Steven Louis Wood Junior

December 1, 2025Uncategorizedobituary, steve wood, steven louis wood, steven louis wood junior, steven woodcoldboremiracle

January 10, 1948-November 21, 2025

Steven Louis Wood Junior passed away on November 21, 2025, at his home in St. George, Utah. He was surrounded by his wife and four children, spending his final moments sharing laughs and memories in the comfort of those he loved most.

Steve was born on January 10, 1948. He grew up in Farmington and later raised his family there. He spent his youth in the beautiful mountains of Davis County. An avid outdoorsman, fisherman, and hunter, he passed his love of the outdoors on to his children and grandchildren. He graduated from Davis High School in 1966. Steve faithfully served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the British Mission. He later met and married his wife, Debra (Debbie) Hafen, in 1973, with whom he shared 52 years of marriage. His life with Debbie was filled with adventure and travel, from humble fishing and camping trips in the early years of their marriage to journeys along the Gulf Coast and throughout Mexico and Central America, or crossing the landscapes of the West in their UTV’s. The most cherished memories were made around a campfire in the Wasatch Mountains or on the water at Lake Powell. No matter the destination, his preferred company was always his family.

Dad (center) with his father and brothers

Steve was a generous and humble man, never hesitating to come to the aid of others. He possessed a sharp and lovable sense of humor, a warm smile, and an endless supply of endearing and playful teasing—reserved exclusively for those closest to him. He preferred private moments with loved ones and shied away from attention. A man of few words, he expressed his love through his actions and thoughtful gestures.

Steve was a devoted father, ensuring his children never went without, while at the same time instilling in them respect, self-reliance, and a lasting appreciation for hard work. His children carry countless memories of hunting adventures, skeet shooting, speeding across Lake Powell in his bass boat, and sharing quiet, wordless conversations over fresh garden tomatoes in the backyard.

Steven wood, pheasant hunting, family, — Dad with the three of us boys

Steve is survived by his wife, Debbie, and his children: Corrie (Brad), Jeffrey (Gabriela), Spencer (Amber), and Brad (Heather), along with 11 grandchildren, and his brothers David (Judy) and Douglas (Teresa). He was preceded in death by his parents, Steven Louis Wood Sr. and Dorothy Wood, and his brother, Jerry Wood.

My Father

Among some of my earliest memories, were moments I spent with my Father. They are now distant memories, somewhat blurred and with subdued sounds. Some of them I fear have faded into dreams, where I can’t be sure how much of it is memory and how much is imagined.

My Dad has always been very proper and polite in his speaking and traditionally stoic in his personality. So it may seem out of character to many who have known him over the years, to imagine him singing nursery rhymes, bouncing to the rhythms with me as he helped me comb my hair. I must have been four or five years old, still small enough to stand on the bathroom counter and see my Dad’s smiling face in the mirror behind me as we sang and danced along together. There was a joy and kindness in his face that always made me feel safe and loved.

I can still hear his voice in another memory, the voice of a young man. As he stood over me, both of us gripping tightly around the handle of a fishing rod waiting for just the right moment. My eyes hadn’t yet developed the skill of spotting fish underwater, I just remember seeing both his and my reflection on the water’s surface.

Dad whispered to me as I impatiently awaited the excitement, I didn’t know what he was seeing that I couldn’t, but I knew to trust him because Dad always caught fish. “He’s taking it… He’s taking it” I remember Dad saying, and in a splash of excitement and tugging, Dad helped me catch my first fish.

It had never occurred to me in my youth that my Dad was anything less than perfect, he was always right, he always had a good answer for every question, and he was always there. He never missed an opportunity to teach me something, he could fix anything and he always seemed to find ways to use my curiosity as a teaching asset.

I often wonder about that realm of time before my young memory was composed, what other great attributes did I learn without even knowing it?

I always knew that my Dad loved me, despite never hearing him say those words. My Father in his quiet and stern ways never missed the opportunity to show me that he cared about and loved me. Countless life lessons were passed from his loving heart to mine, with kindness and understanding, and occasionally tough love. But never was there any doubt that he loved me and wanted me to be the best I could be.

It might be hard to describe the feeling to those outside our small Wood family circle, but I come from a long line of incredibly good and kind men. As each generation of them passes, the shoes they leave for us to fill leaves me feeling uncommonly inadequate. A feeling I’d imagine my brothers share, but we could not have had better examples for good men and fathers. I’m quite confident my cousins had a similar experience, coming from the same line.
Anyone who knew my Grandfather would understand why my Dad is the way he is. They both are great examples of kindness and humbly helping others. I remember my Grandpa’s funeral, so many good people came to celebrate the life of such a wonderful man.

My grandparents, holding my father as a toddler

Just before opening up the room to the entire funeral gathering, our family was given one last chance to say goodbye to Grandpa before his casket was closed. As the funeral director said those words I was surprised to see my Father nearly sprint from the crowd to the side of the casket, it seemed out of character for Dad to move so irreverently. I often wondered what words were said as Dad stood there beside Grandpa, but with every year that passes I feel like I know a little bit more what that exchange was like. I think Dad loved my Grandfather the same way that I love him, many of the very best parts of me were simply following his example and direction. And even before I had the capacity to process and understand it completely, I felt deep down that much of the good parts of my heart and soul were inherited from my Father, and his Father before him. With a lifetime of memories, its hard to share just a few stories.

Every one of us has felt a loss since Dad passed away, I consider it an honor to have actually lost a piece of me with him. As many of you know, Dad needed a kidney back in 2010. His own kidneys had been failing for some time, and without a new one, he wouldn’t live much longer. All of our family stepped up to be tested and see if we could help by offering a piece of ourselves in exchange for more Grandpa time for our kids. After much testing and many family members offering themselves, some of whom sit among you, it was narrowed down to Spence and myself, and I guess you could say I drew the straw.

Dad doing what he loved, fishing in the Pacific Ocean

I was terrified at the idea of being cut apart, but I knew I couldn’t bear the greater pain of having Dad cut from our lives. I remember sitting in the hospital, alone and separated from my own young family. Shivering from both the cold temperature of the operating room, and the nerves that had me on edge. I tried to hide my fear, and keep my composure, but it wouldn’t last long.

At the last moment before heading in to the operating room, I shuffled over to Dad dragging my IV tree, to give him one more hug and tell him I loved him one more time, should the surgery go poorly for either of us. Instead I ended up just sobbing into his shoulder, the same way I often had as a child when he would pick me up. But now his weak arms reached up to me. He held me tight, as I’m sure he was equally worried about both of us. His jaundiced and teary eyes told me what his voice would not.

Dad and I often understood each other without saying much, as I had been forced throughout life to develop fluency in the telepathic language that Dad used to communicate. Often having to guess between various possibilities until one became clear.

