon about her new system. If you want to read her remarks click the link below and follow her journey to Africa with her new Signature Series she has named "Elsa". Andrea & Elsa go to Africa! Good luck and safe travels in Africa Andrea! We can't wait to see the trophy pictures when you get back! And to view all our options Visit our Shooting Systems page for our custom platforms or the Ready to Ship page for rifles ready to hunt as soon as they arrive.

Why are we still discussing the ethics of long-range hunting? Good question! Why is it that most of the criticism surrounding the practice of long-range hunting comes from fellow hunters?! Another great question! I decided to cover this topic following a presentation I delivered on this very subject at the SCI (Safari Club International) conference in Nashville last week. The seminar was well attended by both men and woman who, as best I could determine, are long-range hunting enthusiast. Those in the class who haven’t hunted long-range before were particularly interested in someday doing so. Seminars I’ve hosted in the past were also largely attended by hunters engaging in the sport, however it isn’t uncommon to encounter someone who has strong feelings against the practice. Occasionally, I encounter barriers even within the hunting industry regarding long-range hunting. For example, one author I spoke to recently was interested in writing an article about our long-range systems but his editor would not allow any mention of hunting/shooting at distances beyond 400 yards – a random self-imposed “ethical” limit. Despite these biases, I think I can make a pretty good argument for long-range hunting as an principled means of harvesting big game. To set the stage, long-range hunting refers to the practice of hunting game animals from a distance of several hundred yards, often using specialized equipment such as high-powered rifles and specially designed optics. While long-range hunting can be an effective way to harvest game, it comes with its share of criticism. Long-range hunting is an endeavor born out of necessity in the big expanses of the western U.S. Hunters sought to be more accurate and consistent in their shooting so they could capitalize on their investment of time, energy and effort when hunting wide-open and often rugged terrain. Over time, hunters went afield with more proficient systems featuring high quality rifle components and larger more capable optics to ensure fast and efficient harvests. One of the main ethical concerns with long-range hunting is the potential for poor shot placement which could result in a wounded animal. Hunting at longer ranges requires significant skill and experience as well as a comprehensive understanding of ballistics and environmental conditions but even with these factors in place, there is a risk of error. With that said, I’d ask you to go back and reread the last paragraph but this time replace the term “long-range” with whatever weapon or circumstance you choose. Archery, muzzleloader, rifle hunting through dense vegetation, even handgun hunting, and tell me if the same risks apply. Is there not the potential for poor shot placement when using all these weapons? Is there not a risk of wounding game when hunting from a tree stand with a bow or still hunting with a rifle through thick forests? These are rhetorical questions of course as we all intuitively know, regardless of weapon or terrain, hunting is a challenging endeavor and the potential for wounding game is always present. No one likes to see an animal suffer needlessly which is why this can be an emotional subject; however, I believe that it’s every ethical hunters’ goal to harvest animals as quickly and cleanly as possible to minimize pain and suffering. No rational human being wants to see an animal suffer. Whether you’re tracking big bucks through the evergreen swamps of upstate Maine or hunting from a platform above an Illinois corn field or shooting across a rugged Utah canyon, there’s always the potential for a bad shot. Regardless of weapon or the style of hunting, sportsmen and woman have a moral obligation to the game they purse to achieve a high degree of competency with their weapon and know how to use it in a variety of circumstances and conditions. This responsibility further extends to only taking shots within your limits and abilities. For instance, an archer who trains and is proficient to 60 yards but then takes an 80-yard shot in the heat of the moment may be just as guilty of being “unethical” as any long-range hunter who likewise attempts a shot outside their effective range. Whether we’re talking about archers using modern day compound bows or hunters still hunting with rifles through dense cover or the hunter traversing big country where shots beyond 200 yards are probable, there are some straight up killers among us. You know these people too. They’re super proficient with their weapons and they experience higher than average success rates when hunting. For many of these hunters they’ve turned their attention over the years to trophy hunting and the challenge of taking mature older-age-class animals as a means of leveling the playing field. Their skill and proficiency has enabled them to hunt the most challenging of game animals and yet they still prevail and tag out with great frequency. This caliber of hunter exists in all classes and categories of hunting and we shouldn’t assume for a moment that only one type of hunter is more ethical, more skilled, more proficient or otherwise more capable than another. I once heard an industry professional whom I respect greatly suggest during a podcast that only 10% of hunters on any given public land hunt are what he called, “killers”. While many more may be successful, he was pointing out that only a small percentage of hunters are so skilled with their weapon that they pose a serious threat to their prey every time they leave camp. To his point, I would argue that there are just as many highly skilled and proficient long-range hunters per capita as there are skilled archers hunting out of tree stands or hunters using primitive weapons such as muzzleloaders or long bows. I also think there’s proportionately just as many bad actors out there who have no business hunting any animal with any weapon. I feel that most who are quick to criticize long-range hunting don’t truly