Shooting sticks

[Mule88]

Ive never used shooting sticks before but thought about trying them in the field. Ive seen the monopod, bi pod and tripod designs. Does anyone have any experience in any of these designs and your thoughts. This will mainly be used for handgun hunting. Thanx in advance.

 

[Smith357]

I have used shooting sticks and even make a few sets myself. They work well and you will like them, the downside is it's just one more thing you have to carry with you. I don't carry them anymore because in southern Ohio where I hunt the most, I can get the same support from a rock, a tree, or the ground.

 

[RYNO]

I use the Primos trigger stick bipod. They work really slick. I've only used for target shooting with the revolver so far but they are very handy for the rifle also.

 

[fat tom]

Steady Stix.
f.t.

 

[LazyKB]

Stoney Point Polecats. I feel very solid with these from a sitting position. Haven't tried them with a hand gun. I have used the taller tripods as well. They work, but I wouldn't want to have to carry them.

 

[Pete99004]

I use a retractable mono-pod as a walking stick and then to support my still or movie cameras and it works well for that - have not used it for rifles or handguns yet but plan on giving it a try.


Pete

 

[ACP230]

I think they originated in Africa where someone besides the hunter/shooter probably carried them.
I don't understand the appeal.
My rifle, binocs, hunting knife, etc are enough for me to carry deer hunting.

I don't think they'd help me hit grouse either. :>)

 

[mike_1100]

If my 10 year old draws for a juniors only elk tag, you can bet I'll be carrying a set of shooting sticks for him as I play the role of guide. I'll also do the same if my wife draws a tag. For smaller stature people that are not up to speed on finding an impromptu dead rest I think they are great.

 

[msinc]

Definately spend some time with a monopod. I started out using one for predator calling. I use a night vision scope on a 10-22 magnum. With a heavy barrel the gun is too much to hold up and scan for an animal approaching without something. I like the monopod because it gives you more freedom to move the gun around and rotate it if you have to. Moving around and pivoting is easier if you do it on one point. Tripod shooting sticks are for sure more stable and will help you make a longer shot but the freedom of movement you get with a monopod is alot more usable and versatile.

 

[David LaPell]

I made my own set a few years back out of 5/8 inch wooden dowels and then I wrapped the top end in cloth so the gun doesn't get scratched up. I used them before in black powder matches and have used them with handguns. If all I end up hunting with this year is a handgun there is a spot where I have nothing to really rest the gun on and they work pretty good there.

 

[mball]

I like these. Good quality.
Purdy Gear

 

[jlrhiner]

After the strokes, I couldn't hold up a rifle. I started using the Primos Trigger Stik and love it. I can sling the rifle, and use the Trigger Stik as a walking stick. It is a different feel, so practice is in order.

 

[jkc]

Definately spend some time with a monopod. I started out using one for predator calling. I use a night vision scope on a 10-22 magnum. With a heavy barrel the gun is too much to hold up and scan for an animal approaching without something. I like the monopod because it gives you more freedom to move the gun around and rotate it if you have to. Moving around and pivoting is easier if you do it on one point. Tripod shooting sticks are for sure more stable and will help you make a longer shot but the freedom of movement you get with a monopod is alot more usable and versatile.

Good advice. I have monkeyed around (ahem, experimented) with different variations, and settled on replacing the wooden ball at the top of an adjustable-height hiking staff with a shallow "vee" gun rest as the most versatile option. I've also learned the great value of using a hiking staff in steep, treacherous-footing country, as is abundant locally...

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I think they originated in Africa where someone besides the hunter/shooter probably carried them.
I don't understand the appeal.
My rifle, binocs, hunting knife, etc are enough for me to carry deer hunting.

I don't think they'd help me hit grouse either. :>)

I don't know about that. The way I shoot a shot gun a stick might help. Maybe if every time I miss someone would hit me over the head with a stick I would learn to shoot a shot gun. Don

 

[SteveA]

I use them all the time predator hunting with my Ar-15. Just go to the local home/garden store and get tomato stakes. I use a couple of cattle castration rubber bands to hold them together. Can cut the stakes to varying lengths depending on need. Total cost is under three bucks.

 

[brucev]

Ive never used shooting sticks before but thought about trying them in the field. Ive seen the monopod, bi pod and tripod designs. Does anyone have any experience in any of these designs and your thoughts. This will mainly be used for handgun hunting. Thanx in advance.

In hunting one does not always have a benchrest handy. Sometimes one is breathing hard rather than being calm, cool and collected. Sometimes if you are going to take a game animal, one must take a short off hand... with no support available. Having a pair of shooting sticks or even a single walking stick allows one to shoot over high grass, bushes, etc. It is a practice that goes back to the early days of matchlock firearms... on through the days of buffalo hunting on the western plains.

I have used a Harris bi-pod on rifles. It was very useful. With a bit of practice I was able to produce MOA groups firing from prone in the field. From the sitting position my groups were still hardly over 1.5 MOA. This greatly aided getting hits at longer distances in the field. At that time my favorite target was milk jugs filled with frozen water placed in a pasture on top of fire ant mounds. It was an excellent way to learn range estimation, hold over, etc. There is no reason that one could not use a pair of shooting sticks to gain a similar advantage when hunting with a handgun.

 

[Mule88]

Thanx for all the response and good advice! I appreciate it.

 

[DeadAye]

They're even more useful if you hunt down in the bottoms where the quicksand lives

 

[gregintenn]

I make my shooting sticks from two pieces of cane cut to length, and lashed together with a piece of leather. Works great; costs nothing. I made shorter ones for my kids.

 

[venomballistics]

I have used shooting sticks and even make a few sets myself. They work well and you will like them, the downside is it's just one more thing you have to carry with you. I don't carry them anymore because in southern Ohio where I hunt the most, I can get the same support from a rock, a tree, or the ground.

^^^^ this
I made a set and used them like .. twice.
first time out I noticed I was able to make use of a brilliantly located tree and used it instead. Second time out I had to creep up on a hay bail to get a clear shot ... opted to use it instead ..... left the set there after determining the real world seems to be made out of bench rests