Quest for Aoudad – Bring Enough Glass!

One Thing is For Certain

When you have good glass life is easier. I don’t care if you’re trying to sight in your daughter’s Ruger 10/22, or competing in a PRS Match. When you look at the role optics play in backcountry, western or any open-country hunting—you should understand the need to prioritize what you’re looking through.

On a recent hunt in western Texas with Miller Brothers Outfitters, I took the TEKOA 4-16×44 on our quest for aoudad. First off, if you haven’t done this hunt—or it’s not on your radar, consider it now! These animals are free range, challenging, majestic, incredibly tough—and live in amazing country to hunt and explore. Plus it extends the big game season and is a heck of a way to spend a few days in February.

The Miller Ranch has great numbers of aoudad but to maintain the trophy numbers they offer only a limited number of hunts a year.

Spot & Stalk with an Emphasis on “Spot”

This hunt is not unlike others, meaning you are in the field all day, and most of that time is spent (or should be) looking through your binoculars. It’s the classic spot and stalk hunt. With an emphasis on spot. These rather larger animals are a challenge to pick out of the sage/scrub and rimrock of western Texas. And seeing them before they see you is even more challenging.

So optic selection and capability quickly becomes paramount. We’re always quick to talk about our rifle (I had an excellent Savage 110 in 300 Win Mag), the ammunition we carry (in this case a brand new, all-world long range option from Norma—BONDSTRIKE Extreme) and these are very important. But look at the percentage of time these come into play vs. binoculars! And that’s why I was happy to have the TORIC 8×42 binos. And these made a very impressive impression in camp as well.

TRACT Was a Significant Upgrade

The guides were unbelievable hunters and passionate outdoorsman. Their excitement and commitment to the hunt were second to none. I gave them a chance to look through my binoculars in a diverse set of conditions (low light, bright sunshine, fighting glare/shadows/etc.) and they really liked the clarity and sharpness. On multiple occasions they asked what power I had (I had an 8×42 set) because they were carrying 10x50s from some of the larger, well-known brands and my TRACTs were a significant upgrade!