understand what it’s all about. For example, there are many places in this country where, due to vegetation and terrain, hunters rarely encounter a deer or elk beyond 80 yards, and a 100-yard shot (even with a rifle) would be a “long” shot by comparison. For some of these individuals the idea of a 400- or 500-yard shot on an animal can be inconceivable. Until you’ve actually set foot in big country like we have out west one might never fully appreciate the challenges and opportunities western hunters experience during a hunt. My own father who lives back east and hunts densely wooded forests for whitetail deer cannot fathom encountering deer and elk at long ranges. It doesn’t compute for him that these critters can actually detect you from several hundred yards away. Many hunters cannot conceive that 500 yards might be as close as one can get to an animal in any given circumstance. In big country, animals can detect hunters from distances that might seem unimaginable to some and attempting to close the distance may very well cancel any hopes you had of bagging that trophy. Long-range hunting often allows hunters to take shots from distances where they’re undetected by their prey. While this may go against some people’s concept of fair chase, I would argue that setting up to take a shot on an animal that doesn’t even know you’re there may in fact be considerably more ethical than taking a shot at a spooked or running animal or one that is otherwise aware of your presence. Have you ever seen a deer jump the string of a hunters bow? Having time to set up, get prone, ensure two points of contact on your rifle so that you’re rock-solid steady before easing into the trigger of a quality and competent long-range rifle is a deadly combination of events that often results in an extremely high success rate for long-range hunters. While many hunters like me will argue that using long-range equipment and tactics allows for a more humane and selective harvest, others believe that it detracts from the challenge of hunting. But, who gets to define what is considered “challenging” on my hunt or what is considered an “ethical” means of harvesting? Every hunter, regardless of weapon or hunting style should know their effective range with their weapon of choice. With long-range shooting, your effective range is dependent on many factors including the quality of the rifle and optics you choose, the position which you shoot from, as well as your training, knowledge and experience. Shooting from a prone position is not the same as shooting free hand which is not the same as shooting from a pair of shooting sticks. Each position and the use of various adjuncts will increase or decrease your effective range. It’s also important to note that just because we market our long-range rifles as “1,000 Yard” systems does not mean we’re suggesting you go out and shoot animals at that distance. We’re simply stating that these systems are extremely capable but they’re only as capable as the human being holding them. They’re not magic, you won’t be able to hit targets at that distance unless you know how to use it. But even then, we’re not suggesting you’re a 1,000-yard capable hunter just by virtue of owning one. Heck, I’ve owned one for many years, I train almost daily and I don’t care to shoot an animal beyond 800 yards, even in ideal conditions. Please do not confuse the rifles capabilities with your own and don’t take the industry’s marketing jargon to suggest we’re proponents of stunt-shooting. I suppose I’m a “long-range hunter” by virtue of hunting in big country, carrying a weapon capable of precise long-range shots and by virtue of taking those shots when an opportunity presents itself. Truth be told, I’m here for the hunt, not to make a long shot. I don’t set out to shoot a particular distance, I’m not trying to break a personal record or to make a statement with my shot. The hunt isn’t about that for me. However, I happen to carry a system that enables me to shoot long distances when the situation warrants and I’ll take that shot when conditions are suitable to do so and I don’t apologize for it. I don’t apologize for being successful, or for a clean ethical harvest, or for bringing wholesome natural food home to my family. The idea that other hunters, my fellow hunters, would be the first ones to criticize is very concerning. At a time when ALL hunting sports are under increasing attack, we should be able to put our insignificant differences aside and agree that we have to stand together and defend our lifestyle against those who wish to see it eradicated altogether. Hunters criticizing hunters plays right into the anti-hunter’s playbook. They’ll use our own words and arguments to fuel the outrage against us and they’re a relentless and powerful lobby capable of eradicating what we’ve long considered a right. In short, demonstrate support for your fellow hunter because the “Anti’s” don’t need any help! I’ll be the first to tell you, long-range hunting isn’t for everyone and it’s not the type of hunting you should engage in if you don’t have the proper equipment and training and knowledge to do so. Hunters should consider their own personal values and ethics before engaging in long-range hunting and if it’s not for you, simply don’t do it! Ultimately, the decision to engage in long-range hunting is a personal one that should be based on a thorough understanding of the potential risks and ethical considerations involved. Hunters should prioritize the safety and welfare of the animals they hunt and practice with their weapon until they’ve gained proficiency at all reasonable distances. The goal being to determine your effective range and to shoot within these capabilities when hunting. The potential for poor shot placement is not unique to long-range hunting and the criticism that emerges from within the hunting community serves only to divide us and strengthen our adversaries. As a long-range hunter, be considerate of the image you portray to others. Taking risky shots, unsupported shots or unreasonably long shots just for the sake of bragging rights are behaviors that give us all a bad name. Be responsible, ethical and professional in your pursuits. Strive for excellence with your system, upgrade your equipment to improve accuracy and overall results and only take shots you know with reasonable certainty you can make.

