Throughout the history of hunting, we have never had a deer send a lasting shockwave through the entire community like the Rompola buck. Splitting the industry in half and creating more questions than answers. This infamous buck sits center stage when it comes to the most controversial whitetails ever to surface.

Whether you think it is fake or it is real, there are several aspects when it comes to the deer and Mitch Rompola himself that are quite contradictory. We narrowed it down to 3 facts about the Rompola Buck saga that stand out.

Listen to the full discussion:

#1 – Mitch’s Numerous State Records

Mitch was synonymous with one of the hunters that looked up to the challenge of hunting Northern Michigan. His friends had called him Swampaster and he had a reputation for shooting big whitetails on a consistent basis.

It’s even reported, he held the Missouri state archery record, and then he topped his own record again after a few years. Although after doing some digging, I cannot locate any literature to confirm these records.

The former Commemorative Bucks of Michigan state record was also shot by Mitch Rompola in Grand Traverse County in 1985. That buck scored 181 7/8 B&C, but On November 2, 2012, Robert Sopsic topped that record by 2/8 of an inch for the new state record archery buck. It was clear Mitch had a reputation for being a successful big-buck hunter.

What are the odds of a singular hunter having not one, not two, but three state records and a world record to his name. a quick glance at any whitetail record buck shows a list of names, but very few names on those lists have multiple records. In a state like Missouri, it could be possible but highly unlikely, but to do it in a high-pressure, low-age class state like Michigan? it seems a little fishy to me.

#2 – Mitch’s Desire To Be A Left Alone

Less than a week after the reported kill, Mitch got an unlisted phone number and dropped out of sight. Two of his most vocal critics in Michigan each had put up $10,000, which they said Mitch could collect if he’d just have the rack X-rayed and enter it into B&C. But not even that could spur the man into action.

What’s contradicting about this is the fact that before Mitch killed the infamous buck, he was building a reputation in the industry with magazine articles and making partnerships with manufacturers in the outdoor industry. He was mentioned in several books listing the top whitetail hunters in the nation and had a deal with a deer scent company as well.

You would figure after shooting a buck like that (that tops the previous world record by 3″), Mitch would have laid claim to the title of world record. Instead, mitch went from climbing the ladder for whitetail greatness with sponsors, magazines, and books to completely disappearing off of the face of the earth after shooting the “New World Record” and even signing a deal with Milo Hansens business associate to never enter the buck into B&C and stop calling it the world record.

#3 – The Rack Supposedly Was Lost To A House Fire

***Disclaimer***

***The below information was obtained using free public use programs, websites, and apps.***

Soon after the news broke of the buck, Mitch shut out the outside world and dropped off of the face of the earth. It is rumored that during this time period, the rack was destroyed in a house fire.

With the numerous public resources on the internet now, I was able to go into google earth and look back at historical imagery at Mitch’s actual house. The furthest back satellite image on google earth was from 1985. It is a little blurry, but you can make out the outline of the house and the image gets clearer as the years progress.

As you thumb through the different years, you will notice that the house stays exactly the same, even to this day. If a house fire did happen, it did not get bad enough to disfigure the exterior of the house, meaning it wasn’t an overly big fire if it did happen at all.

The melting point of bone is roughly around 3,000 degrees farenheight, so for the rack to be destroyed in a house fire, the fire itself would have had to engulf the entire house to reach those temperatures.

Conclusion:

Did the fire actually happen or was it a cover for Mitch hiding the rack? What made Mitch go from a hunting industry personality to a hermit? Did the multiple state records actually happen? The world may never know.

As is with every article ever written on Mitch Rompola and the Rompola Buck, there are more unanswered questions than answers. With the recent sale of the Milo Hansen buck and the even more recent discovery of the Rompola Buck’s score sheet, I think that the answers to some of these questions could possibly be just on the horizon.

Written by: Lucas Jones

While hunters and marksmanship enthusiasts are more familiar with how grain affects shooting performance, the average American gun owner does not understand the importance of making this part of their criteria when purchasing rounds. The team at The Range 702 explains why you should pay attention to grain weight and its effect on recoil, trajectory, and impact, as well as practical applications.

Common Misconception About Grain Weight

Before we get into what grain weight is, let’s first talk about what grain weight is not. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the grain weight listed on a box of ammunition represents powder weight or the overall power of the cartridge.

Some people connect the reference of grain weight as being a measurement of the “grains” of gunpowder in the ammo. However, it has nothing to do with that. Grain weight refers to the overall weight of the entire round that is projected from the gun. In fact, different gun powder formulas can have varying weights but still deliver comparable performance levels.

What Is Grain Weight?

The grain weight system is used to measure the mass of a piece of ammunition. Measuring in grain (gr) is a measuring system to describe the mass of the cartridge projectile (the part that is propelled forward from the firearm). These measurements of mass help determine the correct size of ammo to use for specific shooting purposes.

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Understanding Grain Weight and Firearms

Rounds of ammunition for handguns and rifles come in cartridges made up of the following parts:

• Primer
• Propellant
• Casing
• Projectile

Shotgun shells are structurally different and require one more part known as a wad.

The weight of the projectile is measured in grains using the grain symbol gr. When converted using the metric system, there is approximately 7,000 grain in one pound. The weight of a paper clip is about 16 grain.

The mass of the 5.56 NATO rounds1 for the M4 carbines is 62 grain, which equals around four paperclips. However, there are other versions of this ammunition for AR-15 rifles with 55 grain for a lighter projectile.

Selecting the Right Grain Weight for Your Shooting Purposes

There are some things to consider when choosing the right grain to help with your shooting performance, including:

• Caliber – Caliber is the internal diameter of the barrel and is the first factor to consider when selecting ammunition. The rounds must fit the magazine, chamber, and barrel, which requires a specific shell size. Cartridges come in a range of calibers and grain. Heavier grain results in a larger projectile, but the difference is not always noticeable.
• Ballistics – The grain weight of ammunition will affect ballistics (velocity, energy, and overall shot performance). Ballistics considers the mechanics of how a shot behaves and is an important factor in choosing cartridge weight to match its purpose.

