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MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024

- APPAREL -
 
Huk has revolutionized the angler’s wardrobe with the Next Level Pant. This collection, designed to be the ultimate fishing pant, embodies versatility at its finest. Whether casting lines or working in the office, these pants suit any occasion.
- AWARDS -
 
The Headrest Safe Company™ announces they have won the On Target Editor’s Choice Award for the Vulcan Headrest Safe. The Headrest Safe™ is designed to provide maximum protection for your valuables or firearms.
- BOATING -
 
Construction of a kayak launch will begin April 9 at Danish Alps State Recreation Area near Hubbard. The joint project between the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District is expected to ease congestion at the main boat ramp.
- CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE -
 
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has confirmed Indiana’s first positive case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in LaGrange County. This positive case is adjacent to a region where CWD had previously been detected in Michigan. CWD has been detected in wild deer in 33 states, including all states bordering Indiana.
- COMPETITION -
 
Leupold & Stevens is pleased to announce that its Leupold Pro Shooters dominated Precision Rifle Series (PRS) events on both coasts the weekend of March 23-24, bringing home multiple honors at both the Snake River Standoff in Mountain Home, Idaho, and the VPRC Rifleman’s Revival in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

The Hillsdale Action Shooting Team, with sponsorship support from Springfield Armory®, competed and won at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) Nationals held at the Talladega Civilian Marksmanship Park March 9th and 10th this year.

The precision class at the 2024 JROTC National Three-Position Championship was a rinse and repeat version of last year’s competition – with both Granbury High School and Danjela (Jordan) De Jesus, 18, of the Camden County High School Navy JROTC in Georgia, reclaiming their titles in the individual and team competitions.

The Hillsdale Action Shooting Team earned several accolades at the Scholastic Action Shooting Program’s College Nationals in Talladega, Alabama, securing a first-place finish in the Centerfire Optic division, second and third place in the Centerfire Pistol division, and second and third place in the 1911 division. This is the team’s third year competing in the event.
- FISHING -
 
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is holding a series of introductory bullhead fishing clinics this spring, highlighting a seasonal opportunity to target one of Vermont’s most overlooked fish species

A fish fry favorite, channel catfish are abundant across Oklahoma and are both fun and easy to catch. While catfish will eat a wide variety of different types of bait, they have a strong preference for chicken liver, stink baits, and dough baits.
- FORESTRY -
 
New urban and community forestry professional development opportunities are available from the Society of American Foresters, which recently released a new certification program recognizing green industry skills. Professionals can apply to gain the Certified Urban Community Forester or Candidate Certified Urban and Community Forester titles.
- GIVEAWAYS -
 
G9 Defense is pleased to announce their participation in the Guns & Gear Home Defense Giveaway Promotion from now through midnight Central time on April 30, 2024. All you need to do to enter is “click here”.
- HUNTING -
 
Landowners have until May 1 to apply for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Elk Hunting Access Agreement (EHA) Program. These EHA agreements provide landowners with an elk license (including elk B), an either-sex permit or combination of the two in exchange for allowing free public hunting access for elk management purposes.

- INDUSTRY -
 
Pulsar announces the conclusion of its highly anticipated March 2024 ProStaff Event. More than 25 of the world's most dedicated hunters and marksmen met at the prestigious Sellmark Ranch in Fairfield, Texas for an unforgettable hunting and shooting experience with the latest advancements in rifle optics and thermal technology.

NEXTORCH Industries is excited to announce the launch of their new website to better serve the needs of their loyal customers. A new modern look, improved navigation, and more detailed product specifications significantly enhance the buying experience, making it easier and more intuitive for users to identify products that not only meet but exceed their needs.
- INVASIVE SPECIES -
 
Anyone who launches a boat or any other watercraft in Utah — whether they are a resident or non-resident — is required to take an annual mussel-aware boater course. This includes individuals with paddle boards, kayaks and other non-motorized watercraft. Anyone who wants to launch a motorized boat must also pay an annual aquatic invasive species program vessel enrollment fee.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct aquatic plant control in portions of Lake Cypress the week of April 15, weather permitting. The FWC will treat invasive hydrilla in the Osceola County lake in areas where it is encroaching on beneficial native submersed aquatic plants and could impact access to navigation and flood protection.