Well wouldn’t you know it, there’s a hot new caliber hitting the market and as expected, it’s a Hornady. Hornady has been leading the hunting/sporting market for several years with exceptional cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, and 300 PRC. Their latest innovation, the 7mm PRC, seems destined to change the future of long-range big-game hunting once again. I get asked almost daily what calibers I recommend for hunting big game. If you’re a customer of mine you likely know my top three; 7mmMag, 6.5 PRC, and 28 Nosler (in no particular order). All three of these calibers are exceptional loads for the ethical harvest of big-game animals including deer, bear, and elk. All three hit hard and have very manageable recoil making them comfortable and practical for a wide range of hunters. These three will always be among my top recommendations, and many in the long-range hunting industry will agree, but we can’t ignore what's happening over at Hornady with this new cartridge. It’s said to be an improvement over the classic 7mmMag and some even say it’s destined to replace it altogether! Can this be true? Will the 7mmMag be replaced? Only time will tell what the future holds for one of the most popular long-range hunting calibers ever created. I know a lot of 7mmMag loyalists who will go down with that ship but there’s a lot of buzz about this new round so let's dive in. The 7mm PRC is new this year. Introduced this past June when the SAAMI specs were released it’s turning a lot of heads and is being called the “modern-day 7mmMag”. The 7mm PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) is a long-action cartridge designed to shoot 180-grain ELDM bullets at 2,950 fps. In a nutshell, it will hit harder, shoot flatter and carry more kinetic energy down range with a little more felt recoil than the 7mmMag. Is it an improvement over the 7mmMag? Well, that’s up to you to decide but it's hard to argue with the improved ballistics. It’s worth noting that when we’re discussing the top long-range hunting calibers on the market today we’re really splitting hairs. They all have excellent terminal performance and they all carry more than enough kinetic energy for the ethical harvest of big-game at extended ranges. That being said, the 7mm PRC appears to be a marked improvement over the 7mmMag, and for many hunters that increase in performance is significant and relevant enough to warrant an upgrade. In my opinion, a lot of hunters overly focus on muzzle velocity when kinetic energy down range, more specifically at 1,000 yards, is a better metric to focus on for long-range hunters. Knowing down-range kinetic energy tells us the “effective range” for any given caliber. For example, many popular hunting cartridges like the .270, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 30-.06 run out of gas and fall below 1,000 ft. lbs. threshold around the 600 – 700-yard mark. And while that’s a long way for sure, many western hunters want a caliber that’s still pushing significant energy to 1,000 yards. 1,000 ft. lbs. at 1,000 yards is a general rule I use when evaluating calibers for the purposes of long-range hunting. With most popular hunting bullets the 7mmMag is still pushing about 1,000 lbs. of energy between 800 - 900 yards but the 7mm PRC has much-improved energy at long-range (1499 ft. lbs. @ 1,000 yards!) and that’s a critical factor for me. Below you can see the difference just at the muzzle. Another important factor for me is recoil. I don’t care for a lot of recoil because I like to stay in the scope and be able to spot my shot whenever possible. As you can see from the table below the 7mm PRC has more recoil than the 7mmMag but it’s still going to be within the acceptable range for most shooters. There is still much to be written about this new cartridge. In summary, I think the 7mm purists are going to like it, especially those looking for something new. It’s faster, flatter shooting (drops less than 20” at 400 yards), hits harder, and is still comfortable to shoot when compared to the 7mmMag. At ‘The Best Of The West’ we’re building the 7mm PRC right now and customers are lining up to get their hands on them. If you love the classic, you have to respect this latest innovation and it will no doubt follow in the footsteps of the ever-popular 6.5 PRC and 300 PRC. Shoot us a call for more information! -Paul

After retiring from the fire service in 2017 I started guiding full-time. Not long after, I started Best Of The West Arizona (BOTWAZ). Guiding coupled with owning a long-range rifle company has afforded me numerous opportunities to work with hunters/shooters of all backgrounds and experience levels. Today, I am fortunate to be part of a dozen or more harvests a year with our Best Of The West/Huskemaw long-range systems. Between shooting schools, teaching private lessons, and guiding customers I get to see a lot of the mistakes shooters make. I’m often the one helping them avoid mistakes by showing them how to shoot correctly in the field so they can score their big buck or bull. This is arguably one of the most rewarding things I do, and in fact, it’s the reason I started BOTWAZ in the first place - to help hunters succeed! The purpose of this article is to share with you my observations and experiences hunting and shooting alongside dozens of sportsmen and women so that you can hopefully avoid the gut-wrenching enduring pain and disappointment we experience when we miss a trophy animal. Being in this business affords me a front-row seat to some of the most baffling, borderline ridiculous approaches to long-range hunting/shooting you can imagine. What I've ascertained from these experiences is that a lot of hunters are poor shots at best. Many hunters are largely unfamiliar with their rifle, its shooting characteristics, proper shooting technique, and the principles necessary to be accurate and consistent beyond 200 yards. I suppose this is job security for me but again, I’m here to help so I’m going to share with you a few tips that should go a long way to helping long-range hunters bag more game. I compiled a list of the top 5 things I see every year along with my personal tips for doing it right and avoiding mistakes in the field. These 5 things are not in any particular order. They’re all equally important when it comes to being prepared for your hunt and making a one-shot kill in the field. Let’s get started! #1 Didn’t Sight In Or Prepare I can't tell you how many hunting clients I've taken out who showed up in camp bragging about what an ace long-range shooter they are only to fail on the first opportunity at our target buck/bull. Today, I insist clients use my BOTW systems because I got tired of missing target animals after scouting so hard. I’ve seen too many guys who think they’re training “long-range” but have never shot beyond 200 yards. They think they’re prepared because they printed up a drop chart and taped it to their rifle stock. Or their brother-in-law set them up with a “sweet” ballistic app on their phone. Inevitably these hunters learn the hard way that these methods are mostly unreliable in long-range situations. Drop charts and data provided by ballistic calculators are unreliable in raw form. The information provided by these means must be verified at long ranges before it can be counted on for an actual hunt. Relying on ballistic calculators or drop charts for your shot solution without verifying the data is just guessing and it's a sure way to miss as these methods are largely unreliable beyond 500 yards. My Long-Range Technicians use ballistic calculators in a limited