shooting sticks or bi-pod

[virgil]

So this will be my first mulie hunt ever this fall, general area in Wyoming. I would like to use shooting sticks or a bi-pod on my rifle. What is everyone's thoughts on this? or will my day pack work for this?

 

[JimP]

shooting sticks work best for sitting or standing shots. A bipod is usually for prone shots, but you can find ones that can be used for sitting but then you might have problems getting them low enough for a prone shot.

 

[Big Chief J]

I carry a monopod so I can shoot from a standing position. My pack helps for prone shots. Sometimes you need to shoot from a standing position because of the vegetation.

 

[taskswap]

If where you're hunting is anything like the zones I'm in in Colorado, I'd always go with something longer (shooting sticks) over a bipod. Most attached bipods are pretty short, and this is hilly, scrubby country. On flat ground there's almost always sage or other brush a couple feet high blocking prone sight lanes. Shooting downhill with a bipod is a pain because it's hard to deflect "up" enough. And shooting uphill can often be unsafe (be sure of target AND beyond...) unless you're lucky with the sight line.

I know they look ridiculous, but this year I picked up the Primos Tripod and I've been hiking with it a lot. I really like it. Their past products weren't strong enough to double as a hiking pole but this one is. I like the quick-change attach to switch between gun rest and bino/spotter mount, and I LOVE the trigger extension.

When I used to use shooting sticks I used to make them with a simple square lash between two nice hiking sticks and they worked just as well for almost nothing. If I didn't have this I'd probably just use that again.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Bi pod connected to my rifle for me. I use the Harris bi pods on all my rifles.

 

[nv-hunter]

I use my pack or my spoting scope tripod

 

[JimP]

Actually if I ever do get lucky and draw a Wyoming deer or antelope tag I'll be packing my Bog-Pod.

I tried the Harris Bi-pod on my coues deer hunt last December and found that depending on the angle of the shot I can not get my eye aligned properly to see through the scope. A problem that I developed since I had cataract surgery. But any shooting position besides prone I am fine with what ever angle that the shot presents.

 

[Slugz]

Bog Pod CLD3s for me..........if I need to shoot prone I drop it on my day pack. In addition, with an attachment I can glass/scope from the Bog Pod.

 

[jtm307]

I use a Harris extendable bi-pod. Most of my shots are in a kneeling position so it works well. It does add some weight to my rifle, which I don't like. You might consider a shooting stick that doubles as a trekking pole.

 

[Hilltop]

Iv'e been hunting Wyoming for 30 years and had a Harris Bi-pod on my rifle from day 1. I have taken most of my animals from a prone position but have occasionally shot sitting with the pods extended to get over grass/brush. I do carry a trigger stick these days for the rare shot where I can't get low but my range is cut in half when not on the pods prone. I would suggest practicing with both and hunting with what you are comfortable with.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'm a little older than most of you (76) and I like to use a walking stick. I have used a Harris trigger stick for a shooting rest and walking stick for many years now. I love it. I have shot lots of animals off hand using it for support. I also have a bipod for sitting or prone shooting.

 

[mallardsx2]

I have 2- 48" survey laths with a 1/4-20 bolt holding them together that I use. They are quick to set up, easy to level my gin on, solid, and dont make noise when I hit them off of something while walking around. They also double as a walking stick.

I have tried all kinds of shooting sticks that people have given me over the years as Christmas presents. I still use these and all of those others are still in the basement in a pile....

If I was hunting the high country and weight was an issue I would consider taking one of the lighter pairs.

 

[Yell Co AR Hunter]

I just shoot free hand on close shots out to 500 yards. Just kidding. Back pack and bi pod for me. Just make sure it adjusts well and locks in easy. Nothing worse than fighting a bi pod to get a shot.

 

[nunt'butmuleys]

Just got a Hatch bipod in the mail yesterday, looks like a sweet system hopefully get to try it out this weekend on the range then soon for muleys and antelope

 

[jimss]

As I get older (and smarter!) I've found that the more weight I can shed off my rifle and other gear...the better. When I was a kid I had a harris bipod on my rifle. I took it off around 40 years ago and have never missed carrying it around nor really needed it ever since. All the muley country I've hunted in Wyo is open with rock/sage. I almost always use my backpack and shoot from prone position. I can always place my backpack on brush/rock if I have to. I can also shoot off spotting scope/tripod if I can't get high enough with my backpack.

 

[Daubs]

I put a Harris bi-pod on my rifle a few years ago. I try to shoot prone when I can.

Last fall I put the stalk on a nice Muley, and ended up ditching my pack for the last part of my stalk. Bi-pod was great, as I dropped him @ 212 yards with a single shot.

 

[Rich M]

Late to the party. I can do a 200-225 yard shot with a trigger stick if I can get a 3rd point of support, but any further I try to drop and use bipods - makes a big diff in staying steady and hitting well.

 

[jimss]

Well I just ran into a new scenario hunting Nebraska whitetails a week ago. Most of the grass in the area I was hunting was 2 to 5' tall. A prone shot off a backpack was pretty much impossible. I did a lot of sitting and glassing in tall grass. I wish I would have either had a super tall bipod or shooting sticks that I could shoot from the sitting position. If anyone has any recommendations on shooting sticks...I'm all ears! It seems like 3 legs would be a lot more stable than 1 or 2. Primos Gen3 trigger stiks look pretty stable? If shooting longer range shots it seems like there would be an advantage to having something that fits on top of 3 legged shooting sticks that would offer more support?

 

[JimP]

Try a Bog Pod. It is three legged with the support for the rifle on top. I used one in Africa with great success.

If you do a search on here we were discussing them in a thread not too long ago.

You can also get accessories for the top for your binoculars, spotting scope, and camera.

 

[ScottR]

Well I just ran into a new scenario hunting Nebraska whitetails a week ago. Most of the grass in the area I was hunting was 2 to 5' tall. A prone shot off a backpack was pretty much impossible. I did a lot of sitting and glassing in tall grass. I wish I would have either had a super tall bipod or shooting sticks that I could shoot from the sitting position. If anyone has any recommendations on shooting sticks...I'm all ears! It seems like 3 legs would be a lot more stable than 1 or 2. Primos Gen3 trigger stiks look pretty stable? If shooting longer range shots it seems like there would be an advantage to having something that fits on top of 3 legged shooting sticks that would offer more support?

Give the Swagger a look, I took my buck at 400 plus yards down hill sitting off the top of it.