After recovering from our surgeries, and a few hiccups that followed us both, it seemed Dad had setback the clock, or at least it had gone into overtime. Recognizing his new lease on life, I promised myself that I would make every effort to fill what time we had left together with as many memories as possible. Our shared love of fishing and hunting gave us infinite opportunities to enjoy what we both loved.

Dad with his two oldest grandsons, this was his first deer in over 20 years. More than a year after his kidney transplant

Many years ago now, Dad, my son Ridley and I were chasing mule deer just up on the mountain from here. It was the first time ever that the three of us had been hunting as a trio and I had pressured myself to ensure all three of us were successful.
After several days of hard hunting, and as much hiking as Dad could handle, we found ourselves without any success.

As anyone who hunts with me can tell you, I was soured about our lack of any victories. In my desperate attempts to ensure some success for the three of us, I lost my temper and my attitude descended into despair. I was lucky to have my cool-headed Father along, who used his way of speaking to my heart in as few words as possible. And in a way only he could, he helped me understand that the great experience I was hoping to create was going to be lost if I didn’t pay attention to my attitude and the little guy watching me. With a fresh perspective, the day turned out to be an amazing adventure, as barely an hour later Dad and I both watched as Ridley shot his very first deer.

Forty-something years ago I can still remember following Dad around the house, in and out of the garage. He was always tinkering on something, one project or another and like little boys do I was happy just to be there and soak up the manly atmosphere.

I can still hear the AM radio playing old country music, and the smell of old grease and tools in the garage. Dad would tolerate my questions, and do his best to explain to me what he was doing. I would listen and watch, engrossed in whatever project we were doing. As those old songs would roll along Dad would sing and I would try to learn and follow as best I knew how. I knew the words to many of them, and like most kids I knew the words I wasn’t supposed to say. I would always pay attention, curious to see what Dad would do when one of those words was sung. As though he knew I was watching he’d just hum over those parts and continue singing along.

Just a year or two ago, we were again tinkering together on the tailgate of Dad’s truck. And those same old country songs played quietly from the cab of the truck, I softly sang the words having long since learned them by heart. Dad joined me as we worked, then in a moment of clarity I noticed that it was now him who occasionally struggled to remember some of the words as he hummed through some of it. My heart ached as this moment clarified my worst fears that my Father was creeping closer to the end of our time together.

As the years have passed, Dad and I have always understood each other. Even as his time drew nearer, we could both joke about him not being there for future events we anticipated. Not just for the morbid laughs obviously, but I think because we both had an understanding of life, and our purpose. Something he had taught me well, in fact, he had spent his whole life preparing me to live without him. Just like in fishing, his foresight seeing what I couldn’t yet see was used to teach me a valuable lesson.

It wasn’t always that way though, the arrogance and recklessness of my youth drove a deep divide between us. I never had time for doing what Dad thought I should, I can imagine the abandonment he must have felt as we drifted apart those years. Something I was too foolish to notice, and all these years later I am glad he was around long enough for me to recognize what I was missing out on.

We have spent some time together recently, driving across country or slowly rumbling down dirt roads chatting about life and its finer points. I have been able to see so much clearer just how much I have gotten from my Dad. He lived his life in such a way that there was never any doubt of how he felt and what he believed, despite not saying much about it. What a beautiful thing it was as a young man, to know right and wrong simply by whether or not my dad would do it.

I know now that my Father was far from perfect, and yet he is still my hero, now more than ever. Looking back as a father myself, my opinion of him has only been amplified. And I can only hope that someday my own children will think as highly of me as my father’s children think of him. I am so grateful that I was blessed with my father, and to be able to be next to him as he made his way from this world. I couldn’t stand the idea of him going through it alone.

Dad called his own shots, and that’s how he left us as well, on his own terms. Despite the pain of losing my Dad, our father, brother, friend and grandpa, I know I will see him again and it will be a beautiful day in eternity when I can see his loving smile again, and hug him once more, two kidneys each.

-CBM

definitely one of his favorite places — Definitely one of Dad’s favorite places

Dad achieved Grandpa excellence on his first try

Dad and my brothers after slaying some ducks

geese weren’t safe either, Dad loved hunting geese with friends and family

Dad’s affinity for Striped Bass has been passed down two generations already

Always content to just stand there holding a grandchild

His unspoken communication worked with dogs as well, and they loved him for it

the last time he left his house, that wasn’t for a doctor or hospital visit. To watch one of his grandson’s football games

Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18×50 Riflescope

November 29, 2025Optics, Product review6-18x50, riflescope, scope, winchester, winchester supreme, winchester supreme opticscoldboremiracle

Preface

Winchester Supreme Optics is on a mission to grow the famous brand once again, and today we are taking a look at one of the products doing the work. Our topic today is Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18X50 riflescope, built on a 30mm tube and with a second focal plane reticle. Offering a variety of quality features at an affordable price is part of the program here, and I was curious to see how this scope stood up to my biases.

Winchester Supreme Optics

Winchester Supreme Optics looks to bring back the quality and standard of the Winchester name. Our first look at this riflescope proved to impress me, so I am looking forward to seeing how the rest of their products perform.

Besides the scope tested here today, Winchester Supreme Optics also makes other products like binoculars, rifle scopes, thermal optics as well as spotting scopes. I have also been able to test and evaluate Winchesters 10×50 binoculars, you can read all about that here. And I look forward to seeing additional products from the brand, as so far I am impressed.

Specifications

WINCHESTER^® SUPREME^® RIFLESCOPE	6-18×50 mm SFIR(Side Focus Illuminated Reticle)
MAGNIFICATION RANGE	6X-18X
OBJECTIVE LENS DIAMETER	50 mm
OBJECTIVE OUTSIDE DIAMETER	57.5 mm
OCULAR LENS DIAMETER	35.5 mm
OCULAR OUTSIDE DIAMETER	44 mm
BODY TUBE DIAMETER	30 mm
LENGTH	352 mm / 13.8 in
WEIGHT	659.5 g / 23 oz
CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL	A6063-T6
BODY CONSTRUCTION	1 Piece
COLOR / FINISH	Black Matte
WATERPROOF	YES
FOGPROOF	YES
SHOCKPROOF	YES
SIDE FOCUS	YES
PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT	YES
PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT RANGE	10 y – ∞
PARALLAX SETTING	100 y
ADJUSTMENT TURRET TYPE	Low Turret-Finger Adjustable
WINDAGE ADJUSTMENT RANGE	70 MOA
HORIZONTAL EFFECTIVE RANGE	±30 MOA
ELEVATION ADJUSTMENT RANGE	70 MOA
EFFECTIVE VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT RANGE	±30 MOA
CLICK VALUE	0.25 MOA
RETICLE TYPE (ETCHED / WIRE)	Etched
RETICLE DESIGN	Illuminated
EYE RELIEF	109-93 mm / 4.3-3.6 in
EXIT PUPIL	8.33 mm – 2.77 mm
FIELD OF VIEW (FOV)	19.2 ft – 6.4 ft
FOCAL PLANE	Second (SFP)
DIOPTER COMPENSATION	+2/-2.5
BATTERY	CR2032
ZERO STOP	NO
RESETTABLE TURRET	YES
IP RATING	IPX7 (1m/30min)
FULL MULTICOAT TYPE	Winchester WINcoat™

Winchester 6-18×50 Features

Building on the quality, Winchester kept within well known boundaries to guarantee success. And at the same time they pushed their own advancements to improve their products. Time would tell if this made this scope an exceptional value or just a marketing ploy.

