Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Shooting rests, sticks, etc- who uses them

Good question... Its a trigger thing. Right now it is in the trailer in the barn or I'd take a look.

Color me somewhat embarrassed...

Last year I used a Bog pod tripod with their gun cradle. This year was Stoney Point Bipod. Given the choice I prefer sitting, and the Bog pod with the gun cradle vs. Standing with the bipod.

MODEL 25 BIPOD 12"-25" HINGED
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00053S25

If I think Ill be watching a canyon or glassing Ive used a harris bi-pod similar this bi-pod and a sling for decades on my 340wby and sako 375 H&H
it folds up and provides good support when making a sitting shot, and its a quick attach accessory if you choose to put it away in a backpack,
but if Im hunting the timber I generally use my 35 whelen rem, slide action, or SAKO 375 H&H carbine with only a sling, shots in timber generally are either very close range shot off hand or allow you to use a tree branch/trunk for support to steady the shot.
Id say 90% of the elk I see shot are at under 250 yards in either case and in timber probably under 120 yards max with several at much closer , almost archery ranges

I've never had the tall grass problem that I understand is common in africa.
I've always used either a military, CW or a Ching Sling as a shooting aid. If I need more, I use my day pack. E

I have a Harris bipod that I carry on my pack. However I can only remember two elk killed using the bipod attached. Most have been killed laying down using my pack or a ground feature as a rest. I do sometimes use a very "loose" sling to provide a slight amount of tension on my left elbow.

About as many ideas on the subject as there are hunters it would seem. Think I am going to try to come up with something that is light and serves as a walking stick and then a rest for the occasion where there is nothing else handy and kneeling or prone is not suitable (weeds, grass, terrain, etc). I have a Harris, but it's short and I can just use my pack anywhere I can use the Harris. Definitely not going to attach anything to the rifle. Just don't want to. I would like the solution to be that I improve my offhand to the point where I can shoot comfortably out a few hundred yds. Reality is I'm not there right now.

Modified Bi-Fur Pod that is mostly used for predator hunting, but it works for anytime one would want light hiking stick(s), a staff, bi-pod, gun rest, etc.


https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth...55329/Re_Modified_Bi_Fur_Pod#Post4055329

My latest version of Varmint Al�s �Bi-Fur Pod�. I put a bit more thought into this one and it has turned out to be my best to date.


Deployed as Bi-Pod. The unit is quickly and easily deployed as a bi-pod.


Folded Hiking Position This shows the unit folded and locked down into the short hiking position. It is very solid as if one piece.


Threaded Foot Inserts Instead of using nails. I decided to install brass inserts to install threaded feet.


Open Full Length Staff. This shows the Modified Bi-Fur Pod in the open full length hiking staff mode.


Upper Hand Loop. The strap stud and Great Northern rubber strap quickly converts to a hand loop when used as a staff.


Longer rod mounts for Foxpro and Mojo. The Great Northern Quiver Straps I used doubles to securely carry longer length mounting rods for my Foxpro and Mojo.
[img]http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4061/4569347078_eea209fa3b.jpg[/img]

Swivel Mount Studs. I installed swivel studs which allows me to use either cordage or a standard sling from rifle for quick carry options.
[img]http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4018/4568702699_70a566f747.jpg[/img]

Bushings, Swivel Studs, and Strap Studs. The design allows me to quickly convert the unit into two individual hiking staffs to use when packing out from the hills. I can even thread extensions into the bottom threaded inserts to lengthen the poles for going downhill.
[img]http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3355/4569333830_151e957b8a.jpg[/img]

This homemade Bi-Fur Pod has proven to be an outstanding multi-use tool having more value to me than any of the store bought versions I've used.
[img]http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4090/5060328519_980825bcdf.jpg[/img]

Best

+1 for the Snipe Pod. Light, easy on/easy off, adjustable. I put the adapters on several diferent rifles and carry the sicks as needed.

Gary, what does it weigh?

I don't bother with shooting sticks or bipod when hunting elk. The shots are usually not that long and there's always a tree or rock or some kind of rest available to steady my rifle.

I usually carry a set of shooting sticks when hunting antelope and ocasionally I actually use them. More often though I shoot in the prone position using my backpack as a rest and wrapping the sling around my arm. However, this year where I hunted antelope there was lots of tall grass and the shots were longer than I prefer. The guys that were hunting with me all had bipods on their rifles and I was at a significant disadvantage. After that hunt I decided that I need a dedicated antelope rifle, smaller caliber than my 30-06 and with a bipod. I think Santa has gotten the message.

KC

I've heard it said, by some famous dead guy, that while
hunting , you should spend half of your time looking for game,
and the other half looking for something to rest your rifle on.

Rabbitdog

or pickup window sill. One our famous locals staged a photo with showing him in the woods sitting on a stump aiming through a pickup door they had packed out into the woods. It was titled something "Redneck Deer Blind."

I don't use sticks when hunting Elk but DO use them when hunting Antelope, Caribou and Mule Deer (open country). I've made a few sets but the Stoney Point models are tough to beat. I don't care for any gun-mounted bipods, etc...

It weighs 15-oz made from a strong hardwood with a sealed coat of Acraglas. There is room to reduce weight further by using a lighter wood and forgoing the bushings and inserts. In comparison, my aluminum Stoney Point monopod shooting stick weighs 12-oz, and my favorite homemade 6' "scout" staff made from spruce weighs 1-lb 13-oz.

When I predator hunt solo, the rifle sits on the sticks ready to shoot while I work the calls and hand light. It's a very important piece of gear for me in that context. Outside of this, I always find a need for some sort of staff, walking stick, or hiking staffs. In this later context, I've found it works well to cover those needs while also doubling duty to work well as a rifle holder, bi-pod, and shooting stick. Even if I only use it as a walking aid, it has helped me to ford troublesome creeks while being easy to have on hand.

Best

I use a Primos Trigger stick when hunting. I like to use it as a walking stick when getting in the steep stuff. The trigger stick is really handy as it can be adjusted quickly if you bust something out of the brush.

In heavy wooded areas no, But in any kind of open area YES, Stoney Point for me. when i am Elk hunting out west, i wouldn't be without a set.

Kevin

Gary--Thanks. 15-oz isn't too bad. Dry, straight-grained spruce might be a good material for one. And instead of metal bushings, to save weight, the bored holes could be either sleeved w/ thin-wall fiberglass tubing or just treated w/ penetrating epoxy, to keep them from loosening up prematurely.

No different than how scouts make a traditional walking staff, there are a bazillion ways to go about it to best fit personal needs. I'm a big fan of crafting my own gear and I'm a big fan of simple gear that is useful when multi-tasking.

If I had input at inventing a factory made aluminum or carbon unit to meet my needs:

I'd want the sections to go together to make a 1-pc full length hiking staff that is strong. I'd want the sections to break down to make two individual hiking sticks or a short hiking staff that are strong. I'd want these two pieces to couple to make a shooting bi-pod for sitting or kneeling, and I'd want it to further break down to make a shorter three legged base to use as a tri-pod for an UL spotter. I've yet to see a factory product designed to cover this much ground. My homemade rig covers all this ground except for the tri-pod.

Best

Adding a length of lightweight channel could provide a 3rd leg, like the Polecats. Maybe could double as a tripod for spotter or camera.

I am a fan of the Stoney Point tripods.