capacity every day when collecting data for customers' rifles and I can tell you without fail that calculators are almost always off by 2-5 clicks at ranges beyond 500 yards. On an actual hunt, this can mean missing by a little or missing by a lot but either way, you miss and that's never a fun scenario. If you choose to use conventional rifle scopes that require you use a ballistic calculator or a drop chart taped to your stock be sure to train with it at ranges you're likely to shoot on your hunt. Practicing at 200 yards for a hunt where 600-700 yard shots are probable is a poor way to prepare. Simply put, you’ll never become familiar with your rifle's true long-range shooting characteristics. Likewise, you need to see for yourself where drop charts and calculators fall short so you can make the proper adjustments to your dope before your hunt begins. Our Huskmemaw systems avoid all this nonsense because we’ve captured, verified, and trued your rifle's ballistic data by shooting it in the field out to 1,000 yards. This provides us the information we need to then cut your custom turret. Your bullets' drag model and shooting characteristics have been etched for eternity on your custom turret. We have, in fact, eliminated the guess! The custom turret on a Huskemaw Optic is in essence your bullet's ballistic “fingerprint” and it's right there for you to see and use. That's why we say, just RANGE, DIAL, and SHOOT! #2 Failure To Locate Target Animal In The Scope Target Acquisition is arguably the toughest thing for a lot of hunters. More specifically I’m referring to the ability to go from watching the animal in your binoculars or spotting scope to then relocating the animal in your rifle scope. I’ve seen hunters take up to 20 minutes to locate animals that, in my opinion, were not hard to find. This can result in long delays to a shot or perhaps even a missed opportunity altogether. We have a section in our long-range school and private lessons dedicated just to this topic and we teach a very specific method for acquiring your target in the scope. This discipline must be practiced and when you do so you can cut your re-acquisition time down to just a few seconds. In a nutshell, our tactics involve using terrain features proximal to your animal to help you acquire your target. These terrain features are used to help you identify the approximate location of your target animal. In big country, it can be hard to see your animal with the naked eye but you can often see terrain features like the contour of the ridgeline against the sky, large trees or boulders, oddly shaped vegetation of patterns or clumps of vegetation near your animal to help you zero in on their location. Using these terrain features along with proper technique to get into position is key. Too many times I watch a hunter break from their bino’s and take their eye off the terrain, lie down to get prone, fumble around with the rifle a bit then aim it in the general direction of the animal only to be searching all over the place to relocate. A more methodical approach will help. For example, we teach students to repeatedly break their eyes from their spotting optics to look at the terrain features around their animal. Only when they are completely confident where the animal is located on that distal ridge are they allowed to move into position. But, as they move into a shooting position we teach them to keep their head up and their eyes on those terrain features they've identified. We teach them to then get down on their knees keeping their shoulders square to the target. Before they get any lower into a prone position we teach them to then line up their muzzle to the target. Again, they may not be able to see the animal itself, especially with deer-sized game, but they can point their muzzle toward the terrain features proximal to their target. Then they slowly ease into position, keeping their heads up and eyes on the target, before they get in the scope. When done properly the shooter can quickly locate their noted terrain features and then walk their eye into the target animal, usually in a matter of seconds. Developing this skill helps insure you get a shot off quickly, without unnecessary delays, and may mean the difference between a lifelong memory of a successful hunt or going home empty-handed. Animals move off to bed, bucks run off chasing does or to challenge other rutting bucks so the faster you can get into position the better. Also, don’t discount the fact that other hunters may be bearing down on the same target animal as you at first light, so time is of the essence! #3 Not Shooting From A Prone Position So many bad shots or missed opportunities could have been salvaged if the shooter had simply shot from a prone position. To be clear, “prone” is chest down, lying flat on the ground. Prone is arguably the most stable shooting position there is and there's rarely a better substitute for shooting in this manner. Trust me, I’ve come across “that guy” who claims he’s shot everything under the sun from a standing free-hand position at 500 yards in 30 MPH crosswinds while the animal was on a dead run. Yup, I’ve met that guy several times but unless you’re as remarkable as he is, us mere mortals should always, with very few exceptions, be shooting from a prone position. The virtues of the prone position cannot be overstated and I could spend a lot of time writing about it but trust me when I say this is how you should be shooting long-range. I’ve heard every excuse why a guy “couldn't” get prone. More often the reality is that they simply didn't try. Too many hunters find the first excuse they can to not get prone and they wind up shooting from an unsupported position such as free-hand, kneeling, or leaning against a tree. I had a student once that I took out for a lesson. He had a brand new tack-driving custom BOTW rifle and Huskemaw 5-30x56, the crown jewel of hunting rifles. This guy was smashing targets with ease beyond 800 yards from a prone position the entire lesson. As always I was emphatic about how important the prone position was and he left his lesson a total believer, or so I thought. A few weeks later he goes on a hunt and misses a great big buck at 500 yards. When I asked him what happened he gestured like he was shooting standing up. I asked if he shot prone and he said no, “The grass was too tall.” Man, I’ll tell ya, I was so disappointed when I heard that. After all, we’d talked about and all I taught him about long-range shooting I couldn't believe he would even attempt an unsupported shot like that at that range. But wait, here’s where it gets good! He then explained that after he missed that buck he did indeed find a place just a few yards away that allowed him to get prone. He wound up taking a lesser buck from that spot in a prone position like he was trained. That hunter learned a hard lesson that day. If he had only prioritized getting prone from the start he would have found that better location the first time around and more than likely harvested that bigger buck. Following that conversation, I began using the phrase, “Fight to get prone!” This is one of my new mantras. I've found that too many hunters just don't want to be bothered getting down in a prone position and they’ll find any excuse to avoid doing so. “Grass is too tall”, “The ground is too rocky”, “There was a cactus”, “My neck hurts”, etc., etc. Stop making excuses. Fight to get prone! When I’m in the field I face the same challenges as these hunters, the difference is that we fight to get prone. We don't take risky shots standing, kneeling, or whatever