One of their claims to quality is based off of quality lenses and coatings. Their proprietary WINcoat™ claims to reduce glare, and aid in light transmission while protecting the lens from things like fingers and dirt. Lens coatings have become standard these days, so I would look to see if there was a discernible difference to similar priced scopes.

The large 50 millimeter objective promises to compress details of your target into a bright image for your observation. That paired with the 30mm tube gives a pretty standard construction for long-range precision riflescopes. The 30mm tube allows wider range of adjustment internally than smaller sized scopes.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, CVA, CVA Cascade, Cascade SB, 6.5 Creedmoor — the Winchester 6-18 scope isn’t heavy, making for a very agile rifle

A reticle in the second focal plane (SFP) means that the reticle stays the same regardless of magnification power setting. Most of us likely learned to shoot on SFP scopes so this should be nothing new, though I will say I tend to prefer the first focal plane (FFP) that seems to be more common among precision shooters. If you’d like to read more on the subject, I go into more detail on selecting FFP vs. SFP here.

Inside the scope we also found some more traditional features. The turrets are 15 MOA per revolution and can easily be set to zero using a tool or coin. The parallax is user adjustable and can go as low as 10 yards, which could come in handy if you mount it to a rimfire.

Unboxing, Setup and Mounting

The packaging for the scope was handsome, and right to the point. By that I mean there wasn’t a lot to it, a polymer clamshell holding the scope, bikini covers, lens-cloth and owners manual. I’m not complaining about it, as for the most part people just toss packaging. And it’s that much less cost involved which keeps the price lower.

After opening the box and inspecting everything, I installed the battery into the illuminated reticle rheostat housing. After which I snugged down the lid using a coin.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, battery, cr2032,

I chose to mount the scope to my CVA Cascade SB, an eighteen-inch 6.5 Creedmoor hunting rifle. The Winchester would make a good companion for it. I used a simple set of Vortex rings to attach the scope, followed by torquing it all down. My tradition of boresighting the rifle was quick and easy on the kitchen table. All that was left was a few more accessories.

A Harris bipod would make both field and range shooting easier. And because I like some variety, I also threw on a PVA Jetblast muzzle brake for when I wasn’t using the Banish Buck 30 suppressor.

On the Range

My first trip into the field with the rifle and scope combo would be into the early winter in the Rocky Mountains. With a few cow elk tags in our party, I thought it might be handy to have a potent little rifle like this along. And if we didn’t see any elk, I could engage in one of my favorite pastimes of picking out targets in the windswept canyons. Either way I was sure to find out how this little Winchester scope performed.

shooting supported from the **Two Vets Tripod**

My initial impressions were positive, the scope had a very bright image with excellent clarity and detail. The magnification range was a touch shorter than I am used to, but I don’t see anything particularly wrong with it. I can’t think of one of my typical hunting scenarios where 6X would have been too much, and 18X wouldn’t have been enough.

As it was, we engaged targets as far as 900 yards with the Winchester scope. The known dope for the rifle crossed over perfectly to the turrets of the Winchester, allowing for near first round hits at that range if it wasn’t for the wind.

Quality

The optical quality of this little scope was great, I dare say punching above its weight at this price point. Regardless of power it felt like the image was fantastic and clear, though the eye-box felt a bit touchy at higher power.

Adjusting the turrets gave a nice audible and tactile click, this would come in very handy should you need to make adjustments while on the scope. I am a bit more fond of MRAD than MOA, but it seems that the hunting public seems more accustomed to MOA. The 15-MOA per turn turrets would certainly do for most purposes I planned on with this rifle. But it wouldn’t hurt my feelings if it was a 30-MOA turret instead.

Inside the scope, the duplex-dot reticle is a nice combination for hunting. The illumination only affects the center dot, giving you a bright aimpoint in low light conditions. It’s been a while since I used such a simple reticle, and I found it a little refreshing. That said, if long-range shooting is in your future it might be harder to evaluate wind corrections without any reference points.

winchester supreme optics, 6-18x50, riflescope, winchester, reticle

Durability

The mechanical simplicity of this scope in nice, there are fewer things to go wrong I guess. I look forward to using it over the next year or two to give it a good workout. Make sure you follow along as I will update this story in the future as time passes.

During the course of my testing. we ran the turrets on this scope up and down constantly. Moving the turrets and magnification from extreme to extreme was part of the daily routine. Additionally, I ran the scope up and down against a yardstick. This was to see how consistent the movement of the scopes erector was, and how accurate the movement was compared to the indicated turret travel.

Junior’s WSO Binoculars are safely secured inside a **Cole-TAC Bino Harness**

Using the scope in the ice cold air of the winter Rocky Mountains didn’t affect its operation. And the image was pristine looking through the crisp winter landscape.

Value

There are many layers of quality and value in the optics market. Bottom tier optics like the kind manufacturers give away in a rifle package are often barely worth the trouble of zeroing them. Some might assume because of the Winchester name, that these scopes are in that class. But that would be a big mistake. While this scope is priced under $300 on Optics Planet, it is definitely above average compared to the three hundred dollar scopes I am used to. Though to be honest that is changing rapidly. The optical quality of this scope, its turret operation, and sharp focus stand out against other similarly priced scopes.

CBM Junior is seen here using the **WSO 10×50 Binoculars** which are another great buy if you’re interested

Pros and Cons

Let’s start out with the negatives on this one, just to get them out of the way. First of all a couple of design features; the illuminated reticle control has only one “off” position on the zero out of eleven settings. This is a bit of a minor thing I’ll admit, but everybody else has been able to make various off settings on comparable scopes. I’d also like some kind of zero-stop, its very easy to get lost in the rotations without one. To be fair, zero-stops are typically for scopes priced higher than this.

On the optical performance I found a couple things to knit-pick as well. While the overall imagery through this scope was very good, I did find the eye relief to be a bit picky at 18X. With the scope at max power it required you be very consistent with your positioning on the rifle to get the best view. This wasn’t a deal breaker for me or anything, but something to note. Additionally, most parallax adjustments go from something like 100, 300, 500, 600, 700, etc. The parallax adjustment on this scope is much more course, with a broad close range spanning from 10 to 100 yards. But then goes from 200 yards to infinity, making it a very small amount of adjustment range when shooting at longer ranges. This was a small inconvenience, and I had no problem focusing the reticle on targets as far as 900 yards away.