• Joules – Grain affects recoil energy (pushback the shooter feels from the gun once discharged) and the energy put downrange. This energy is expressed in a unit of measurement called joules. When you feel the recoil of standard grain, think about the following: heavier grain weight will have greater recoil force while lighter grain will have less. Likewise, grain weight affects the energy felt by the target.

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Which Grain Weight Is Best for Shooting?

The answer to which grain weight is best depends on the type of shooting and which firearm you’re using. Here are some various applications and their recommended grain weight:

1. Routine Range Shooting

Understanding grain weight isn’t as important when first becoming familiar with various firearms. For beginners, there is a standard size and grain weight for all ammunition types and brands. For the range, the 55 grain for AR-15 and other 5.56/.223 rifles are adequate because you will aim at targets positioned in short to medium distances.

2. Hunting

You generally want heavier grain weight to deliver more energy into the game, but this may also depend on animal species. Hunters who do not want to leave blood trails, meaning they prefer a more humane shot that drops the game on the spot, will go for heavier grain. A heavier grain also means that they may have to do more stalking to get closer because heavier cartridges travel slower.

3. Self-Defense

Self-defense situations typically occur at close ranges of at least 21 feet from the threat2. Should you need to engage a threat, you want the stopping power that heavier rounds provide. While considering round weight and energy, you should choose rounds that are less likely to pass through a target, which means lost energy and additional hazards. Even though self-defense rounds are commonly more expensive, you should practice shooting these at a range to ensure they feed and fire without malfunction in your firearm, and to familiarize yourself with how they shoot.

4. Marksmanship

Sport shooting of rifles at longer distances may require lighter grain ammunition. Other factors, such as wind conditions and the type of rifle, should also be considered.

In conclusion, choosing adequate grain weight is essential to your real-life shooting experiences. Getting used to various ammunition weights will also help you improve the handling of your firearm.

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If you’re interested in getting a personal feel of what these various ammunitions feel like, check out our shooting experiences and gun vault! Get expert advice from our instructors and sign up for one of our many classes that will help you learn how to handle your gun better.

Sources:

1Wikipedia. 5.56×45mm NATO. Retrieved on 20 December 2021.

2Findley, Ben. (8 April 2015). What is Your Safe Distance to Engage the Threat: The 21-Foot Rule. USA Carry. Retrieved 20 December 2021.

I’ve always loved Halloween, and I usually do something “seasonal” when it comes around. As a disclaimer, I have to tell you that if you’re one of my vegetarian or vegan friends, you’ll probably want to skip this one. If you eat meat, and you appreciate the interesting odd tidbit, you may find it interesting, as I did.

Most of you will know that there are a lot of deer in America, and that human-deer conflicts from overpopulation can be an issue in some places. In a way we’ve created a new, almost perfect habitat for wild creatures to find food. We all know racoons are adept at opening garbage cans. Squirrels love nuts, but also don’t mind a slice of old pizza.

Bears (on my mind as I’m getting ready for an off-grid trip into the British Canadian Wilderness as I write this) are well known for being adaptive carnivores. And, as my hosta-growing neighbors can tell you, an urban garden and landscaping is a just a giant, 24-hour salad bambi bar.

I’m not even going to try to tackle arguments for or against urban hunting/culling, overpopulation, or the destruction that deer can rue unchecked on local ecology (the more pressing discussion as opposed to ethics, in my mind).

Those arguments are far too deep, sprawling, and often too opaque to cover in 1000 words or so. I do believe that the actions of man have made it so that the population needs to be kept in check, but what the most efficient and humane way to go about that is a gladiatorial arena of opinions and emotions for some.

The reality is that plenty of urban areas have deer culls, and will continue to for the foreseeable future (one location I reference used their cull to donate 8,600 pounds of venison to food shelves-a good byproduct I think). What I’m talking about today involves something much more focused on the meat of deer itself, and the timeline at which they’re harvested.

In Wisconsin and Minnesota, the deer season runs (roughly here, including archery) from late September to mid November. In places where urban deer culls are held, the season may not be in the fall, it might be later in the winter, or nearly spring, or, as in the case of the cull at U-M Dearborn I link to at the end of this post, over Spring break.

Mating season of deer should be around October-Dec. When a hunter harvests a doe, the last thing they probably think about is if she’d been with a buck. If you harvest and butcher one of those does in the spring though, the butchery can be, ahem, more interesting.

So, just so happens I have a friend in Virginia that participates in his local urban deer cull, and it’s in the spring. And, for the past few years, the does he’s harvested have had some extra baggage in their unborn fetuses. So, he sent me one to cook. Thanks Mark.

I’ve always been fascinating by the odd, unusual edible, and, I’m also a passionate consumer of offal and organ meats, so, it’s honestly right up my alley. What I really wanted to know though, was if there was a tradition of eating unborn animals around the world I could find. Besides a casual Reddit mention, I can’t.

But, humans, enterprising beings that we are, have undoubtedly eaten them, although the only historical anecdote I’ve come across is Indigenous people cooking buffalo fetus for the elderly who have problems chewing. At the end of the day, meat, is meat.

Unpacking the cooler my friend overnighted me, I found a little vacuum sealed bag with what looked to be a squirrel inside. For all intents and purposes, I’d assume you could cook a small fetus of similar animals of similar size as you would any small game. And small game is exactly what my unborn deer tasted like.

What does it taste like?

The big question. If you can get past the aversion, which, is, to be blunt, an inculturalized phobia other (non-American) people around the world probably wouldn’t have a problem eating, a deer fetus cooks up like a squirrel or other very small game, and tastes like meltingly tender deer veal. I found it mild, extremely tender and pleasant.

Imagine eating the most tender confit you’ve ever had. It is in no way strong tasting like organ meats or offal. I ate all of it’s organs to compare them with other small game, and found them near-identical to rabbit and squirrel offal in taste, which are all mild and delicious. I often compare small game offal to poultry organs (chicken, pigeon etc) as their size and taste is pretty similar.