else guys do. We always manage to find a way to get prone and quite frankly that's why we go home with trophy animals. Plan to shoot prone and make an effort to do so. You’ll see your groups tighten up. You’ll become more consistent and more accurate with your rifle and you’ll hit your target more frequently. I’ve only met a few hunters that had serious enough physical limitations that made prone a poor option for them. The moral of the story is most hunters CAN get prone and SHOULD get prone. And that’s a good segway to #4, using two points of contact. #4 Failing to Use Two Points Of Contact It's not enough to just get prone. Getting prone is a great start but your setup in that prone position will be a deal-breaker on those longer shots. If you've bought into what I’m saying so far and you're committed to getting prone all you need now is two points of contact (POC). For instance, you may see our setups on social media or on our website where we’re using a small lightweight shooting tripod in the front (1st POC) and some ultra-lightweight shooting bags in the rear under the butt stock (2nd POC). With this setup, we have two points of contact stabilizing the rifle. This affords the rifle great stability and it allows us to get the gun “rock-solid”. Only using a single POC creates a fulcrum, a teeter-totter, that then has to be stabilized. Many shooters throw their rifle over a backpack and then attempt to suck the butt stock into their shoulder to stabilize the gun. However, I’ve yet to see a hunter who can stabilize the rifle well enough in this manner for consistent shot placement beyond a couple of hundred yards. Using two points of contact, however, is the way to go and even an average shooter can make great shots at really long distances when using a rock-solid platform like this. As mentioned, our preferred adjuncts are our shooting tripod for the fore stock and bags for the rear. It's a lightweight setup and takes just seconds to deploy. It's what we use for every lesson, every shooting school, and every hunt. We avoid bipods due to their unpredictable and inconsistent nature. I've just had poor luck using them. I’m much more accurate shooting off our tripod because it's not attached to the gun and the leather head allows the rifle to “free-recoil” back into the shooter and avoid the unpredictable muzzle jump often associated with bipod setups. The rear shooting bags are super light and with a three-bag combo, I have precisely the tools I need to stabilize the gun for any angle shot. Achieving two points of contact can also be done with backpacks, water bottles, rocks, and other improvised means in the field. The main points are to get the rifle stable, front end, and back end; watch that the front sling stud doesn't make contact with anything upon recoil; be sure you're supporting the fore stock in the front, and never put anything under the barrel as this will change your point of impact. If you do not rock-solid, make an adjustment. Add more stability to the front or rear as needed and make the rifle solid. When you do this you can do remarkable things! #5 Failing To Compensate For Wind The biggest variable in long-range shooting is the wind. Assuming all other aspects of the shot are occurring as described in this article, your next greatest variable is wind. How big a variable is primarily dependent on the wind's speed and the distance of the shot. A strong wind can be a factor even at 200 yards and the farther the shot the more the wind can and will displace your bullet. I have a buddy who took our system out for his son's junior deer hunt a few years ago. He was hunting with another friend who he said was a “very experienced hunter”. Yet when it came time for the shot, the friend discouraged them from compensating for the wind because he didn't think it was a big deal. Well, the wind is a very big deal, and when they called to tell me the bad news they explained that they missed by the distance they should have compensated for wind. When we talked through the wind scenario we determined they should have been holding 3 MOA at 700 yards. That's 21”! Yes, wind is a big deal! Let’s use an example of a 500-yard shot and assume a 10 MPH crosswind. With most popular hunting calibers that bullet will be subject to approximately 2 MOA or 10” of wind drift. That's a lot of drift when you’re trying to make an ethical shot on an animal. Failing to compensate for wind in this scenario could result in a miss, a wounded animal or maybe even hitting the wrong animal. Shooting long-range at animals requires a higher level of discipline and commitment than someone who’s simply ringing steel. If you're taking a firearm afield and plan to harvest game at ranges beyond a couple of hundred yards you owe it to the animals you're pursuing to train, practice, and become proficient calibrating and compensating for wind. As a long-range instructor who works with several students a week I can tell you learning to read and call a wind solution is harder than it looks. Even using a digital wind meter and doing everything seemingly correct can result in a poor wind call. It takes a lot of time and practice to gain proficiency. With the Huskemaw system, your wind solution is printed right on the turret. This is patented by Huskemaw so no one else can print your wind solution on the turret. Everyone else has to dial for wind-based on a solution provided by a ballistic calculator, otherwise many shooters admittedly simply guess. I'm always a little taken back by the number of hunters who think it's perfectly acceptable in a long-range hunting scenario to miss their first few shots and simply walk their bullet into the target after watching their misses. I mean this is actually part of their game plan! We on the other hand build one-shot systems and that's precisely what they’re capable of when used correctly. With a good wind call, you can hit your target on the first shot. The Huskemaw system does not require a big bulky expensive wind meter or weather station because your wind solution is printed on the turret. Those other systems are overkill and very expensive, often costing the hunter hundreds to thousands of dollars. Our systems on the other hand require a simple digital wind meter (about $90) and a little bit of practice to learn how to use it. On a Huskemaw turret for example, if you have a 500 yard shot and a 10 MPH crosswind, you’ll see a small #2 printed above and near the “5” (500-yard) mark which is telling you to hold 2 MOA or two Huskemasw hash marks into the wind. Maybe the wind isn't blowing 10 MPH. Let’s assume it's only a 5 MPH wind (half of 10 MPH), In that case, simply cut that “2” MOA hold in half and hold 1 MOA or 1 Huskemaw hash mark. Simple! That's why the other guys hate us. Super easy, fast, and accurate to use. I hope you found this information helpful. Shooting long-range isn't easy but the process has been largely simplified using the Huskemaw Advantage. If you have any questions regarding the content of this article or any other one on our Blog please email me or give us a call. I’d be happy to explain anything discussed here in greater detail. Better yet, expand on this information by attending one of our long-range shooting schools, hosting a BOTWAZ shooting school near you, or attending a private lesson with us. In the meantime be sure to follow our social media accounts as we’re always posting helpful tips and information relative to long-range hunting and precision shooting. Again, if you ever have any questions please don't hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to help!