After evaluating those drawbacks, I can still say I like this scope for a variety of shooting purposes. With its price point and market presentation, I think this scope is optimal for a typical hunter who might be after big game, predators or varmints. It might not be optimal for longer range shooting such as 600 yard plus shooting, but it is a great affordable option for inside that distance.

The bright dot illuminated reticle is great for fast target acquisition, or making good shot placement in dark woods. The second focal plane is consistent and simple for those who like that. The turrets are accurate in their travel, and easy to reset at zero. I am more of an MRAD fan, but there is nothing wrong with MOA. All the scopes controls are easy enough to adjust from the shooting position, and not too easy to either. This helps avoid inadvertent adjustments when brushing against packs and other gear while hiking. And the crisp image through the scope is more impressive than the pictures I can take through it.

My Conclusion

If you are one of those who likes to look down their nose at lower priced optics, you might find yourself surprised by the Winchester Supreme Optics 6-18X50. I think this scope would be a great addition to a hunting rifle, a definite upgrade from the cheap giveaway scopes that come preinstalled on some rifles. I am certainly not an elitist when it comes to optics, but I don’t typically use scopes in the 200-300 dollar range. But I was more than happy to go hunting with this one mounted on my rifle, and felt perfectly comfortable chasing big game through rough country with it.

I’m happy to see the famous Winchester name making a comeback, and with good products like this at an affordable price I expect the brand will grow. I will continue my pursuits through these mountains, and this little Winchester will be by my side. Follow along to see how it stands up over time.

-CBM

Check out more optics reviews here

Rokstad Tauron Carbon Fiber Tripod

November 16, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewcarbon fiber, rokstad, shooting tripod, tauron, Tripod, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tripods have become a big part of shooting activities. Whether it is for building a support position for your rifle, or positioning support optics, tripods are a fantastic accessory. I have had the good fortune to use a variety of different tripods of various types and situations. This has opened my eyes to the value of a good tripod, in the right situation. Today I am bringing you a review of another tripod, built specifically for shooting sports. This tripod comes from the folks at Vector Optics, but it is a sub-brand. The Rokstad Tauron carbon fiber tripod is of heavy duty construction, with extendable carbon fiber locking legs. Using the tripod together with Rokstad’s 56mm ball-head gives you impressive mounting and manipulation.

Having arrived right before hunting season would give me a great opportunity to put this tripod to work. Using the Rokstad tripod to support both firearms, spotting scopes, and other items. Over the next couple months, I would use the tripod on the range, out in the deserts and in the high frozen country of the Rocky Mountains.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, Nikon Monarch 82ED-A Fieldscope — my **Nikon Monarch 82m Fieldscope** mounted in the Rokstad tripod

Rokstad Tauron Specifications

Leg Sections	4
Leg Locks	Twist
Folded Length	56 cm / 22.05 in
Maximum Height	169 cm / 66.54 in
Main Tube Diameter	34 mm
Max Load	35 kg / 77 lbs
Tube Material	Carbon Fiber
Angle Adjustments	Yes
Feet Tripod Spike	Yes
Weight	2.12 kg / 74.78 oz
Items in the Package	Storage Bag and Hex Keys

Much thought went into the design of this tripod, adding some clever features. And at the exact same time, the tripod is a simple device. With four extendable sectioned legs, it is a very tall tripod, one could put a sheet around it and use it as a rain shelter.

Attaching a ball head or other device on top of the tripod is done using either a 1/4 threaded stud, or a 3/8 threaded stud. The cunning design has a spring loaded stud, that allows you to pull out the one you want to use, while the other stud collapses inside.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head,

The lightweight carbon fiber legs are very stiff and strong, the rubberized twist-locking rings allow fast deployment. At the bottom end of the legs there are rubber feet, the feet can be twisted up revealing steel spikes for better traction. Additionally, the legs lock in three different angles, allowing you many options for configuring the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, feet, spike,

With its robust construction, the Tauron Tripod can hold up to 77lbs on top. Which is more than I would ever plan on putting there. Rokstad offers a 38mm and 56mm ball head to mount on the Tauron tripod, I selected the 56mm.

Rokstad 56mm Ball Head

The ball head itself is also built well, with a nice finish and look all around. The ball head features 360 degree rotation, and also includes the typical 90 degree drop notch that allows you to hit extreme angles.

On top of the ball, there is a dual clamp that is tightened by a thumb-screw. The clamp itself is designed to hold both ARCA rail systems as well as picatinny rail systems. This will allow you to mount a variety of firearms and other items to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, nikon, fieldscope,

Controls on the ball head are very easy to operate. There is a smaller tension knob that controls the resistance when panning the ball head. And the larger knob adjusts the clamping resistance on the ball itself, the knob has various numbers showing the resistance setting. Interestingly, these controls typically add resistance as you tighten the knob. But on this ball head, the resistance as you tighten the knob doesn’t seem to increase with commensurate resistance on the ball. This allow easy manipulation of the ball head with less effort.

The ball head comes with a small rubberized section of ARCA that can be used to attach a rifle, spotting scope or other device to quickly attach to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, custom 10/22, primary arms, glx, 22lr, .22lr, suppressed, spectre 2, — shooting from the Tauron tripod was steady and comfortable, seen here my custom 10/22 with the **Primary Arms GLx 3-18 scope** and **Silencerco Spectre 22 suppresso**r

In the Field with the Rokstad Tauron Tripod

Whether on the range, out in the desert, or high in the Rocky Mountains chasing mule deer, this tripod was a fantastic tool. I used it for supporting my spotting optics, my camera, rifles and other items.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, sig sauer, kilo 10k, — the Rokstad Tauron is extremely stable for glassing with these **Sig Sauer Kilo 10k Binos**

I found the controls of the tripod and ball head to be very easy and intuitive to operate. While the tripod is very light compared to non-carbon fiber options, but I didn’t often choose to pack it along during hunts. This size of tripod is great for short walks and or range operations. It isn’t often I would take this or any comparable tripod on long hikes through rough country.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, maven optics, spotting scope, compact, CS 1A 15-45x,

Using both the rubber feet and the spike s underneath the tripod made a very sturdy structure. Making an excellent platform to shoot from, as well as watching target animals. I did notice occasionally the rubber feet would rattle loose, which would expose the spikes. This isn’t a big deal, as the rubber feet are captured and cannot fall off when loose, but it was a slight inconvenience at times.

Locking the legs in their various positions was quick and easy using the locking lugs, I did find that I like other designs slightly better. Because the locks can be pulled from the front or pushed out from the back. The Rokstad design can only be pulled from the front, this is a minor issue that you likely would miss unless you were used the something else.