Other notes

The proto-skin

Everything is mini, and in the process of being formed at this stage, including the skin, which feels a bit like a layer of translucent fat, and, although it won’t render out anything noticeable, at least from my experience, seems to really insulate the meat and keep it extremely moist. it was delicious, and seemed to melt into the meat per caul fat.

The tiniest of bones

One hurdle will cooking small game is that the bones can be tiny and hard to keep track of. With rare exception, I do not like bones in my soup and I find it off-putting, as will any average dinner guest.

That being said, as it was the size of a large squirrel, it wasn’t going to make a huge meal. With the higher proportion of bones, barbecuing it and slapping it on a bun wasn’t going to work, so I turned to a classic small game recipe: the ol’ Brunswick stew.

Brunswick stew is traditionally made with different types of small game, so it worked out just fine. To bulk the meat out I added 2 smoked pigeons from the freezer, rounded it with some of my favorite heirloom tepary beans from Romona Farms.

I also replaced the now common ketchup or barbecue sauce with a dash of birch syrup and some canned tomatoes. It made for one of the most interesting meals of small game I’ve had to date. If I’ll do it again, I don’t know.

Further Reading

VA Urban Archery Season

Deer Culling in Philadelphia

Spring Break Deer Cull

Foul-weather hunting can bring the best opportunities when other hunters are staying home

There are many obligations in my life that distract me more than I’d like from hunting and fishing. Work, farm life and family all pull my attention out of the woods. Yes, there are days when I just can’t justify spending all day in the duck blind or tree stand. But as many excuses as there are to keep me out of the woods, I never allow weather to be one of them. As the saying goes, “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.”

Why you shouldn’t be a fair-weather hunter

A fair-weather hunter is someone who is only found hunting or fishing when it’s a blue bird day and the sun is shining high and bright. It seems as though precipitation has the power to stop most folks from even entering the woods. Most people will consider this a “lost day.” Don’t be most people. Time and again I have found myself completely alone in areas that are usually littered with hunters or anglers, all because a low-pressure system is threatening to dump a few inches of snow or rain. I have experienced some of the best hunting and fishing during these rare moments of respite. These days are essential for accessing areas without alerting animals to your presence, determining what sign is the freshest, what specific food sources are being targeted, and overall, broadening your understanding of the game you are pursuing. Animals also tend to be a little more one-track-minded on such days, seeking food and shelter usually in conjunction with each other. Coupled with the lack of human presence, it’s sometimes hard for me to settle on a place to hunt.

As the climate patterns continue to shift across the globe, extreme weather events become the norm. Hunters must adapt to these effects to successfully take advantage of the hunting seasons. The grow season in the foothills of the White Mountains of New Hampshire is typically mid-May to mid-September. Lately, however, we have been experiencing more snowstorms throughout the early spring compared to late fall and early winter. This climatic shift has also led to prolonged periods of drought throughout the summer and a much wetter fall season. This means more chance for snow during our spring turkey season and a higher probability of heavy rainstorms during waterfowl and deer seasons. But, if you are determined enough to make every effort to get into the woods regardless of the forecast, then you can capitalize on opportunities you, and many others, otherwise would have missed.

While rain and snow tends to put a damper on most human activities, fish, birds, and most game have no choice but to continue life regardless of significant weather events. This seems especially true when it comes to waterfowl. I have shot more ducks and geese in driving rain, sleet, fog and snow than I have on clear, sunny, warm days. Most rainy day duck hunts I’ve been on were fast in-your-face shoots, ending almost as quickly as they began with a limit of dabblers. Sure, you may be soaked from boots to barrel, but there is nothing better than successfully executing a hunt in less than desirable conditions and coming out the other side, all the wiser and more grateful for the roof above your head and the food on your table.

In 2017, the year was punctuated by major flooding events, one of which completely obliterated a local NHFG fish hatchery along the Baker River. Heavy rains at the end of October led to massive flooding along the Pemigewasset River and its tributaries. Jumping on the opportunity, my brother and I spent the earlier part of the storm scouting groups of ducks and geese in some of our favorite spots. With more rain in the forecast and rivers already breaching their high water marks, we figured half our spots would be inaccessible because most of the routes in would be inundated. We adjusted our strategy and scoured the local agriculture that parallels the rivers.

In the contour of an extinct oxbow, long cut off from the river and since cultivated for years, we happened upon several hundred mallards and black ducks piling into a newly flooded cornfield. In the adjacent block of oaks and beech we could hear wood ducks whistling, and somewhere on the far side of the field, a hundred geese were trumpeting. If there’s a waterfowl hunting heaven, this is what it must look like. We silently sat and watched the geese loaf along the back of the flooded oxbow and feed across the hillside. Strings of mallards worked their way through the submerged corn stubble, like feathered vacuums, devouring the left over crop.

The next morning with a loose plan in hand, we let the river dictate our access and setup beneath overhanging pine bows overlooking a transition between the timber and the corn. With limited time available before work we quickly threw out a string of floaters in front of us with a few full-bodies making their way up the corn. As dawn quietly approached, the torrent of the river was interrupted by a flurry of wings and whistles. The wood ducks were the first to arrive. They left as quickly as they came, albeit fewer in their ranks. After several agonizingly long minutes, the mallards graced us with their presence, settling amongst our spread. A few volleys and a couple handfuls of ducks later, we marched out of that flooded field soaked and grinning. We spent the next three days hunting that spot and hit our limits two out of three days. A week later there was a foot of snow and the river was frozen.

Tips for making the most of foul weather hunting

Hunting on short notice, over a new feeding ground, in an area that birds can’t typically access via water usually leads to grumbling and a dose of ibuprofen. To pull off a hunt in driving rain and in close proximity to a swollen river takes both luck and skill. The luck is finding the birds; the skill is in beguiling them. It’s through quiet observation that I’ve learned where and how to hunt. I don’t advise chasing divers in open waters when the water is choppy and the wind is howling, unless you like constantly chasing decoys and bilging water out of your waders or boat. During storms, time is better spent hammering the backwater with plenty of cover, while freshly flooded cornfields almost always make for great puddle duck and goose hunts. Of course, finding the X is always first and foremost, especially when the forecast is set to change.