- JOBS -
 
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is currently accepting applications for an Accounting and Human Resources Assistant. The Accounting and Human Resources Assistant will support the Administrative Officer in carrying out the fiscal management, budgeting, procurement, personnel, and detailed record-keeping requirements of the Council.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
 
Federal Ammunition adds 15 new sub-gauge product options to its popular Federal Premium High Over All (HOA) product lineup. Engineered for the most elite trap, skeet and sporting clays shooters, HOA leaves a trail of shattered targets in its wake and more reloads per shell.
- NEW PROUDUCTS -
 
New in 2024, Troy has updated the PAR with a sleek 13” M-LOK rail system. These rails are lightweight and snag-free. Built with either 16” or 18” free-floated barrels, the PAR is chambered in .223, .300BO, .222 and .308.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
 
The National Archery in the Schools Program and Easton Technical Products celebrate the highest number of Academic Archer nominations ever recorded with 40,163 Academic Archers being nominated by their coaches for the 2023/2024 school year.

- SPONSORSHIPS -
 
The Italian Firearms Group and Tanfoglio are proud to be division sponsors for the upcoming IPSC US National Handgun Championship, slated to take place from April 10th to April 14th, 2024, at the esteemed Rio Salado Sportsman’s Club in Mesa, Arizona.

Burris Optics announces the extension of its strategic partnership with Beyond the Hunt, an acclaimed television show that takes viewers on amazing hunting adventures across North America.
- STATE AGENCIES -
 
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications from landowners who are interested in participating in the 2024 Block Management Program. Application deadline is June 1. Through the Block Management Program, landowners and FWP work together to help manage wildlife and public hunting activities on enrolled lands.

Members of the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission received a presentation about recent improvements to fishing docks and boat ramps across Oklahoma at their regular meeting April 1 in Oklahoma City. 

As a result of an investigation conducted by Indiana Conservation Officers, Ryan Jinkerson, 46, of Lowell, and Randy Kirk, 34, of Winfield, face multiple charges of and related to poaching deer.

As of April 1, 2024, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish’s Share with Wildlife program will begin accepting proposals for projects with a planned start date on or after Jan. 15, 2025.?All project proposals are due by 4 p.m. MDT on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Montana FWP proposes an approximate 414-acre addition to the Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area (WMA) by fee title acquisition. If approved, FWP would purchase the parcel at the appraised value of $900,000.00. Public comment is welcome and will be accepted until 5 p.m. MST on May 5, 2024.
- STATE PARKS -
 
Campers may begin making reservations beginning April 8 at newly developed campgrounds at Sherman Reservoir and Box Butte Reservoir state recreation areas. At Sherman Reservoir SRA near Loup City, West Ridge Campground has been expanded and now has 61 campsites with Electric Plus (30/50 amp) service.
- TELEVISION -
 
This week on The High Road with Keith Warren, Keith has a close encounter with one of the deadliest predators in North America, then we head down and to Mexico to join Johnny on a group Turkey hunt.
 

FEATURE

Now that the dark days of the L3 Harris/L-3 Comm ownership of EOTech Inc. are over, the company is truly able to reach out to American citizen gun owners, not just go after military contracts. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is good news for you.

Several years ago, EOTech released a professional-grade line of optics under the Vudu moniker. These pieces of rifle glass, being on par with Leupold and Nightforce, quite naturally had commensurate price tags. The folks at EOTech listened to their customers and now have a brand new sub-category of quality rifle scopes that will be listed at more affordable prices, though they will not be “cheap”. If you are looking for a “cheap” scope, look elsewhere.

Vudu X Rifle Scopes

At press time, EOTech has the new Vudu X line scheduled for full release in the “summer of 2024”. Being a powerful and influential member of the media, I was able to procure examples of their new rifle scopes and begin my testing and reviews of them.

