Shooting sticks??

[Tbob]

So I just got invited on my first antelope hunt. It will be in NE TX on a buddies ranch. He told me though that they've had a lot of rain this year and the weeds are really tall. He said would be a good idea to practice shooting off of some sticks.. Does anybody have any good recommendations on a good set of shooting sticks? Was looking at maybe a tripod type set up like you see on the safari shows in Africa? Any advise would be much appreciated!! Thanks!

[Solohunter84]

Tag. Was just looking at the primos ones for the wife but was curious if they were any good. Durable. Worth the $65

[RadSav]

Are you looking for sticks to use while standing or for use while sitting up?

[Lunchbox1981]

I really enjoy my primos trigger sticks.  Very useful, can be used standing or sitting.

http://www.amazon.com/Primos-Trigger-Stick-Tall-Tri/dp/B001RMX0AW

Better deals can be found.  This link is just an example.

[Tbob]

I'm pretty sure I'll be standing.. Although he said the weeds are so tall I might actually be able to sneek into bow range now.. Still thinking I'm going to take my rifle though. Or both maybe?

[h20hunter]

D-Rock on here uses an old piece of junk camera tripod. It looks a little goofy but I've seen it in action....quick to set up, easily adjustable, light.....what else do you need?

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'm pretty sure I'll be standing.. Although he said the weeds are so tall I might actually be able to sneek into bow range now.. Still thinking I'm going to take my rifle though. Or both maybe?

You can make your own sticks for a lot less than the pre-made ones cost.  Unless you just like to be the "ultimate consumer".  It seems like that with the shooting sports getting so popular in the past few years, more and more companies are coming out with competing products to suck as much money out of people's pockets as possible.  Shooting sticks are one of the most primitive of all shooting accessories! 

[mfswallace]

I've carried sticks for years and in almost all but a few cases have not used them for various reasons
That being said when I did they helped   

[T-Dozzer]

I have 2 sets. Stoney point & bog pod.
Stoney point are cheaper. It is a 3 leg deal, but can easily unscrew to make it 2 legs. Extend fast. Good for sitting and standing. I like them & carry them pretty often.

[jjhunter]

Come on, Tyson...Shooting sticks?  That's what god made knees and fence posts for.  Ha ha

[Wacenturion]

Bog Pod...

[RadSav]

When I've been modern rifle antelope hunting the best rest I've seen is a good shooting bag that lays nicely on the hood of the truck.  Like it or not there are probably more antelope shot every year using that technique than any other IMO.

When I hunt the high country for bear where I find a spot and sit all day I carry the Stoney Point Steady Stix.  If I'm really getting back and bring my full pack I'll often leave the stix behind and bring an attachment for my camera tripod.  Both work very well when I'm backed into a pile of rocks or against a stump and have plenty of time to prepare.

Nice thing about the Steady Stix is they also work well as a trekking pole once I have meat to pack out.  I broke a couple until I figured out you can increase their strength by carrying a short roll of electrical tape and banding the two sticks together when your trekking back with that first heavy load of meat.  They are even better when packing loads over snow covered rock slides as the small diameter sticks cut through the snow exceptionally well helping you avoid cracks and help you find that good footing.

If I think most of my shots are going to come rather quick and while standing or kneeling I'm most certainly an old school shooter.  Perhaps because of the way I was raised and how my grandfather taught me to shoot.  Or perhaps because I seem extremely unsteady when standing and using long sticks.  I instead use the Hasty or Deliberate sling method most of the time.  Perhaps I'm crazy, but I feel better taking a 200 yard shot while standing erect using a sling than I do a long stick.

I do catch heck from a lot of modern shooters for tagging most of my rifle kills shooting off hand even at some distance.  But if you can ever find a good Hasty type sling these days and spend some time learning how to shoot it I think a lot of guys would embrace the old school technique.  Wasting time with stix has cost plenty of guys I know a decent trophy.  Unless you have all the time to set up and prepare for the shot in advance of seeing the animal I say, "embrace old school!"

I should mention that I seldom carry a gun with a barrel length longer than 24".  I very much dislike shooting hunting guns with a barrel length exceeding 26".  And most of my rifle hunting has been westside animals or alpine bear not wide open antelope hunting. 