With seasons as short as they are and limits constantly subjected to changes in population size, today’s hunters should seize any opportunity to get outdoors in order to succeed. If time is taken to properly scout and understand the behavior patterns of the animals you intend to pursue, your success rates will climb. Utilize every rare, solitary moment in the woods to sharpen your hunting skills, especially when most people are still relaxing at home, out of the woods and out of the mire.

Duck Blind Quick Tips and Hacks

The Origins of Retrievers: Hunting Dog Confidential Episode #8

A Introduction to Jump Shooting Ducks on Upland Hunts

BY ROBERT RIPLEY

In June of 2021, I was shocked to learn I had drawn an Idaho moose tag for the 2021 season. I quickly found the outfitter that held the permit for the unit I was to hunt — Broadmouth Canyon Ranch, which runs a famous high fence elk hunting program. They do own a large amount of land that is fair chase property. Little did I know, I was going to go on a hunt that was almost perfect.

Because of prior hunts in early in October, I got to the lodge on October 28. News of my moose tag had proceeded me. When I entered, I was an instant celebrity. All of the elk hunters wanted to talk about moose hunting and my tag. We all oohed and aahed at the moose head that hung over the fireplace.

My guide Tate and I met at breakfast well before sunrise. He said he knew a couple of places that should hold moose. We would be glassing off of some ridges. I pointed out that this was my first moose hunt and no clue what to look for. He said we would be hunting the Shiras moose, which is the smallest moose in North America, and that a good bull would have ten points on both sides.

We rode a side-by-side on dirt roads I will never find again. It was well below freezing and we had no windows on the side by side so warm gear was necessary. After a cold ride we came up on a ridge, made a hard left then slammed on the brakes. Tate pointed to my right where two cow moose stood 25 yards from us. They were not spooked, they just stood and stared. This had to be a good omen, right?

We turned around to find somewhere we would not spook them. We began glassing as the light of dawn creeped over the mountains. We glassed an area of deep canyons that stretched for miles. I’ve hunted wild hogs in California for years. It’s not unusual to glass a pig that turns out to be a burned out log so when I saw black that is what I assumed. But everything black was a moose, 13 in all, 9 that were bulls. There were two that looked big to me. Tate said I could shoot one of them on Wednesday if we had not found one bigger, and that was two days away.

We left that ridge to glass a new one. There were not as many moose but one looked good a couple miles away. Then Tate got excited. He said the one he could see was enormous. He got out his spotting scope and hooked up a camera so we could see it easier. It was indeed bigger than anything we have seen so far. He was feeding on a nob about a mile and a half away. Initially Tate wanted to wait for him to bed down. But that idea lasted a whole two minutes. He said, “Let’s kill that monster!”

We would not see the moose for the stalk down. We had the wind in our faces. We worked our way down a steep canyon wall. At the base of the wall was a long grove of dead trees that extended at least a mile down the canyon. Just outside of the trees was a game trail that rivaled the lanes of the highways I had used to get to the lodge. I’m five foot, nine inches, at best, and Tate played center for his college basketball team. It took almost two of my strides to match his one. He was pumped up with adrenaline and we made great time.

There were two nobs, one closer to us and one where the moose was. We stopped at the base of the first one and made a plan as we shucked off our jackets and backpacks. We would slowly climb to the top of the first nob, set up the shooting sticks and should have a 100-yard shot. We did exactly as planned, but the moose wasn’t involved in our planning. He was not there. It was comical as Tate and I looked for him then looked at each other. We did not think he had busted us because he could not have seen or smelled us.

Our new plan was to quietly and slowly climb the second nob while looking over both sides to see if he had wandered off. We climbed the second nob as planned, Tate was to my right just forward of me. At 61 years old, you find that you will trip over any little thing — roots of bushes, rocks, blades of grass, you get it. As I walk, I look forward every couple of steps to find those things that can trip me. As I scanned the ground in front of me, I looked up. There was six inches of moose antler over a bush right in front of me. I whispered, firmly, “Tate!” That’s all it took, we both dropped to the ground.

Tate asked me if I was comfortable shooting freehand? I’ve done it but I didn’t want to mess up a shot on possibly my only moose. He quietly set up the shooting sticks. He said to shoot fast as the moose will probably see me. With my adrenaline sky high I squatted behind the shooting sticks, place the muzzle of my rifle on the V of the sticks, took a deep breath and stood up slowly. As I stood I pushed the rifle forward on the sticks, bringing the rifle up to my shoulder, he did look at me as I put my eye to the scope, clicked off my safety and fired. He dropped where he stood. No steps, no running, just dropped dead.

Tate and I cheered. We jumped up and down, fist pumped and high fived. As we walked up to the moose I realized how big he was. Much larger than any elk I have ever harvested. Tate and I oohed and awed. Tate said it was the biggest ever harvested on the ranch — it was 11 by 11. It was much larger than the one over the fireplace at the lodge.

It green scored at 160 inches. After the 90-day drying period required by Boone and Crockett, it measured at 152 7/8 inches, the Idaho state record is 150 inches.

Air rifles have been around for centuries, but only recently have they become popular in the United States. There are a number of air rifle manufacturers in the country, each with their own unique products. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the best air rifles made in America. Whether you’re looking for a plinking gun or a serious hunting tool, there’s sure to be an American-made air rifle that’s perfect for you.

Air rifle brands made in the USA

Benjamin

Walter Benjamin introduced the first Benjamin air gun in 1882. They were one of many high-powered rifles that came about as a result, but this particular design grew in popularity over time and led to him creating his own company called “Benjamin Gun Company.” The name has since been acquired by Crosman who only helped make it more popular than ever before! There are various styles available with updated technologies for both professionals looking for something classic or enthusiasts wanting new challenges alike – all backed up by 24/7 customer service at Crosman.