Choosing the best optic to compliment your system and specific needs Measure Twice, Cut Once At Best of the West Arizona, everything we do is geared toward helping hunters harvest big game with one shot as clean and ethically as possible and nothing is as rewarding as seeing our customers' hunts end with a big ole buck, bull, or ram. We genuinely care about your success in the field and we’ll make sure you’re set up properly, right from the start. That being said, choosing the right Huskemaw Optic for your custom build or Accurizer Service can be somewhat of a challenge. Over the years, we’ve had numerous customers switch scope models after the fact because they didn’t consult with us before selecting their optic the first time around. There’s a lot to consider when choosing your optic as the features and capabilities of Huskemaw models can vary. In this article, I’ll walk you through the features of each model scope as well as the thought processes I use when pairing customers with the Huskemaw Optic that's best for them. Things always work out better for our customers when they consult with us first. We’re experts in this field, we do this every day, we know the Huskemaw brand as well as anybody and we won’t steer you wrong. Give us a call ahead of time and let us help you do it right the first time. Some of the things I need to know from customers is how they plan to use their long-range system, what caliber they’re shooting, what species they plan to hunt, the conditions and terrain features of the areas they hunt, as well as their budget. All these factors combined help me zero in on the best optic to suit their unique and individual needs. So lets break it down by product. Huskemaw 5-30x56 Tactical Hunter The 5-30x56 Tactical Hunter is by far our personal favorite and it also happens to be our #1 seller. The 5-30 has been our “go-to” for many years because it is the perfect combination of features and capabilities for the conditions we hunt and the game we pursue. Arizona and the other western states we hunt offer big open terrain so we prefer the larger 56mm objective for its wider field of view and the 30x magnification for getting in tight on the target before we break a shot. In big country like we have out west, the wide field of view of the 56mm objective helps the hunter see the terrain features around their target as reference points when acquiring and relocating their target. Then, when it's time to zoom in and make the shot, you’ve got 30x magnification to get you in close. I routinely have customers at the shop just amazed at the difference between 20x and 30x magnification when I set them up looking at a nearby hillside about 450 yards away. The 30x magnification offers a huge advantage over 20x scopes because the extra magnification allows you to “aim small”. You’ve likely heard the saying, “Aim small, miss small”. I learned this term as a kid learning to shoot archery but it applies equally to rifle hunting too. The 30x magnification offered by the 5-30 allows you to zoom in tight and place the shot exactly where you want it. This helps immensely with overall accuracy especially when hunting small-bodied game like antelope and Coues deer. One of my absolute favorite features of the Tactical Hunter line is the internal bubble level. Everyone naturally cant’s their rifle when shooting - everyone - even on flat ground. In the field where terrain is uneven and angular “level” becomes even more difficult to perceive so shooters are often way off without even knowing it. At long-range, canting just a little bit can displace your shot to the point you can wound an animal or miss them completely. We sometimes demonstrate this with our long-range students and even veteran hunters are shocked by how much they can miss with just a little bit of cant. Huskemaw’s internal “anti-cant” bubble level sits on the floor of the reticle so it doesn't impede your field of view but it's there to help you compensate just before you squeeze a shot off. Because the level is in the reticle and not mounted on the scope tube the shooter can maintain cheek weld, stay in the scope, and have a visual on their prey while simultaneously ensuring level. This internal bubble level is an amazing innovation as it eliminates a major variable when shooting long-range - and we’re always trying to eliminate variables. Last but not least, one of my favorite features of the Tactical Hunter line is the larger turret. By larger I mean larger in circumference than a Blue Diamond turret. The larger circumference of the Tactical turret means there's more room to print yardage on. This is something I demonstrate to customers all the time. I show them a side-by-side comparison of a Tactical turret next to a Blue Diamond turret for the exact same caliber. Put simply, you’ll get more yardage on a single revolution of a Tactical turret than a Blue Diamond turret simply by virtue of their circumference. Maximum yardage on a single revolution is an important factor for the hunter to consider when choosing their model Huskemaw because that is the max yardage you're able to dial without having to take extra steps. Most Tactical turrets we make will max out around 1100-1300 yards on a single revolution versus 900-1000 yards on a Blue Diamond Turret (depending on caliber and bullet speed). This is important to consider because many magnum calibers are carrying enough kinetic energy to produce an ethical harvest of big game beyond the yardage limitations of a Blue Diamond turret; that's why it's nice to have the extra yardage afforded by Tactical turrets to make a shot at those longer ranges when conditions warrant. It’s just nice to have that extra yardage in the event you need it. Even if you never plan on harvesting an animal at those ranges I encourage students and customers to practice at those ranges because doing so teaches you a lot about external ballistics and can expose weaknesses in your setup. Huskemaw 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter The 5-20x50 Tactical Hunter is the newest optic in the Huskemaw line and as such, it also features the internal bubble level like the 5-30x56 but