Quality

One of the concerns many folks have about foreign built products is the level of quality in construction. I have been quite impressed with the quality of other Vector Optics products, so it came as no surprise that I was also pleased with the Rokstad sub-brand as well. The finish on this tripod is great, the carbon fiber has an excellent build. All the machine work is done well, and there is even a touch of style to it.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, continental, — if that rifle looks familiar its because my **Desert Tech SRS M2** is wearing the Vector Optics 6-36×56 scope, its mounted in an **Area 419 scope mount**, and on top you can see the **US Optics RISE red dot**.

The controls are crisp and strong, you definitely feel like you can push against this tripod. By that I mean both physically and against its stops. The leg extension locks are very tight, and don’t require heavy torquing to lock the extensions in place. Same with the leg angle locks. And the ball head controls are very tactile allowing sharp control of friction settings.

Usability

I found the Tauron tripod to be every bit as comfortable to use as other tripods I’ve used. The rubberized leg extension locks are quick and easy to use, and deploying the legs of the tripod is quick and smooth. The articulation of the legs allows me to get into most any setup with this tripod, giving excellent support.

Articulating the ball head took a moment to get used to, but once I’d figured it out I quite liked it. Being able to lock both ARCA rails and picatinny rails was a great benefit. Two of the three legs have a foam grip area for comfortably carrying the tripod. Which is especially nice in extreme cold weather.

Value

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod is definitely less expensive than some of the competition. Even compared to some other tripods built overseas, it is still much more affordable. There is obviously good reason behind this, we all know there is no free lunch. While it is lighter than some comparable tripods, it is far from the lightest. It has great features and controls despite others having some better options. But all this should come as no surprise for a tripod that cost only four hundred and fifty dollars (at time of publication). Many of the comparable tripods cost double or triple what this one costs. I am sure I am not the only one who often will take the affordability over a slight advantage in performance.

Pros and Cons

I found very few things to hate on the Rokstad Tauron tripod. It was comfortable and easy to operate, and the controls were intuitive and easy to figure out. The product is well-built giving great stability for either observation optics or firearms. All the control surfaces have textured grip, and the sticky rubber grip areas make short work of extending the legs.

If I had to change something about this tripod, it would probably be the following; I’d love to put it on a diet. It’s not like a boat anchor or anything, but it could be lighter. That could be said for most comparable tripods as well, so keep that in mind. I’d also like it if they vented the legs, the air pressure built when extending or collapsing the legs does create some resistance that could be neutralized by venting the interior of the legs.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, — Here you can see the extended leg-locks that allows a hard stop for each leg

Also, I really like the dual clamp on the ball head, but I wish it had a lever to tension the clamp instead of a thumbscrew. Thumbscrews are a little less tactile for tensioning such a clamp, especially in the cold. And lastly, the tripod came with a very handy and well made carry bag, complete with a shoulder strap and such. Unfortunately they made the bag too small to use with the ball head installed, which is a massive drawback. I will likely never use the bag now, as I’m not likely ever going to be removing the ball head while transporting the Tauron.

Final Thoughts

Overall I think the Tauron is a great little tripod, meaning I think most folks out there would at minimum find it adequate if not better. If you are new to carbon fiber shooting tripods, I think this will work great for you. And if you have a collection of them as I do, this will fit in to it just fine.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, remington 700, .260 remington, us optics, — here you can see CBM Junior’s rifle mounted in the tripod via the pic rail up front

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod gives great quality and features at a price well below much of the competition. Like it or not, the price is likely due to its overseas construction. If you are looking for a great little tripod to put in your shooting gear, this one is worth looking at.

-CBM

Testing the Olight Ark Pro Lite Flashlight

November 15, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewark, ark pro, flashlight, Laser, LED, light, olightcoldboremiracle

Intro

Flashlight technology continues to improve, LED technology and batteries made from lithium and various electrode types have greatly improved many product lines. The days of oversized lights running on alkaline cells are long gone, replaced by ever smaller and brighter options. Today we are looking at one of those products, the Olight Ark Pro Lite flashlight. The Ark pro is a very compact multi-purpose light with various features making it very handy for a daily use tool. With rechargeable battery that comes with multiple charging options, and shift-on-the-fly controls giving the user a focused beam, a flooding beam, and even a UV option. Additionally there is a green laser pointer built into the unit. All his in a handsome little light you can have delivered on your Amazon Prime account for $100.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, charging port — here you can see the USB-C charging port open, as well as the coltrol panel

Unboxing the Ark Pro Flashlight

As I opened the Olight Ark Pro, it was a little reminiscent of Apple products. Nice packaging with intuitive directions built-in as the packaging opened further. As is typical with Lithium powered products, there are various warning stickers on the product. As well as others that indicate operational features. A charging cable is also included that uses the typical Olight magnet affixed charging port. As well as a card listing the various models of Ark Pro and the functions of the controls and how you can customize them.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, — the laser pointer located centrally

The light itself feels very robust, its heavier than I anticipated which often gives the feeling of added value. The controls are very simple, and tactile with clicks and smooth movements. I hate to bring it back to Apple product’s but it almost feels similar to the older ipod’s before touch screens were incorporated.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, gun belt, safariland, holster, — the Olight Ark Pro fits nicely on a gun belt without cluttering things up too much between my **Safariland holster** and **CRKT Knife**

Olight Ark Pro Features

The solid construction of the Ark Pro gives a strong feeling of rugged quality. The construction also includes a strong dual belt-clip for carrying the light a variety of ways. And the compact slender size makes it easy to carry all the time, much like a pocket knife. And the dual-charging options give you a variety of choices to keep it powered up. And the magnet base that attaches one of the two charging methods also doubles as a hands-free mounting option.

Adjusting the brightness is done by holding down the power button. The Ark Pro cycles through different brightness levels until the button is released.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, mechanic, engine, — as one who frequents the underside of automotive hoods, I find the Ark Pro very handy for quick and easy lighting. Its magnetic base holds it tightly against the hood of vehicles

This light would be a great tool for maintenance and auto technicians, its quick operation and go-everywhere size is great for small places. The Ark Pro includes both a flood-style LED light, and a sharper spot-style LED light. And the UV light is great for identifying leaking systems like coolant or refrigerant dyes. And the laser pointer would also come in handy for pointing out locations to others without needing to get hands-on.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, flood, spot, — showing the two different LED’s emittance, above is the flood light, and below is the spot light. Both seen in pure darkness approximately 10 feet from wall

Real Use

This is not necessarily a light to take the place of a high lumen light you might need in a defensive situation. Though it is way better than no flashlight, it is more useful at distances inside 15-20 feet. On its highest setting it can be useful a bit further. Its comfortable to carry, making it easy to have with you anytime and anywhere.