Benjamin Airgun selection includes everything from its breakthrough multi-pump pneumatics, break barrels, and even some of the best-precharged pneumatic (PCP) on today’s market (Like the Benjamin Marauder). In addition to their great rifle line up, they also offer a wide variety in pistols as well offering single shots or multiple shots at any time you please!

American Air Arms

Tom Costan had been dreaming of a company that manufactured shooting sports equipment with American labor for years when he finally got his wish. He founded American Air Arms, which specializes in high-quality PCP air rifles and shotguns made from nearly 100% domestic materials – all to ensure customers get only top-grade performance at an affordable price point

Umarex USA

Umarex USA, Inc. is a premier provider of airguns and airgun accessories to North America, designing, developing, and marketing sport shooting products under the RWS, Walther, Hämmerli, Beretta, Colt, Smith & Wesson, HK, Ruger ®, Browning, Makarov, Tactical Force, and Combat Zone brands.
Umarex USA moved into a new 117000 square foot facility in July of 2010 located at Chaffee Crossing in Fort Smith Arkansas. The new facility is home to its warehousing and distribution operations as well as its corporate offices which include marketing sales and a fully staffed customer service department that handles product refurbishment warranty work and technical advice. Future operations at this facility will also include manufacturing.
Umarex sporting guns can be purchased at many retail locations or your local firearm dealer can order them from several firearm distributors.

Airforce Air Guns

AirForce is a company that specializes in creating the most accurate and high-quality air rifles for all types of shooters. With over 20 years of experience, they have built their reputation on being dedicated to only producing American-made products with passion as well as excellence from both manufacturing facilities located around Texas (Fort Worth) and Tennessee( Minor Hill).

(For more on the best air rifles on the market, see this post)

Have you heard of Australia’s Emu War? The Great Emu War is exactly what it sounds like: a war against emus. But what even are emus, and why did Australia wage war on them? How long was the Emu War? And what does this mean for the U.S.? Keep reading to find out.

See more: Deny It All You Like, Birds Aren’t Real

The Great Emu War of 1932

The Great Emu War is not a joke; it actually happened. Australia is filled with strange wildlife, and emus are just a part of the mix. But with the Emu War, Australia was up against a particularly unique enemy. Let’s dive into this strange war.

What Are Emus?

To put it simply, emus are really ugly, stupid birds that are native to Australia. Related to the ostrich (another ugly, stupid bird), emus are the second tallest living bird. Like the ostrich, they are flightless and have long legs and long necks. Despite being flightless, emus can move terrifyingly fast – up to 30mph. This makes them a formidable foe on the battlefield.

The Purpose of the Australian Emu War

So, when was the Emu War? The Emu War was only a month long, from November 4, 1932, to December 10, 1932. The Australia Emu War was an attempt to control the emu population that had gotten out of hand.

After WWI, several Australian WWI Veterans were given land to farm in Western Australia. The Australian government encouraged the farmers to plant wheat crops, promising them assistance in the form of subsidies. However, as the Australian government refused to provide the subsidies, Australian farmers were met with an increased amount of wheat products that they refused to deliver due to the lack of subsidies.

Around the same time that this was happening, around 20,000 emus began arriving to the farmlands. Emus traditionally migrate after their breeding season from inland to coastal regions. The farming land and the additional water supply being directed to this area made the farmlands an ideal location for the emus. The migrated emus would feast on the farmers’ crops and would often destroy the farmers’ fences.

The farmers, many of them war Veterans, complained to the government, asking for some sort of solution to their emu problem. The government agreed to send out military personnel to help control the emu problem as long as the farmers provided food and housing for the soldiers and paid for the ammunition.

Emu War Outcome

Two significant attempts were made to murder the emus. Several ambush attempts were made, and a good handful of the birds were shot, but eventually, the emus got smart. An account from the emu war states, “each pack seems to have its own leader now—a big black-plumed bird which stands fully six feet high and keeps watch while his mates carry out their work of destruction and warns them of our approach.”

The Australian government decided that the Emu War wasn’t successful enough, and a lot of negative media surrounded it. By early November, the military left the farmlands.

However, as the Australian summer began to get hotter and drier, emus began flocking to farms by the thousands. The farmers asked for assistance from the military again, and they returned by November 13. This second attempt was more successful than the first. Toward the end of the “war,” around 100 emus were being killed per week.

Emu War Casualties

How many emus died in the Emu War? The Emu War’s casualties aren’t definitive. There are no solid numbers about how many emus died, but it’s estimated that at least 986 were killed and around 2,500 were injured.

And, if you want to know who won the Great Emu War, it was definitely the emus. A lot of great Emu War meme content has come out of this. Thank you, Australia, for the memes!

Invasive Species in the United States

Though emus are not technically an invasive species to Australia, they’re still just as annoying as an invasive species would be. Some of the worst invasive species in America are the spotted lantern fly and the Asian carp. So, why are these invasive species the worst, and will the U.S. follow in Australia’s footsteps and start a war against them? Spotted Lantern Fly and Asian Carp Invasive Species

Spotted lantern flies and Asian carp are both really annoying. The spotted lantern fly, though beautiful, is a threat to crops and trees. Mostly located in Pennsylvania, it secretes a substance called “honeydew.” The “honeydew” it secretes leads to mold and plant damage.

The Asian carp has been making the U.S. its home since the 1970s. Their purpose was to help clean up wastewater treatment plants and aquaculture ponds throughout the U.S. However, the Asian carp are a dominant species. They can grow to be up to 31 pounds and tend to eat all the food around them that other fish need, like snails, plants, etc.

These invasive species are a huge nuisance to the U.S., just like how emus were to Australia, so will the U.S. wage war against them? Probably not, but they are encouraging people to be mindful of their interactions with these species.

The spotted lantern fly doesn’t fly very far, but their eggs are commonly accidentally picked up. People who travel through areas with a high population of spotted lantern flies are asked to check their clothing and belongings to make sure they are egg-free. Fishermen are encouraged to report their sightings of Asian carp; if they catch one, the protocol is to either eat it or use it as bait.