it has another cool feature a lot of hunters like - the illuminating reticle. The illuminating reticle of the 5-20TH features a red light and a knob outside the parallax that allows the shooter to adjust across 10 different intensities. Varying ambient light conditions require different intensities of the reticle so in low light conditions the shooter may choose a lower intensity because the illuminating reticle is so easily visible in low light while brighter ambient conditions may require a higher intensity. Either way, the shooter can choose. When the reticle is not illuminated it looks just like all our other Huskemaw scopes. Customers who like this optic and especially the illuminating reticle are those who tend to hunt edges. Whether you’re hunting the edges of agricultural fields or wooded clear cuts, the contrast between the open edge and the tree line can create a shadowy contrast in low light that washes out the standard black reticle. The illuminating reticle however gives the hunter the option to light it up so the hunter can see it and hold it on the target for greater precision. As its name implies the 5-20x50TH features a 50mm objective and 20x magnification. If you hunt in places that offer shot opportunities out to 600-700 yard max then a 50mm objective and 20x magnification should suit you well. Another consideration is non-magnum calibers like the 6.5 Creedmoor, .308, .270 or 30.06 carry sufficient kinetic energy to ethically harvest big game to about those same distances so again, the 5-20TH may be a good option for hunters using those calibers. While on the subject of the 5-20x50TH it was our first optic to feature German F2 Schott glass which is as crisp and clear as any long-range optic on the market today. This same glass is now found in our 5-30x56TH as well. Huskemaw 5-20x50 Blue Diamond Without a doubt, this is the most popular scope in the Huskemaw line. From its price point to its simple features it suits most every long-range hunter's needs and it's a great scope for both the novice and veteran long-range hunter. Marked by its blue turret, the name comes from the protective light-enhancing coating used on the optics lenses. It’s also one of the most recognizable optics on the market today. Its trademark blue turret is easy to spot and can be seen in photos on websites and social media pages around the world, usually with a happy hunter and big ole buck or bull sitting right next to them. The 50mm objective and 20x magnification make this an all-around good combination for hunting vast western expenses as well as the open agriculture of the midwest and many places along the eastern seaboard. Unlike our Tactical Hunter line it does not have an internal bubble level so we simply affix an auxiliary level on the scope tube or base rail. As I mentioned before the Blue Diamond turret is physically smaller in diameter than our Tactical turrets, meaning less yardage is printed on a single revolution. This certainly is not the end of the world, however, it is an important metric to consider. If a Blue Diamond is your optic of choice and yardage beyond 900 yards is desirable, we may simply recommend a “Continuous Yardage” turret that maximizes the utility of our dual-stack system. As you’re probably aware, Huskemaw’s patented dual-stack turret systems allow the hunter the option of having two different elevations on two different turrets on the scope at the same time (our preferred configuration) or in some circumstances we’ll configure a Continuous Yardage turret that allows the shooter to lift up the outer turret when it reaches max yardage and reveal the inside turret which is designed to pick up the yardage where the outer turret left off. In this configuration the inside turret allows the shooter to “continue” dialing, 975, 1,000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 yards, etc., etc. With all that said, many hunters are more than comfortable with 900+ yards as the max distance on their turret which again makes the Blue Diamond series a popular option for many. The 5-20x50 Blue Diamond comes at a respectable price point for a premium long-range optic. At $1699 it fits within most budgets and it gets you one hell of a long-range optic. Although it’s not always my first choice for hunting I am perfectly comfortable using this optic myself or setting customers up with it regardless of caliber especially if it's the price point they can afford. The 5-20x50 Blue Diamond will get it done and the customer will have years of productive hunting with it. Huskemaw 4-16x42 Blue Diamond The Huskemaw 4-16 is a staple in our line of scopes. No matter how many of the other models we sell or recommend, there’s always a few customers who are better suited for this optic. Many of the 4-16’s we recommend are for hunters who are hunting in terrain with potential shots of less than 700 yards and more often inside of 500 yards. Hunters from the midwest often prefer this optic especially when that's the only place they hunt. If 400-600 yards is your max range you may consider the 4-16 for your build. Many of my customers from Florida, California, parts of Texas, Kansas, Georgia will never hunt or shoot beyond 500 yards making the 4-16 a great option for them but if you plan on taking that same rifle to hunt places with big open expanses you should probably consider other Huskemaw options. We also have customers who hunt on horseback and therefore carry their rifle in a scabbard. The profile of the 5-20x50 isn't always a good fit for them but the slimmer profile of the 4-16x42 makes it an ideal pack rifle when being carried in this manner. Summary I hope this article was helpful and if not give us a call and let's discuss your specific situation in more detail. We are committed to helping succeed in the field and we’ll spend as much time as necessary helping you get set up right from the start. Our line of Huskemaw scopes feature some of the best long-range hunting optics on the market today and they’re all backed by a Lifetime Warranty. That's why Huskemaw is the only brand we sell and the only brand we stand behind. Shoot us a call and you’ll NEVER MISS AGAIN!

