Monopod, bipod or tripod. What do you recommend for a new hunter.
- Thread starter wulff
- Start date
migrant hunter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
It depends on the terrain your hunting. A bipod might be useless if you're in tall grass and brush. It also can make the gun awkward to carry. Single sticks are easy to carry, but not very stable. Double sticks are a good compromise, I've a set in my truck year round. Go to a gardening store and buy a bundle of square stakes about 5' long, tape two together with electrical tape. Your sticks will cost less than $10 for the pair so when you leave them behind in the dark or drive over them, just make another set.
Trimmer 905
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I have a Caldwell swivel bi-pod that I use on my varmint/predator rifle for using on farm pastures after the cuts have been taken off and I can actually see the entire field. Other than that,I don't use anything except a tree branch,fence rail or posts or whatever happens to be available to steady a rifle. IMO,bi-pods are limited use items that only add carrying weight and are only useful in limited circumstances. Really,it's much better to practice free hand shooting. Where we hunt for big game,shots are usually "snap" shots at ranges under 125 yds in fairly thick brush. A bi-pod under those conditions is useless.
What MH said about sticks, except go to a farm supply business and get a couple fiberglass electric fence posts.they are indestructable.
Shooting aids are of varying use, depending on the terrain. Because of where I live I’ve used the bipods more than anything.
Near as I can tell there is no substitute for a solid back-ground in basic positions.
Shooting aids are of varying use, depending on the terrain. Because of where I live I’ve used the bipods more than anything.
Near as I can tell there is no substitute for a solid back-ground in basic positions.
- Location
- Prince Albert, Sk
I suggest this this , could be a mono, bi, tri, quadripod depending on configuration...
I do suggest keeping it clean though for obvious reasons!!
I do suggest keeping it clean though for obvious reasons!!
None of the above... the biggest issue holding back new hunters is not reacting well during the "moment of truth." New hunters have too much to think about, they are not comfortable, they are not familiar with the game and their movements... they move too much and make too much noise. With new and young hunters, I mostly sight in their rifles and then teach them to shoot free standing and unsupported and determining their effective range based on those results and training them to stay within that range. There are exceptions, such as hunting from a permanent box blind where movement and noise are less of a concern and a rest set-up can be predetermined, also, hunting a specific and narrow food source where a bipod or shooting stix can be aligned in advance. In most hunting situations, game movement is varied and can come from any quarter, messing around with a shooting support in those circumstances will more often than not result in a lost opportunity.
wullf, shooting sticks, monopods, bipods all require PRACTICE.
Bipods are only stable when you aren't forcing them to line up on your target. Some have swivel mounts that make things better, but it still requires practice in the field to learn how to use them properly. Improper usage can induce stress onto the stock and a miss.
Monopods come in various modes. Some are adjustable for height and attach directly to the sling mount on the fore end or have an attachment plate. I don't like them much.
The problem with attached monopods and bipods for the most part is if you're walking long distances the darn things are always in the way or digging into your back during carry.
I like an adjustable shooting stick with a "U" notch top. A good one costs over $50, about 1/3 the cost of a good bipod/monopod.
I have mine set for a standing, shot at a comfortable height.
I also use my shooting stick, which is made from aluminum/titanium as a walking stick. It only weighs a few ounces and is strong and rigid.
Again, I had to practice a lot to become steady on a shooting stick.
Most folks just don't realize that even though these implements help, they aren't magical.
Bipods are only stable when you aren't forcing them to line up on your target. Some have swivel mounts that make things better, but it still requires practice in the field to learn how to use them properly. Improper usage can induce stress onto the stock and a miss.
Monopods come in various modes. Some are adjustable for height and attach directly to the sling mount on the fore end or have an attachment plate. I don't like them much.
The problem with attached monopods and bipods for the most part is if you're walking long distances the darn things are always in the way or digging into your back during carry.
I like an adjustable shooting stick with a "U" notch top. A good one costs over $50, about 1/3 the cost of a good bipod/monopod.
I have mine set for a standing, shot at a comfortable height.
I also use my shooting stick, which is made from aluminum/titanium as a walking stick. It only weighs a few ounces and is strong and rigid.
Again, I had to practice a lot to become steady on a shooting stick.
Most folks just don't realize that even though these implements help, they aren't magical.
Thanks for the advice guys!
Whatever I go with, I'm going to have to spend some time practicing with it at the range. I need to get some rounds in shooting free standing.
Right now I'm looking at at a tripod with a swivel top. Hopefully it will help improve the range of my stationary hunting.
Whatever I go with, I'm going to have to spend some time practicing with it at the range. I need to get some rounds in shooting free standing.
Right now I'm looking at at a tripod with a swivel top. Hopefully it will help improve the range of my stationary hunting.
I use four types of rests:
1. Bipod attached to my rifle; this one normally extends long enough so I can shoot keeling or seated. I take this setup on hunts where I know I will be shooting at least 200 meters +. These are normally prairie hunts in Saskatchewan, Montana or Wyoming with tall grass or sage brush. I either shoot with the bipod or when I can I shoot prone resting on my pack.
2. Bipod; I use the Cabela's brand I believe and they work great. I can extend them from seated to standing heights. I normally attach them on my pack in a way that I can quickly throw it down and rest my rifle on it without deploying it.
3. Tripod; this is solely for hunting from a blind, they're way too heavy and I am leaving mine home more and more. Often, this set will stay in my "good" blind.
4. Homemade bipod when I forget them at home. One thing I always have in the truck or in my pack is paracord. I've made several shooting sticks on the fly and have killed several animals with them.
1. Bipod attached to my rifle; this one normally extends long enough so I can shoot keeling or seated. I take this setup on hunts where I know I will be shooting at least 200 meters +. These are normally prairie hunts in Saskatchewan, Montana or Wyoming with tall grass or sage brush. I either shoot with the bipod or when I can I shoot prone resting on my pack.
2. Bipod; I use the Cabela's brand I believe and they work great. I can extend them from seated to standing heights. I normally attach them on my pack in a way that I can quickly throw it down and rest my rifle on it without deploying it.
3. Tripod; this is solely for hunting from a blind, they're way too heavy and I am leaving mine home more and more. Often, this set will stay in my "good" blind.
4. Homemade bipod when I forget them at home. One thing I always have in the truck or in my pack is paracord. I've made several shooting sticks on the fly and have killed several animals with them.
Where are you shooting from? Ie. In a stand, in a pop up blind, just walking around in the bush sitting on a tree stump? When I used my pop up blind I used a dual shooting stick from a sitting position. Now in my stand, I just toss a shooting bag between my rifle and window lip.
Either way, knowing where you are shooting from is only 1 aspect, like anything else, practice with equipment is key.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Have you learned to use a sling properly while shooting unsupported? Sometimes you just don’t have time or aren’t in a position to shoot with a support, a good sling will often be plenty to get a steady shot and drop an animal. That said if I can use a tree branch or shoot off my knee etc etc I will do that over being slug up tight, it doesn’t always work that way though. I shot my wt doe last season at 75y unsupported, the sling was welcome and got me a double lung shot.
