Shooting Sticks

[Bob J]

Anybody use them for hunting? I'm thinking about doing some ground blind hunting this year and wonder if a single stick or cross-sticks would be beneficial for 60-75 yard shots. never tried shooting sticks, though I did rest rifle against a tree to shoot my first blackpowder buck.

 

[rabjr]

Shooting from a wheel chair I use sticks all the time. Only time I don't is when I'm on my CATV.

 

[bob1961]

i had two old arrows i used fer shooting sticks one time fer squirrel hunting and popped one at 90 yards sitting with sticks with my .22 long bolt rifle....couldn't beleve when it went down and it was on the ground....i'd use them...........bob

 

[paulvallandigham]

I often use a walking staff( stick) when hunting, as it helps me move slowly, negotiating the stick through brush forces me to pick up my feet, and concentrate on making less noise, and give me a great shooting rest no matter when a shot occurs. Just stick the staff forward of you about 3 feet to it is leaning backwards towards you. Hold it with your left hand,( Right handed shooters), and stick your thumb out to reast the forestock of your gun. You can use this standing, sitting, kneeling, or any position in between.

I also sometimes us a tracking stick, made from a ski pole. I remove the basket and point, and replace them with a table bumperpad. The handle comes with a wrist strap which is very handy, and the pole is hollow, and made of fiberglass wound around a base, so it is lightweight and very strong. Mine is about 4 feet tall, which is just a little short for me to use as a standing rest, but It works great from a kneeling position. Again, I put the base of it in the ground about 3 feet in front of my forward foot, and then lean it back towards me. Unlike cross sticks, which can limit movement in event your game is moving across your field of view, the single walking staff allows you movement with your gun without changing your position all the time.

 

[renovato]

I usually rest against a tree, myself. I've used sticks though and they work good. I find myself target shooting with them more, too. Try them and see.

 

[roundball]

Anybody use them for hunting? I'm thinking about doing some ground blind hunting this year and wonder if a single stick or cross-sticks would be beneficial for 60-75 yard shots. never tried shooting sticks, though I did rest rifle against a tree to shoot my first blackpowder buck.

As an alternatice to carrying and having to try and position shooting sticks just right without making movement to speak of, if you haven't tried it, you might try just sitting on the ground leaning against a tree...off elbow braced down against your chest, etc...just about as rock solid as a bench rest.

When I'm deer hunting I'm either on the ground against a tree or in a tree stand against a tree...I shoot my range practice sessions from that position every weekend

 

[Alberta Black]

I use a collapseble shooting stick that I bought from Wal-Mart. I finds that it really helps when shooting a flintlock and because it collapses I can stick it in my belt when I am not using it.
When i hunt from a ground blind i can adjust the height for my stool or my chair. It is definitely one of the best tools that I have purchased.

Richard

 

[2172]

I use a staff, (known locally as a "Moses stick") while hiking and hunting in these mountains...our woodswalk is layed out along a pretty steep ridge, and I find using the staff there really good...Hank

 

Now that the feeling in my feet is fadeing ,I use a stick for walking to keep from tipping over. My choice is the carbon fiber shaft of a driver, saw the head off and put a thong through the handle,it makes a dandy monopod for shooting and a very fine weapon for everyday protection, dont swing it ,poke with it.

 

[Bob J]

Thanks everyone :hatsoff: I think I'll try a single stick/monopod due to lightness and manueverability, and try Roundball's "elbow-on-the-chest" method. Never hurts to experiment!

 

[CG6018]

Dixie Flinter,
Like Paul and Hank suggested, I usually have my "Moses Stick" with me. I'm not as sure-footed as I used to be, so it offers that type of support, and then when a shooting opportunity presents itself, the stick provides a steady rest. It is a good prop for steadying your binoculars. Hunting the Blue Mt. here in southeastern Pa. can be a difficult hunt during our late flintlock season, and many, many times my old Moses Stick has saved me from a nasty tumble. Good hunting and keep your powder dry! :thumbsup:

 

[shortjack]

I agree with you. My friend uses them out in Wyoming when he coyote hunts.The only problem is if the game you are shooting doesn't come into the sooting lane and you have to shift or move the sticks they will spook from the sudden movement of trying to pick up the shooting sticks and the gun to put it into the shooting lane the animal is coming in on. When that happens the animal shifts directions and moving the sticks to get a shot becomes moot because he just shifted out of the shooting range you just adjusted to. He spooked 7 coyotes I called in by doing that, if I'm using my 22-250 its no big deal but I like using my 50 cal and trying to shoot a running coyote with a iron-sighted muzzle loader in thick sage brush is next to almost impossible. Learning th shoot a muzzle loader in variuos off-hand shooting positions just takes practice and once you master that you don't even think about sight alignment or trigger pull, it's automatic. Everybody misses now and again so if that happens don't get discouraged I've seen plenty of misses with the use of shooting sticks. If for some reason like a disability and you need to use shooting sticks go ahead, there is nothing wrong with using anything you can to help you steady your aim whether you are disabled or not. There are pro's amd con's with either method IMHO.