It is fantastic during camping trips, easily keeping small areas lit. As well as intense light in small areas. It would be a great tool to keep on a tool or gun-belt, as a general all-purpose flashlight.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, EDC, EDC Dump, shadow systems, dr920, ruko, — the Ark Pro fits in perfectly with other EDC items like my **Shadow Systems DR920**

I’ve heard plenty of community lore about Olight products. Often what I hear is negative, but this is my first experience with any of their products. So I can only comment on what I have experience with. I have used other branded lights from popular manufacturers, and up to this point I’ve never had any issues with any of them. I look forward to keeping this Olight Ark Pro in my daily use to see how it stands up against its competition.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, belt, gun belt, — the Ark Pro Lite fits perfectly onto a gun-belt

Conclusion

I think the Olight Ark Pro will fill a great spot in my tool collection. Whether it be working on my car in the driveway, or searching for blood in the dark forest as the sun sets. It has a great set of features, and the simple operation make it a slam dunk for a general purpose flashlight. You can order yours direct through your Amazon account here.

-CBM

Nightstick TCM-10-GL Laser Weapon Light

November 14, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewccw, nightstick, pistol light, tcm-10-gl, weapon light, weaponlightcoldboremiracle

Preface

Sometimes you can’t get enough of some things, good weapon lights are definitely one of those. And today I am bringing you another weapon light option, this one also incorporates a green aiming laser. The Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a pistol mounted 650 lumen weapon light that runs on a single CR123 battery. This compact unit is optimal for mounting to your CCW pistol due to its small size and narrow footprint. Let’s get into the beam of this product and see if its worth the price.

the TCM-10-GL has been at home on my **Ruger RXM** for several months now

Nightstick Lighting

I’ve gotten other Nightstick Lighting products before, and you can read about them here. The Texas based company bring a wide variety of lighting products, often at a great price when compared to other brands.

Part of the reason Nightstick products are more affordable I expect, is because of the old made in China sticker on the box. But despite some folks disliking that, there are definitely some advantages to the brand worth looking at. Nightstick seems to incorporate more modern controls on their products, with digital control buttons and advanced features. They also seem to fit into the places of more popular brands, with compatibility into holsters and such.

A limited lifetime warranty is included with this product, which covers defects on things like the housing, lenses and LED’s. Other parts like batteries, control buttons and other electrical components are covered for a period of two years by the warranty.

Unboxing the Nightstick TCM-10-GL

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light,

Specifications

High Lumens: 650
High Beam Distance (m): 136
High Candela: 4,612
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-X7 Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2.0
Strobe: Yes
Laser Color: Green
Switch Function: Momentary or constant-on
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 1
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, five modular rail inserts, 2 spare Allen screws, 1.5mm Allen wrench, (1) CR123 battery
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

Length: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
Width: 1.1 in (30 mm)
Depth: 1.6 in (42 mm)
Weight: 2.5 oz (70 g)

Mounting and Shooting with the TCM-10-GL

Like other Nightstick weapon lights, the TCM-10 comes with a selection of indexable recoil lugs to engage a variety of host weapons. These recoil lugs engage the picatinny rail under the muzzle of your handgun, and the ability to interchange them for proper alignment is great. Not only is it nice to be able to change them, but the manner in which they are affixed by screws is also very nice. The process allows you to align the weapon light to best fit your taste and holster selection.

Shooting is much more comfortable with my **Safariland Liberator** ear protection

The thumbwheel allows you to use fingers to attach the light, but you will likely need a small coin or screwdriver to tighten the clamp that holds the light to the pistol. Once attached, you can adjust the laser aim to co-witness with other sights or in my case with the Vortex Defender red dot. The laser aim point is adjusted using windage and elevation screws on the housing.

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, Ruger, Ruger RXM, RXM, 9mm, — adjusting the laser aimpoint after installing the TCM-10-GL on the **Ruger RXM pistol**

With the light mounted and laser zeroed, it was time to head to the range. The added weight of a weapon light up front does help with keeping muzzle’s down, but the added light and laser aiming aid would be be even more valuable.

here you can see the red dot of the **Defender** and the green dot of the laser stacked on the aimpoint, nicely illuminated by the 650 Lumen TCM-10

Controls

Using just the two control button on the TCM-10, you can change up the operation. You can select one of three options, light only, laser only, and light and laser together. Users can also lockout the light, by holding both buttons down for three seconds. This will put the unit in battery lockout mode until you undo it.

the textured buttons sit on either side of the trigger guard

I really like the controls on these Nightstick weapon lights. The momentary buttons give better control than even some of the more popular units from more well known manufacturers. If momentary operation is desired, you simply push and hold one of the buttons, and when you release it the unit shuts off. But if you are anticipating a longer need for light, you can tap the button and it will stay on until shut off by the user.

Quality

Like other Nightstick weapon lights I’ve used, the TCM-10-GL is well made. Almost all construction is of metal, save for the rubberized buttons. Quality fasteners with Allen screws are far superior to older designs. And the clamp is far better than many of the camming style clamps typically used by lower cost weapon light units.

Bright white light from the LED makes for a very nice view, and the high intensity laser is very sharp. The two beams together make a fantastic combination for engaging shots in low light.

Value

Nightstick’s TCM-10-GL is more affordable than some of the more popular branded items like the TLR-8. I have both and like them both, but if money was dictating my purchase, the Nightstick would win at roughly 50$ less. There are even cheaper units available from other brands, but their reputation is far from stellar.

Final Thoughts

Once again, I feel that the Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a fantastic option for a more affordable light laser combo for your CCW. Its compact size will fit into most CCW holster options, and is less likely to snag with its soft edges. It gives great lighting and targeting with its beams, and the quality controls give you customization. All this with common battery usage, and deliverable next day with your Amazon account. All this sounds like a win to me, and I look forward to piercing the dark with this light into the future. I will update this in the future as more experience with the product develops.

-CBM

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, CZ, CZ P10, p10s, CZ P10S, — the TCM-10-GL was also a perfect fit for the CZ P10S

Picking the Right Rifle Twist Rate and Barrel Length

November 9, 2025blogbarrel legth, choosing a barel, selecting barrel length, twist ratecoldboremiracle

Preface

If you find yourself rebarreling a rifle, be it as an upgrade or because it has been worn out, you might be asking yourself a few questions. Today we are going to discuss how to pick the right barrel length and twist rate. Barrel length has a lot to do with performance, and the twist rate inside dictates the bullets you can shoot through it. In our discussion today I hope to illuminate how these topics should be approached and evaluated.

Ruger American Gen 2, Maven Optics, — Modern rifles are trending towards faster twist rates and barrel lengths to match. **This Ruger American gen 2 rifle** is paired additionally with a **Banish Suppressor** and **Maven riflescope**

Barrel Length

The length of your barrel has a great deal to do with velocity. Typically, longer barrels produce higher velocities all else being equal. A 308 Winchester loaded with 165 grain bullets would likely have a muzzle velocity around 2800 FPS. When you look at test data they usually post the barrel length they used to get that velocity (often a 24-26 inch). So if you have an eighteen-inch barrel on your 308, you are likely going to get a much slower muzzle velocity when using the same 165 grain load.