For the moment, there are two units in the Vudu X stable, a 1-6x24 LPVO and a 2-12x variable powered rifle scope. Let’s take a moment to consider the specifications for each one.

Vudu X 1-6x24mm LVPO Opti

1-6x24 LPVO / SFP

Thanks to the failed Global War on Terror, the “Low Power Variable Optic”, or LPVO as the cool kids call them, became a thing. Prior to GWoT, most variable powered rifle scopes were 3x to something; 3-9x and 3-10x being the most popular.

The Vudu X 1-6x24 has a 24mm objective lens and a 30mm tube. The reticle adjustments for both windage and elevation are ½ MOA with a total adjustability at 160 MOA. Both the windage and elevation knobs are recessed and capped. The scope is 10.3 inches long and weighs 17.8 ounces.

This is an SFP or Second Focal Plane rifle scope. There will be two reticle options available. The unit I had on hand used what EOTech calls their DP1 reticle. The BD1 (ballistic drop) reticle will also be an option. Both reticles will be illuminated with 10 power settings that use a single 2032 battery.

The large focal lens body incorporates the magnification ring which is standard for the LPVO design as well as others. There is no parallax knob and fine tune focusing is accomplished at the rear with an ocular lens.

EOTech Vudu X 2-12x40mm SFP rifle scope

2-12x40 SFP

The other rifle scope in the Vudu X line is a 2-12x unit with 40mm objective lens and a 30mm body. This optic is a more traditional style scope as it has ¼ MOA windage and elevation adjustments and includes a parallax adjustment knob on the left side, opposite the windage knob. Like the 1-6x model, the adjustment knobs are recessed and capped. Total MOA adjustability is 80.

Also, like its brother, the 2-12x model is a Second Focal Plane optic and is available with either the DP1 or BD1 illuminated reticle choices. The 2-12x model that I had on hand to review had the BD1 reticle. The Ballistic Drop hold overs are calculated at 2, 4, 6 and 8 MOA.

The 2-12x model weighs in at 21.1 ounces and has an overall length of 12.6 inches. As with the 1-6x model, the magnification ring is located on the focal lens and a removable, quick throw lever is included with each scope. For fine tuning the optic to your eye, the 2-12x had an ocular lens.

EOTech Vudu X scope on AR-10 in .308 Winchester with quick throw lever

Range Testing

For my range testing I decided to use the same platform; an AR-10 .308 Winchester rifle. Prior to heading out, I mounted the two new EOTech scopes into identical AR-style 30mm scope mounts. These mounts used a single base mount screw which enabled me to quickly swap the glass in the field.

The first scope I mounted was the 2-12x40mm SFP. To get on paper quickly I put the target at 25 meters. Doing the math and calculating the corrections, I was in the center after three shots using a Black Hills 168 grain BTHP load.

Naturally, the impact at 100 yards would be different than at 25M. However, only two shots were needed to establish a solid 100 yard zero. The rifle and scope combination produced solid, reliable groups. Clarity and focus with the new Vudu X optic were superb.

Next up was the 1-6x24mm LPVO. I repeated the steps to get on paper at 25 meters and then I moved the target to 50 meters for a final zero. Again, the 25m BZO was quickly set to get the windage right primarily. A few rounds later I had 50 meter dope and was reliably printing respectable shot groups.

I used the quick throw lever and magnification adjustment was easy. If you don’t like or want that option, the lever can be removed with no tools needed. As mentioned, I have just begun my testing with the Vudu X scopes and I am looking forward to stretching them out this summer. For now all signs point to a high quality product with great potential for shooters who want a close to mid-range optic from a reliable company.

—Paul Markel

About the Author

Paul G. Markel is the founder of Student the Gun University and has been teaching Small Arms & Tactics to military personnel, police officers, and citizens for over three decades. He is the author of numerous books and is a combat decorated United States Marine veteran. Markel is also the newest Associate Editor of The Outdoor Wire Digital Network, providing content to all our services, including our newest, Shooting News Weekly (LINK: https://www.shootingnewsweekly.com/)
 
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