The Great Emu War is a “war” that will go down in history as probably the most ridiculous war ever. Hopefully, the U.S. won’t need to declare war on the spotted lantern fly or the Asian carp, but you never know!

See more: The U.S. Army Is at War With Asian Carp

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Though holographic sights are often lumped in with red dot sights, like EOTech says – not a red dot.

I created this page for purists by carefully screening the best holographic sights, although I did also test an extremely popular reflex sight that is often mistaken for a holo sight.

I further compare budget, battery power, reticles, size & weight & field of view to make finding the perfect holographic sight easy.

Top 6 Holographic Sights In 2024

What is a holographic sight? A holographic image of a reticle is essentially “sandwiched” between lenses and illuminated by a laser diode. Looking through the sight, the reticle appears to be superimposed in the distance somewhere between the sight and the target.

What are the benefits of a holosight design?

• Fast target acquisition
• For close and long-range use
• In-focused picture due to simultaneous downrange focusing on target and reticle
• Heavy duty – can use with front lens damage
• Reticle remains the same size when used with a magnifier

But, there’s no ignoring the drawbacks.

• Price – they often start at $400 (approx.) for entry-level models
• Bulky – due to their design, they’re not equipped to be mounted to handguns
• Limited availability for true holographic sights
• Battery hog – laser diode requires a lot of power to operate

In the mid ’90s, EOTech was specifically created to bring holographic sights in a compact, rugged, and effective design for small arms to the commercial market. They may have been the only manufacturer of the holo sight and started the trend, but more recently, Vortex has joined the game.

With only two manufacturers producing this type of sight, it restricts availability and likely prevents economical prices to the civilian consumer market.

To be fair, the holographic sight requires a sophisticated manufacturing process, and so it costs more than red dots. But, I’ll get into the differences between red dots and holographic sights later. For now, let’s get into this years latest and best holo sights you must consider!

6 Best Holographic Sights on the Market

1. Vortex Razor AMG UH-1 Gen II – Best Vortex Holographic Sight

Overall, there are noteworthy differences between the AMG UH-1 Gen 1 versus AMG UH-1 Gen II holographic sights. The new version includes a larger rear window, tool-less battery cap, and night vision compatibility. Though it has performance upgrades, there is one major change that may be missed.

Pros:

• 1 MOA dot
• EBR-CQB reticle
• Tool-less battery cap
• Rear-facing controls
• Night vision compatible

Cons:

• Battery life

Holographic sights have always had poor battery runtime compared to reflex red dot sights. This remains true with Vortex’s gen II holosight. It takes a CR123A battery estimated to provide 1500 hours of runtime based on medium settings with normal use. I know that the auto shut-off after 14 hours is a helpful feature but can be disabled for instantly ready use.

However, conservative use of the AMG UH-1 will still only provide a maximum of 62 days (approx.) of operation. I recommend keeping spare batteries on hand since the micro-USB port has been removed. I’ll miss that feature as it used to allow for recharging batteries. At least the battery compartment cover is now tool-less.

Though no specs are provided, Vortex says they increased the size of the rear sight window to expand its HUD-like appeal and apparent FOV. I love that it’s IPX8 waterproof, was upgraded with XR FMC coatings, and is now night vision compatible. It has a rear-facing, dedicated NV button that puts the sight into night mode with reticle brightness that is safe for use with NVDs.

All other favorite features remained the same such as the Weaver/Picatinny quick detach mount, ½ MOA turrets, FHQ glare-reducing, stealth-improving technology, and the ArmorTek coating. The EBR-CQB reticle consists of a 1 MOA dot for long-range use, segmented circle, and bottom triangle post for extreme CQB performance.

I like that the upgrades are productive, it’s covered under the VIP warranty, and it’s still good competition as an alternative in an EOTech-dominated market.

2. EOTech HHS I EXPS3-4 w/G33 Magnifier – Best Tactical Holographic Sight

The HHS I (Holographic Hybrid Sight) EXPS3-4 comes with the G33 Magnifier. It’s the EXPS3 sight with the 4 dot reticle and the G33 to get long-range sight.

Pros:

• Close-long range
• Side buttons
• NV compatible
• Includes magnifier
• Switch-to-side mount

Cons:

• Price

Looking at the price alone, you’d wonder why you’re paying more for the EXPS3 HWS. However, you’re getting a 2-in-1 bundle with this buy. It might cost close to a grand, but the included G33 magnifier makes up the difference, and I think it’s worth it.

The EXPS3 sight is 11.2 oz and is 3.8 x 2.3 x 2.9″ in size – slightly more compact than some other EOTech models. It has a side-loading battery compartment that takes 1 x CR123 for 1,000 hours of use at nominal setting (12).

There are a total of 30 brightness settings with 10 compatible with NV (Night Vision). The HHS will automatically shut down after 8 hours of non-use, but it’s also programmable to shut down after 4. I found that it depends which up or down button you press when activating the sight.

The reticle has 4x 1 MOA dots to provide holding over points for medium to long-range shots. Calibrated for the .223, it can reach out to 600 yards which I know you you can easily do with the 3x G33 (Generation III 3x) magnifier.

The magnifier is 3.9″ long, and fits to all holo sight models with a 7mm riser. Eye relief is rather restrictive with only 2.2″, but many magnifiers have comparable eye relief. The switch-to-side mount is especially convenient to move the magnifier out of the way. It has a 1.18″ (30 mm) height that clears most low-profile, flip-up, rear iron sights.

With everything put together, I would say that the EXPS3 holo sight that can give you the upper hand in any close quarter scenario to every long-range observational need.

3. EOTech XPS3 – Best Holographic Sight for AR-15

If you’re planning on seeing in the dark with your AR-15, you’ll want to upgrade your sight with an XPS3 model. The extra benefit of NV with all the same great features of the second generation models can be found right here.

Pros:

• NV compatible
• Lightweight
• Compact
• Waterproof
• Built-in mount

Cons:

• Rear controls

What’s the difference between the XPS2 and the XPS3? The XPS3 is NV compatible since it’s built with 30 brightness settings that allows 10 of those to work with Gen 1-3 NV devices.