Various studies have been done showing velocity reductions as barrels are cut down. With most cartridges it seems the drop in velocities become greater past a certain length. For example, cutting from 26 to 24-inch you may only lose 25-50 FPS. But cutting a 20 down to 16-inches, the loss will be much greater.

mant modern bullets require faster twists than previously used, like these **Hornady 180 gr 7 PRC**

This is important when making your decision, as velocity can be important depending on the purpose of your rifle. For example if you are doing long-range target shooting, you might want as much velocity as possible. While if you are assembling a short-range hunting rifle, it might be more important to have a compact rifle even at the cost of some velocity.

Burning Powder

Big magnum cartridges use a lot of powder, and the barrel length is used to allow all that powder to be burned. This is also why big cartridges use slower burning powder, so it is still burning at the end of the barrel. This keeps the bullet accelerating, whereas if the powder burns up too fast, it can be spent before the bullet leaves the muzzle.

This 20-inch **LWRC REPR** barrel allows better combustion of powder than a 16-inch version would

Ideally you’d want a long enough barrel to allow all the powder to be used to accelerate your bullet. But there are some considerations to keep in mind, sometimes long barrels are cumbersome. And its more common these days for folks to compromise between a long barrel and one that gives enough velocity without being unwieldly.

Twist Rate

In the same fashion, barrel twist is important to evaluate when deciding on your next barrel. And again for the same reasons. If you goal is shooting long-range, you will probably want to shoot high ballistic coefficient (BC) bullets that require faster barrel twist rates. Whereas if you are rebarreling your favorite varmint rifle, a slower twist rate might be optimal for the bullets you will be shooting.

antelope, pronghorn, desert tech, srs m2, us optics, — Faster moving cartridges typically use slower twists, but stepping them up to a faster twist will allow you to shoot bigger bullets faster. My **Desert Tech SRS M2** uses a variety of barrels and calibers

If you are of a certain age, you might have played with the ancient toy called a top. Often shaped similar to a bullet, you spin the top and it would stand up and spin until it slowed enough to topple over. You can imagine if a top was taller, shaped like an inverted old Coke bottle, it would be much harder to get it to spin fast enough to stay standing.

Continue Reading Here

two bullets of identical weights, but one requires a much faster twist to stabilize

Picking the Right Bullet Weight for Long-range Shooting

November 5, 2025blogbullet, bullet selection, ELR, long-rangcoldboremiracle

Introduction

So you’ve decided to get into long-range shooting have you? Whether you plan on pushing the limits of your current rifle, or plotting to get another, today’s subject is quite relevant. You’d be surprised at how much difference the right bullet can make. And today we are going to discuss how picking the right bullet for long-range shooting can pay off big time in this game.

Ballistic Performance

The very shape of a bullet is designed to be aerodynamic, cutting through the air with as little resistance as possible. Much like the fairing on a motorcycle or the front of your car, they are designed to reduce drag so they can retain energy and avoid deflection.

bullets, round nose. vld, eld, lathe turned, solid bullet, long-range — modern bullets like this lathe turned solid copper bullet (right) perform much better than older designs

Ballisticians have come up with a mathematical formula to assign a score to a bullet’s ability to cheat this drag and deflection. This score is called a ballistic coefficient, there are a few different models for this numerical grade, but mainly folks use either the G1 or G7 drag models. That may be deeper than you wish to look, so to keep it simple lets just stick to the G7 as it seems most popular.

A ballistic coefficient (BC) is shown as a decimal, and an easy way to understand it is that a 1.00 BC is significantly better than a .500 BC. And the .500 BC is still better than a .300 BC. Most bullet manufacturers produce a BC for each bullet they manufacture. And for the most part you can use the manufacturer’s BC with confidence to calculate and theorize a trajectory. Many offer a stepped BC for different velocity ranges.

anechoic anechox 35L suppressor, desert tech srs m2, Apex Optics Rival — one of my favorite long-range rifles, the **Desert Tech SRS M2**. Seen here with the **Apex Optics Rival scope**, and the **Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor**

Perfect Proportions

It would appear, based on the design of most high performance bullets that there seems to be a set of perfect proportions to them. You can put high BC bullets of various calibers together, and you’ll start to see a pattern. They are typically long, and have slender points with uniform tips, and almost always a boat-tail at the back.

Whether you are shooting a .223 or a 300 Winchester there is a selection of bullets out there with higher performance. The question is; Can you shoot them?

Stabilizing Bullets

One of the greatest development in firearms has been the rifling of the barrel. The grooves cut into a barrel are done so with a specified twist rate, the purpose is to cause the bullet to spin as it exits the muzzle. Barrel twists are depicted in a “one rotation in XX inches”, and written like 1:12, meaning one rotation in 12 inches of barrel travel. Spinning bullets stay far more stable than non-spinning ones. Much like a football, when you throw it right it will fly much farther and land closer to you point of aim. But when thrown without the characteristic stabilizing spin, it is bound to fly more unexpectedly.

PFI, pride fowler industries, evolution, rifle scope, bergara b-14, hmr — Testing various bullets and loads in this **Bergara rifle** identified the best performer

High BC bullets as I mentioned are usually longer than a typical for caliber bullet. For example; A popular 30-06 Springfield bullet might weigh-in between 165 and 180 grains. But you could also load the same cartridge with something like a Berger 210 grain VLD bullet that has a much higher BC than your typical 30-06 bullets.

Most 165 to 180 grain bullets on the market today would shoot acceptably well from a barrel with a twist between 1:12 and 1:10. But the longer 210 grain bullet I mentioned needs at least a 1:10 twist to stabilize, and might do even better in a 1:9 twist barrel.

So How do I Pick a Bullet Already?

You may have figured it out already, but if you know or can figure out the twist of your rifle’s barrel, you can then evaluate the bullets that will best stabilize through it. Once you have that figured out, you can decide which one might give the best velocity.

Speed isn’t everything though. If you start out two bullets at the same speed and measure the speed again 500 yards downrange, the one with the higher BC will be faster. So the only thing better than a higher BC bullet is a high BC bullet going even faster.

Two very similar **Hornady bullets** with differing performance profiles

The secret: picking a bullet that will stabilize in your barrel twist, has the highest BC, and allows you to get the best velocity from your given chambering. And if you still aren’t seeing the performance you desire either on paper or on range, you might need to step up to a bigger cartridges, or a faster twist for better bullets.

Continue Reading Here

remington 700, 25-06, 25-06 remington, two vets tripod, cole tac, carbon fiber, arken optics, epl-4 — This rifle performs much better at longer distances because of superior bullet selection, you can read more about it here.