Finding the perfect shooting system in our line of Custom and RTK Rifles. A Quality System Could Change Your Life I remember the first Best of the West/Huskemaw system I bought. Before, I was using a cheap and largely inadequate rifle/scope combo to hunt the big country of central Arizona. My entire setup cost maybe $500 and although I had some successful hunts with it, I was clearly using the wrong equipment. At the time, I didn’t know what I didn't know but after a friend took my son and me hunting and I watched my then 12-year old boy harvest a Coues deer at 923 yards with my friend's Best of the West system - I instantly knew something had to change. My “eastern” gun and optic wasn’t going to cut it for western-style long-range hunting. I needed to upgrade my gear. Shortly after that hunt, I wound up buying my buddy's gun. It cost me thousands of dollars and it was a stretch, to say the least. Buying that gun was a tough sell for both me and my wife but I knew if we were going to be successful hunting as a family I needed a more appropriate firearm. The problem was that it came with a hefty price tag considering the low-dollar rifle I had been using and it was initially a tough pill to swallow. That rifle however changed my life because several years and many successful hunts later I was inspired to start “Best of the West Arizona” (BOTWAZ). Since then I’ve learned what it takes to consistently harvest big game in big country and I’m more acutely aware of the vast differences between production rifles, custom rifles, guns that come with no accuracy guarantee, and those that do. More importantly, I better understand how much budget plays a role in choosing a system. Today, the cost of long-range hunting rifles and optics is substantially more than when I bought that first gun and I find the longer I do this the quicker I am to ask prospective customers the question, “What's your budget?”. While it may initially seem like a sales pitch, my customers quickly realize that their budget determines where we start the conversation. Staying True to Our Roots At BOTWAZ I’m proud of the fact that we’ve found a way to stay true to our BOTW/Huskemaw roots and still offer various price point options for those looking to upgrade their long-range systems. From complete custom rifles to our new RTK line, we have a price point to fit almost any budget. Please allow me to explain. Your best option for a reliable, consistent, high-quality long-range hunting system is always going to be our line of custom rifles. Best of the West custom rifles are made from premium components manufactured to much higher quality control standards than production rifles. In addition, they’re assembled by skilled technicians who are focused on your particular build. Custom rifles come with a steep price tag but so do Ferraris! It’s important to understand when buying a custom rifle that you're paying for the quality of the components as well as the manner in which they’re assembled. Custom rifle builds are time-consuming and meticulously performed by highly trained individuals. The customer is getting something unique and that system is expected to perform to the highest standards in the industry. For example, a custom Best of the West rifle doesn’t leave our shop unless it shoots half MOA or better! These are top-of-the-line systems and they come with a respectable price tag. Most custom rifles being sold today range in price from about $7K to $10K. But again, you're getting the best long-range hunting system in the world so you should be prepared to pay for the best. Introducing The R.T.K. Line The advent of our RTK line of rifles has been met with a lot of enthusiasm. In fact, the first few systems we built were sold before the jobs were even finished. “RTK” stands for “Ready-to-Kill” which implies that these systems are ready to hunt! We sell them as a package to include the base rifle, the Huskemaw Optic of your choice as well as 2 dual-stack custom yardage turrets (Tactical or Blue Diamond), a hard case, 40 rounds of ammo, a wind meter, a sunshade, scope coat, and switch view lever. The base rifles we choose are based on our experience doing Accurizer jobs for customers over the years. We select popular production rifles that have a good track record but also come with a manufacturer's claim of accuracy (most often Sub-MOA). These are rifles we’ve had success Accurizing over the years. They're not the quality of a full custom rifle but they’re decent guns and when we add a Huskemaw Opic and perform our standard Accurizer Service we’re able to turn them into pretty solid long-range shooters. We routinely have customers harvesting big game at 800, 900, even 1,000 yards with them AND we guarantee their accuracy and verify them out to 1,000 yards! The wonderful thing about our RTK Packages is their varying price points. For example, we offer rifle packages topped with our Huskemaw 5-20x50 Blue Diamond that start at about $4K and they may go up to about $6K - $7K depending on the base rifle and optic you choose. Our customers have told us they’re really excited about these systems and we’re excited to see y’all handing out dirt naps with them! Coming Full Circle Getting into long-range hunting can be a bit pricey but the last place you want to skimp is on your rifle/optic combo. All hobbies are expensive but I’ve never cried after shooting a bad game of golf. Hunting is serious business and if you're anything like me, it’s a central part of your life. So, when I spend a lot of time, money, and energy going hunting I want a long-range system that can get the job done in one shot (no matter the range), and doing that requires the right equipment. Whatever your budget chances are we have a long-range hunting package for you. From our top-of-the-line Best of the West custom rifles to our RTK packages we have a system and a price point to suit almost any budget. But, don't be surprised when the first thing we ask is, “What’s your budget?”