What’s the difference between the XPS3 and the EXPS3? The EXPS3 has side button controls and a quick detach lever mount that this model lacks, but it’s slightly heavier at 11.2 oz.

The XPS3 is the smallest and lightest sight of all EOTech’s HWS sights. Weighing only 9 oz and is 3.8 x 2.1 x 2.5″ in size, it makes for a lightweight holo system leaving plenty of rail space for additional accessories on your AR-15, and yes, you’ll want to mount some extra gadgets like a magnifier.

Built with an integrated 1″ weaver or Picatinny mount, it’ll fit your MSR as easily as the EXPS3 fit mine.

Like all EOTech sights, it’s fog-resistant and waterproof, and I did put it its quick detach mount alternative in a washing machine – no rinse cycle, just submersion. The XPS3 takes 1x CR123 lithium battery that can provide up to 1,000 hours of continuous use.

This model has the 68 MOA ring with 1 MOA center dot. Transition between 7 and 50 yards for CQB shooting and then ping steel out to 200 yards with the .223 calibrated reticle.

Since it’s NV compatible, works with a magnifier, and can co-witness with rear iron sights, I deem the XPS3 a versatile tool for many missions or hunts to come that’s perfect atop your flat top receiver or even on your shotgun.

However, the one thing I don’t like is that the rear controls are virtually inaccessible if you have a magnifier behind it. But the EOTech G33 magnifier has a side-to-switch mount so pushing it out of the way will allow access to the rubber buttons.

The XPS3 has the basics, plus some. I think that its size, light weight, and durable body makes for the ideal kind of sight to top your AR-15.

4. EOTech XPS2 – Best Sight for Competition Shooting

What benefits do you need from your sight for 3-gun comps? Speed, accuracy, durability, and the ability to transition from close to long-range distances. If you’re on a tight budget for a holo sight, the XPS2 will fit the bill.

Pros:

• Side controls
• Side-loading battery
• Quick detach lever
• Co-witness w/iron sights
• Fog/waterproof

Cons:

• No preferred brightness setting on start-up

The XPS2 is made for 3-gun competitions, and it’s a cheaper option versus EOTech’s Hybrid models. To get you on target at speeds expected of a holo sight, this model has a the 68 MOA ring with 1 MOA center dot.

With a .223, you can use the center dot for 50 and 200 yards and the bottom of the ring for close-range shots of 7 yards.

To see the reticle at its best in any condition, the XPS2 has 20 brightness levels to adjust to your preferred setting. However, you can’t save your preferred brightness setting as it will kick back to the default setting on start-up, this seems like a bit of a drawback to me. Note: this is non-compatible with NV gear.

With a CR123 lithium battery, you’ll have up to 600 hours of continuous use on nominal brightness setting at room temperature. I like the side-loading battery compartment with a threaded cap keeps the battery in place while keeping dirt, debris, and water out.

While this sight can get you out to 300 yards faster and more accurately than iron sights alone, it is compatible with use of a magnifier for when you need easy transition for close to long-range shooting.

5. EOTech 512 – Best EOTech Holographic Sight

The 512 is a long-time favorite, and I can see why. With an entry-level price tag (for a holo sight) and all the good ol’ tech you need to get dead-on in an instant, the 512 does it.

Pros:

• Price
• Battery life
• 1 MOA dot
• 1x magnification
• Unlimited eye relief

Cons:

• Bulky

The 512 takes 2 AA batteries to operate and this makes for a longer and heavier build. It’s 11.5 oz and 5.6 x 2 x 2.5″ in size. It’ll take up some rail space, but it’s still so much shorter than a LPVO (low power variable optic).

You can depend on that battery juice to provide up to 1000 hours of continuous use with lithium batteries at brightness setting 12, or you can expect up to 600 hours with alkaline batteries. No need to detach the sight to replace batteries as it has a top-loading battery compartment with a cap latch.

To get zeroed, adjustments can be made with a coin or flathead screwdriver since it features the cross-slot style. I really like the aluminum hood and 10 ft submersible body was made to endure the abuse of extreme conditions.

The reticle is the popular, and one of my favorites, the 1 MOA dot with a 68 MOA ring intended for close-range and fast target acquisition shooting. This EOTech is compatible to mount to both 1″ Weaver and standard Picatinny rails.

With 20 brightness settings, widely available AA batteries, and a programmable 4 or 8 hour auto shut-off, I would recommend the 512 as a simple and affordable holosight for both beginners and intermediate shooters.

6. Holosun 510C Red Dot Sight

The Holosun 510C is not a holographic sight but is often compared to them. I test it out to give you a comparison between EOTech holographic sights and the Holosun.

Pros:

• Dual power sources
• Ultra-long battery life
• Shake Awake
• Build quality
• Quick detach mount

Cons:

• Reflex sight

As a general rule, holographic and reflex sights are both red dot sights. The main difference is that the Holosun has LED technology versus the laser diode in a holographic sight. It’s not necessarily a drawback but a key design difference I think is worth noting.

A very attractive feature I find crucial, and you will too, is the long-lasting battery life and dual power sources compared in my full test review. Auto mode provides ambient-controlled brightness and draws power from the integrated solar panel.

It’s ideal as a fail-safe for when the CR2032 battery fails in Manual mode.

With Shake Awake, you can adjust the sleep timer for “always-on” operation. The quick detach mount I thoroughly cover makes things easy and convenient for dismounts and remounts if you switch out optics on your AR-15 like myself and many others do.

No need to question build quality with the Holosun.

Torture tests should have everyone convinced that this is a sight that will last both you and I a lifetime.

What to Look for in a Holographic Sight System

The most popular question to be asked when looking to buy a holographic sight is how it differs from a red dot sight. Learn about that here and what features you need in a holo sight to get the right kind of features before you buy.

They’re not cheap optics, so you want to get it right the first time you choose.

Technology: Holographic Sights VS Red Dots

With their HUD displays, small and compact builds, and unlimited eye relief, it can be really difficult to tell the difference between a holo sight and a red dot. Add to that consumer misconception about the two, and it gets even harder.

