The 2026 Pulsar ProStaff Retreat began under cloudy skies at Sellmark Ranch in Teague, Texas, on Friday, October 2.
Rain had passed through that morning, and conditions remained overcast as the ProStaff arrived. It didn’t change the plan for the weekend.
Like most large working ranches in Texas, Sellmark Ranch has feral hogs that need to be culled. For the nine Pulsar ProStaff members attending the retreat, that meant two nights of hunting hogs and predators with Pulsar thermal optics.
Friday Night at Sellmark Ranch
Friday afternoon began with room assignments and range time. ProStaff members confirmed zero on their own rifles while Sellmark staff sighted in the ranch guns. After dinner, the group headed to their stands at 6 p.m. for the first hunt of the weekend.
By the 11 p.m. pickup, the hunters had taken eight hogs, two coyotes and one bobcat.
That put the first-night total at 11 animals.
Saturday: Products, Clay Optics and a Shooting Competition
Saturday began with breakfast and two presentations. Ryan Stevenson discussed online communication, followed by Kevin Reese with a presentation on Pulsar's 2026 products.
The ProStaff then split into teams for a build-your-own-optic exercise. Each team used clay to create an optic concept and later presented its design to the group. It gave the participants a chance to think about product design from the other side of the process before the day's activities moved back to the range.
At 1 p.m., all nine ProStaff members took part in a timed shooting competition at 100 yards.
The course consisted of eight targets and eight shots, with one shot allowed per target. Shooters were ranked first by number of hits and then by elapsed time.
Mitchell Graf won the competition with seven hits out of eight in 16.9 seconds.
David Hartzler finished second with six hits in 19.8 seconds. Tucker Shroyer took third with six hits in 23.8 seconds. William Rouse and Craig Evans also recorded six hits, making time the deciding factor for second through fifth place.
Back to the Hunt
After the competition and dinner, the ProStaff headed back to the stands for their second night of hunting.
Saturday produced another 11 animals: seven hogs, one coyote and three raccoons.
By the end of the retreat, the group had harvested 22 animals in two nights: 15 hogs, three coyotes, three raccoons and one bobcat.
The hunts also gave the ProStaff extended time behind current Pulsar products under actual field conditions. Range use can establish zero and give shooters time to get familiar with an optic, but several hours in a hunting stand give you a different kind of experience. The ProStaff spent both nights scanning, identifying animals, and using the equipment in the conditions it was designed for.
You know how you try out that fancy optic your buddy has, and suddenly the perfectly good one on your own rifle doesn’t seem quite as impressive anymore? Well, that was part of the idea.
The ProStaff weren’t just being shown products in a presentation. They used them on the range, took them into the field, and compared notes with one another to bring those firsthand impressions directly back to the Sellmark team.
Heading Home
The retreat concluded Sunday morning with breakfast and a closing meeting.
Competition results were announced, with Graf taking first place, Hartzler second and Shroyer third. Afterward, the ProStaff packed their equipment and began heading home.
Over three days, the group completed two nights of thermal hunting, spent time with current and upcoming Pulsar products, competed on the range and took part in product discussions with the Sellmark team.
And for Sellmark Ranch, there were 22 fewer hogs and predators to worry about.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was the 2026 Pulsar ProStaff Retreat held?
The 2026 Pulsar ProStaff Retreat was held October 2-4, 2026, at Sellmark Ranch in Teague, Texas.
What did the Pulsar ProStaff do during the retreat?
The retreat included two nights of thermal hunting, range time, a timed 100-yard shooting competition, presentations on online communication and 2026 Pulsar products, and a build-your-own-optic exercise.
How many animals were harvested during the retreat?
The group harvested 22 animals over two nights: 15 hogs, three coyotes, three raccoons and one bobcat.
Who won the 2026 Pulsar ProStaff shooting competition?
Mitchell Graf won with seven hits out of eight in 16.9 seconds. David Hartzler finished second, and Tucker Shroyer finished third.
Why did the ProStaff use Pulsar products during the retreat?
The retreat gave ProStaff members extended hands-on time with Pulsar products on the range and during nighttime hunting. That gave them a chance to compare experiences and provide firsthand feedback to the Sellmark team.