Here is a decent video on using the old school slings.  This is the type of sling and the technique my grandfather taught me when I was seven shooting starlings off hand with the .22LR at 100 yards.  I loved spending the day with grandpa guarding the raspberries and peas   Wayne van Zwoll: Sling Up & Hit

[Wacenturion]

RadSav........Good video.  I knew Wayne when he was a very young man....back in 1980-81.  He actually worked for me when I supervised WDFW's wildlife areas in Region 2 (Grant, Adams, Franklin, Douglas and Okanogan counties.

He was an assistant wildlife area manager on the Wells Wildlife Area back then.  i have always been glad to see him so successful in the pursuit of what his dream was.

[RadSav]

RadSav........Good video.  I knew Wayne when he was a very young man....back in 1980-81.  He actually worked for me when I supervised WDFW's wildlife areas in Region 2 (Grant, Adams, Franklin, Douglas and Okanogan counties.

He was an assistant wildlife area manager on the Wells Wildlife Area back then.  i have always been glad to see him so successful in the pursuit of what his dream was.

I was turned on to his writing not long after that.  Seemed he was a bit more into archery hunting back then.  Though he wrote a story about the 1/4" bore they may have been the reason I am still a quarter bore fan to this day.  Always liked that fame hasn't seemed to change who he is.  Not many with his level of exposure you can say that about!

I did not know he had that much Washington State experience - Cool!

[Alchase]

My Son and I use Stoney Point Compact Bipod  shooting sticks

http://www.amazon.com/Stoney-Point-Compact-Polecat-16-38-Inch/dp/B000KKES8U

They collapse down to 18 in and up the 36 in. We also use them as walking sticks in nasty terrain. They are extremely light, and very stable.

[RadSav]

My Son and I use Stoney Point Compact Bipod  shooting sticks

http://www.amazon.com/Stoney-Point-Compact-Polecat-16-38-Inch/dp/B000KKES8U

They collapse down to 18 in and up the 36 in. We also use them as walking sticks in nasty terrain. They are extremely light, and very stable.

I carry those when I'm supporting the wife walking roads on a rifle hunt.  They work great for her when she wants to take a standing shot.  I'll usually have the PoleCat set up for standing position in my hand and then the Steady Stick on my side in case we have time to get down to sitting or kneeling.  We've gotten to be pretty fast as a team working this way.

[Alchase]

We keep ours in the spotter pocket of our packs. I love using them when setting up on a draw or when I am going to be watching a hillside.

[Tbob]

Thanks for all the great input! I didn't grow up shooting so I'm not as confident shooting off-hand as some of you might be. I'm pretty good though If I can get a rest of some kind. I shoot archery 90% of the time. This will probably be my only chance to ever go on an antelope hunt and my buddy said my chances will increase greatly of taking one if I bring my rifle. So rifle it is. Thanks again to everyone who posted !

[rittem1]

Primos Gen 2 Trigger Sticks (Bi-pod). They can go as low as about 24 inches on up to 60ish inches. They are quick and quiet and good if you need a rest but there's too much cover to hunker down really low. I think, like most, you can also mount your spotting scope to it as well.

[Stickerbush]

Has anyone modified a pair of trekking poles to use as shooting sticks? I'm thinking for high country areas if I'm doing a lot of hiking anyway then I could attach them together to use as a shooting rest

[MtnMuley]

I have. All it take is a large runner band.

[Roosevelt]

I have had a lot of success with the primos trigger sticks. Shot quite a few animals off of them. A little practice with them and they are quick to manipulate into the perfect position that your shot requires. The only problem I have with sticks from time to time is if I am hiking with them extended they can clang together easily if your not careful. I mainly use them in Colorado as I don't do a lot of modern hunting here in WA.

[AWS]

You don't have to modify trekking poles just loop the wrist straps over the other pole and spread them out.  I do the same thing with ski poles when I'm coyote hunting in snow country.

[T-Dozzer]

Come on, Tyson...Shooting sticks?  That's what god made knees and fence posts for.  Ha ha

I deserve that......