A red dot and holo sight both may use the iconic “red dot” aiming point, but they have two completely different systems. A red dot uses an LED to illuminate a projected dot on coated glass.

Holo sights use a series of lasers and mirrors of a holographic image of a reticle that is sandwiched between glass. The appearance of the reticle to the eye seems to be projected in the distance either on the target or in between the target and the optic.

Because of this type of technology, holo sights are easier to use as you’re focusing on the target itself and the reticle becomes crisp and clear.

Build: Holographic Sights VS Red Dots

Holographic sights can be used in extreme conditions such as when the front lens gets damaged.

It doesn’t hinder the internal mechanics that seems to project the reticle out into the field. They often have a wider field of view (as in the size of the window lens) than red dots, and the center dot can be as small as 1 MOA.

However, the drawbacks to using a holographic sight are often a red dot’s advantages. Red dot sights have a much lower starting price. They’re widely available because the technology is less costly and is uncomplicated compared to holos.

LEDs don’t draw as much power as laser diodes and red dots can often be left on for 50,000 hours or 5 years. They’re also smaller and more compact and can be mounted to pistols.

While the differing features may not be of great concern to many consumers, the difference lies in the technology. Like many things, the choice between the two is a matter of preference.

For more about this, we wrote a full holographic versus red dot sight article, complete with photograph comparisons – check it out!

Budget/Price of a Holosight

Holographic sights are expensive optics often starting around $400 for base models. Combined in packages with other optics, such as a magnifier, they can cost $1000 (approx.) for the pair.

Due to budget restrictions and perceived value, many opt for a higher-end red dot sight over the price of a base model holographic sight. A high-end holographic sight can cost over $600.

Holographic Sight Brand

EOTech was the only manufacturer of holographic sights for the consumer market for shooting sports for just over a decade. Because of this, holo sight availability is limited. Vortex is now a player in the holographic sight industry, and it’s a hope of many that this will boost the holo sight market with a more extensive selection.

But, you may have seen many other sights marketed as holographic sights and with a very low price tags by other brands. These are not true holo sights and are red dot sights by definition if you look at the technology.

Additionally, be vendor-specific when buying a holographic sight as it is known fact that there are Chinese counterfeit products in circulation.

Battery Power of Holographic Sights

Holographic sights draw much more power to operate versus a red dot sight. Vortex provides a rechargeable battery option or a CR123 battery to operate the Razor AMG UH-1. EOTech models will require AA batteries or 123 lithium batteries.

Battery life will depend on usage, but holo sights in general are capable of providing 600-1000 hours of continuous use.

Holographic Sight Reticles

Reticles are a matter of preference. Most will incorporate a 1 MOA center dot as the aiming point and a circle surrounding it to rapidly draw the eye to the center. There are also reticle designs available with ballistic holdover dots, ranging scales, and various other options.

Size/Weight of the Holographic Sight

Holographic sights are small, if you’re comparing it to a rifle scope or even holo sights used in the military decades ago. However, when compared with red dots, they’re bulky in size and weight. They weigh around 11 oz with EOTech’s 9 oz XPS2 and XPS3 models weighing the lightest at 9 oz.

Because of the battery requirements and holo technology, they’re big compared to red dots. They’re typically around 3-4″ in height, 2-3″ in width, and 2-6″ in length – not compatible with pistols.

Field of View of the Holo Sight

Because of the HUD and rectangular window of the holo sight, they tend to offer a wider field of view than red dots. It makes it easier to use with both eyes open and head and cheek welds are easier to repeat and use. Red dots with smaller windows or even with the tube-style design may require you to get a little closer to focus and may be less forgiving with eye relief.

FAQ’s About Holographic Sights

Notes: EOTech VS US Government

There’s a lot of talk and consumer misconception about the lawsuit against EOTech and the product recall in effect by the manufacturer, so we’ll briefly address it here.

In 2015, EOTech lost a lawsuit against the US Government for civil fraud. There were two, major issues that were brought to light: thermal drift and moisture incursion.

EOTech announced in April 2016 that they remedied the moisture incursion that caused lenses to fog up and reduce reticle brightness intensity. However, the thermal drift issue remains yet to be remedied. The issue is, in extreme temperatures, your zero can be off as much as 12″ at 300 yards.

One such thought is that battery-operated optics are often subject to operating temperatures of the batteries. As much as manufacturers can try to counteract this with various construction materials, builds, and protective features, it’s still prone to faulty operation. There’s also the issue of what constitutes extreme shifts in temperatures.

For the average, recreational shooter, there is very little to no concern of thermal drift occurring. However, for extreme conditions that may be experienced in military operations, extreme Winter hunting, and such, this defect must be considered.

It also must be said that L-3 Communications (parent company of EOTech), “one of the largest defense companies in the US” is still under contract to provide clip-on optics and close-quarter sights. In fact, L3 announced in January 2019 that EOTech Optics won a $26.3 million contract by U.S. Special Operations Command.

While this is rewarding news to the company, it’s not new news. EOTech has been outfitting the military since 2001.

Not everyone is ready to throw out or disregard EOTech. What will you choose?

With a Holo Sight . . .

With a holo sight, you have a 1 MOA dot, the smallest, available dot in the industry.

With a holo sight, you have a rectangular HUD display with an increased field of view to get on target without compromising situational awareness.

With a holo sight and use of a magnifier, your 1 MOA dot will always be 1 MOA to promote accuracy at all distances you dare shoot.

All this amounts to fast target acquisition, speed, and dependability.

With a holo sight, it’s just better.

Further Reading

• Ozark Armament Rhino 4x Prism Sight Review (Range Tested)
• Ozark Armament Rhino Red Dot Sight Review (Range Tested)
• Burris Fastfire 3 VS Vortex Venom Comparison [HANDS-ON]
• Vortex Venom Red Dot Review (6 MOA) – HANDS ON!
• What is a Prism Scope? Prism VS Reflex VS LPVO!