A Stalk to Die for

October 26, 2025huntingDeer, deer hunting, howa, howa mini, mule deercoldboremiracle

Preface

Spot and stalk Mule deer hunting is at the top of many hunters list of to-do’s. Living at the forefront of the Wasatch range of the Rocky Mountains, I often get to practice this style of hunting. The romantic allure of outsmarting one of these bucks is a draw for sure. Today I bring you a story of a stalk to die for, perhaps one of my best executed spot and stalks. And it was sealed with blood and sweat, instead of the more common sweat and disappointment. To add even more value to this hunt, my sweet tiny wife was along to run the trigger for this hunt. And it served as the crown jewel to a hunting season littered with success. Our kids had already shot three deer this week, and we had packed out every one of them. So as the sun began to rise yesterday, I could still feel every pound and mile in my sore legs and feet.

deer hunting, mule deer, — Santiago packing out part of his buck earlier this week. Hiding under all that mess is his **Browning X-Bolt 2** and suppressed by the **Banish Backcountry can**

Sunrise

It was the morning of the seventh day of our Utah Mule deer general season. Our success this year had been above average, as I had yet to see anyone else harvest a buck on the same mountain we hunted. Due to an unanticipated change in plans, instead of watching the sunrise from our typical ridge-top spot at 8500 feet above sea level we started at the bottom of our valley.

From the foothills where I grew up hiking and camping as a kid, we watched the red morning light creep across the frosted landscape. My wife, our youngest and I peered through glass looking for deer. My expectations were low, as several days of prior scouting hadn’t turned up anything worth a second look, at least not down here, but things were about to change.

From roughly a mile and a half away, I picked out a couple does feeding on an open grassy area. As I broadened my search area around them, I picked out another deer that was instantly identified by his boney headwear. From that distance I wasn’t sure of an actual count on points, I just knew he would certainly do.

mule deer, deer hunting, — our buck, seen through the **Nikon Monarch 82mm Fieldscope** from nearly two miles away

A Plan

For several hours, and moving several times to relocate him, we watched this buck move. He was the only buck we’d seen this morning, and I didn’t want him to get away. We followed him across several faces, until it seemed he was ready to bed down. He had been closely following the two does, perhaps in some pre-rut activity based on his body language. They finally slowed down, and fed in an open area in a small bowl. I knew why they’d chosen that spot, it was rugged and thick enough to provide ample security, and far enough away from people to avoid contact. Unless of course they were being watched through my spotting scope off in the distance.

I knew the way to get to that bowl, and my plan was to hike in from the north. It would be about a mile and a half, gaining a couple thousand feet along the way. So we stuffed our packs accordingly, removing everything we didn’t need, and with enough snacks to wait them out through the afternoon.

The three of us carried our packs, and I carried my wife’s rifle in my Eberlestock Just One pack for comfort. Her rifle is a Howa Mini chambered in 6 ARC, she has done very well with this rifle in the past. Today we would lean hard on the accuracy of the little ARC loaded with Hornady 105 grain BTHP match bullets.

hunting, deer hunting, — a turkey feather cunning placed as we climbed

The Approach

A few hours (and snacks) later, we had gained enough elevation to get into the bowl where the deer hid. To my great relief, the wind was moving perfect for our plan. It came from the side where the deer were expected to lay, and at a fairly constant 5-10 mph it blew in our faces. We’d came in high, as I’d planned to get a good look of the area. Over the course of another half-hour, we quietly snuck deeper into the bowl. Eventually finding the perfect hideout; a large rock structure with a grassy depression where we could build a hide and wait them out. Our position put us downwind, and above the suspected bedding area about two-hundred yards away.

For the next few hours we watched, and rested. Peering over the edge of our towering hide, we’d occasionally see a doe or two feeding about in the thick and thorny bottom.

Weather was inbound, and the 5-10 mph wind was increasing. The overcast skies looked to darken, and potentially bring rain. I felt an urgency building, despite having fought off the desire to bust in their bedroom guns-a-blazin’. So we changed our plan a bit, I sent Santiago our youngest on a mission. To circle around the bowl and get just close enough for the deer to notice him, which they certainly would. Meanwhile his mom and I would be watching from above.

Full-Circle

With my wife in position, she prepared for a shot that was coming. Finding the most steady position, resting the rifle over the rock’s edge. Santiago quickly reached the spot where we had planned, which turned out to be much closer than I’d thought to the deer’s beds. There he was instructed to chill, knowing full well that this kid would be loud enough that the deer would quickly get nervous.

This isn’t the first deer this little Howa Mini has taken

I could feel tension building, was the buck even in there? Had he slipped out already? Or could this possibly work out to be the most perfect stalk we’d ever executed? It was time to find out.

We watched in horror, as instead of sneaking out, three deer bounded from the thicket. But in the classic Mule deer practice, they stopped after only a few hops to look back at the twelve year old threat they had perceived. Mrs. Coldboremiracle was way ahead of them, spotting their very first movements and calling it out. And now our target stood there, just his head, neck and shoulders in view. With his haunches towards us, most of his back was slightly obscured by brush. One more hop was all he needed to disappear and live another day, but the ARC was about to bark.

Success

The shot broke, and the 105 grain bullet was on its way across the 250 or so yards to its target. It struck him at the back of his ribcage, with a heading directly for his heart. As it passed behind the ribs, it travelled under the spine disconnecting large plumbing arteries along the way. Eventually it reached the lungs, imparting what energy was left there.

The handsome buck did a bit of a stagger upon impact, and a split second later I saw him roll his head and topple. Then all I saw was feet-antlers-feet-antlers as he disappeared down a very steep and thick brush covered hill.

We hugged with excitement as the last eight hours culminated to this moment. Everything had worked out as though perfectly planned. We descended to meet Santiago, where all three of us moved in to find the buck. With such a high in the torso impact, there was less blood than I’d anticipated. But the disturbed ground where he tumbled was as obvious as blood. We approached the downed buck with huge smiles and excitement, as we had worked so much to reach this point.

A Fitting End

For the first time we got a good look at his antlers, he was a legit 4 by 5 with nice eye guards if you are an eyeguard kind of guy. We couldn’t have been more happy with him. We set him more comfortably to admire him, and revered his handsome looks. All three of us were incredibly grateful, and we quietly acknowledged the blessing we had just been given.

her rifle uses a **US Optics** riflescope and Maxim **Suppressor**

It was still half a mile back to a location were we could extricate him, so I ended up dragging him through rocks, brush and eventually yellow dry June grass. As the three of us maxed out on exhaustion, and hunger, it was a perfect fitting end to a week of the same. Seeing the buck in the bed of the truck gave amazing satisfaction, something I couldn’t have imagined eight hours earlier miles away.

The satisfaction only grows now, as he hangs outside cooling in the cold October night. He and the other deer will become tasty steaks, burgers, sausage and other delicious meals to feed our family over the next year. Though my legs still ache, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to do it again. And together with family makes it all the more valuable.