Shooting sticks; who uses em, who hates em, who loves em?

[syoungs]

So I've been intrigued with the idea of getting a set of shooting sticks. Or a large monitor to use while hunting, especially to use while muzzle loader or hunting with some other open sight rifles.

It seems to me that they might be a pain to carry around, and I may regret them, I also don't know if a mono vs the sticks that make a x is the better choice.

Anyone have anything good bad or ugly to say about the use of them? I was thinking one of the collapsible mono pods would work out best, but I base that on no usage at all, just from looking at them in sportsman's

[Curly]

I like my shooting sticks.  I've used the Stoney Point shooting sticks for 15 years or so.  They really aren't that bad to carry around.  I do strap them onto my backpack when hiking and not expecting to see anything to shoot.  I thought I might end up losing them at some point, but surprisingly I've not lost them yet.

[Bob33]

I use a Bog Pod which has three legs. I can shoot better offhand than I can with a free standing monopod or freestanding bipod.

[Mfowl]

Last season while ML hunting I had a 90 or so yard shot at a cow that I didn't take because I didn't have a good rest and I was just too shaky off hand at that range. It was my only clear shot opportunity the whole week. So this year I picked up a Bog Pod bipod to carry. I ended up using them on opening day to take a spike and am glad I had them! I have used the mono style sticks for coyote hunting for a couple years and don't favor them. Although they are more steady than no rest they seem to sway alot and just aren't the answer for me. I am looking forward to using my Bog Pod this year for yotes, much more solid than a mono stick. Also the easily adjustable height is a nice feature. They are a touch heavier than other sticks I've carried but were not cumbersome at all. Primos Triggerstick bipod was nice too but heavier and more expensive that the BogPod. I bought mine in the bargain cave at Cabelas for a nice discount.

[Stein]

I really like the attached bi-pod vs shooting sticks.  It is quick to drop to a knee and they also work sitting and prone depending on the angle.

[7mmfan]

I have used shooting sticks for several years now. I've always used the adjustable height ones that I can use prone, sitting, kneeling. I've made several shots in brush at 150+ yards that I wouldn't have been able to freehand or prone off a pack. They can be a pain to carry around, but I find it kind of nice sometimes to use them as a walking stick. When sitting, it is very nice to have them on sticks ready to go. I can also strap them to my pack when I don't want to deal with them.

I tried the mono-pod, hated it. I have one if anyone wants to buy it.

I've considered an attached bipod but at this point I don't want to deal with the extra weight.

[Bofire]

I have used sticks and monos for many years and love them. I do not like bipods (that hook on the rifle) they get in the way, are slower than sticks, if you need to move the rifle you hit them on crap. I prefer sticks over all.

I sit to call coyotes, set the rifle forearm on the sticks and the butt on my shirt pocket, if the target is moving just pick up the rifle. I use the sticks for walking sticks when moving around. When walking along I can sit and get on the sticks fast.
Carl

[Wacenturion]

I use a Bog Pod which has three legs. I can shoot better offhand than I can with a free standing monopod or freestanding bipod.

Have the same....makes for a half way decent walking stick as well.

[elkboy]

I never felt steady with a monopod.  I do have some relatively cheap shooting sticks (bipod, not attached to rifle, but have a U-shaped cradle for the forearm of the rifle) that have helped me take several deer.  They are adjustable, and I love them for ground setups.  Also, creek crossings are a lot easier!  You can use the bipod as a depth rod to make sure you don't go swimming...

 I don't do long-range, open-country hunts, such as for antelope, but friends of mine who do say that Harris-type bipods attached to the rifle are great.   

[syoungs]

Yeah I use Harris bipods when necessary on my 30-06, I've just run into a few cases where I had shot opportunity's on deer with my muzzle loader in the 120-150yd range, which I'm comfortable with on a rest, thought sticks might be a faster way to get off a stable shot. I don't want to attach bi pods to the muzzle loader, it's already front heavy as it is.

So it looks like the dual stick is the way to go? Maybe I'll make a set this weekend to give it a go,the only ones sportsman's have in stock are a little to short, and id end up squatting down a bit to use them with a rifle.

[mp.hunter]

I use them all the time, especially in open country, maybe not as much in heavy timber


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[WAnoob]

Another good alternative if you aren't carrying sticks is to use your trekking poles and cross them and rest off of that. I've used sticks in the past and loved them but most of the hunting I do now I like trekking poles for the terrain.

[trophyhunt]

I carry the Jim shockey trigger stick, I hate carrying them, heavy and tall.  Had to send the first pair back because they broke. BUT, they will be the difference between a good shot and a bad shot. In the end, I carry them for muzzy mostly. 

[huntnfmly]

I got both my daughters trigger sticks tripods they wrk great especially on uneven  ground.
They have both the short and tall version

[Katmai Guy]

Tried a bipod, didn't like them, to slow.  I built my own sticks out of 3/8" or 1/2" aluminium rod, a screw and nut, 1/2" rubber hose and some camo tape.  $15.  Love them and use in open country hunting varmints.

[Curly]

I use a Bog Pod which has three legs. I can shoot better offhand than I can with a free standing monopod or freestanding bipod.

Bog Pod is nice.  I borrowed my dad's bog pod for a shot at an antelope this year in Wyoming with winds probably close to 30 mph.  It worked great.  If I were in the market for shooting sticks the Bog Pod is the one I would go with.

[dscubame]

I carry shooting sticks 90 percent of the time with deer.  I just have a cheap Cabelas brand that works well and are light.  They are full extended as I am hunting and although no one else I generally associate with use them I find them extremely useful.  Although I have been using them well over a decade most recently for 2015 and 2014 deer under a hundred yards and even at that short distance I still found them very pleasant to use.  Countless times I will rest the rifle on the sticks while I use the scope to glass the critters.  I started doing this when I realized I was missing some opportunities going to binos then to scope.  Although I do not use them for elk as they tend to get in the way since I am on the move so much more covering ground.  The deer however since movement is so slow and methodical I have come to really enjoy the sticks and don't find them getting in the way whatsoever.

[JohnVH]

trigger sticks

[Gringo31]

Another good alternative if you aren't carrying sticks is to use your trekking poles and cross them and rest off of that. I've used sticks in the past and loved them but most of the hunting I do now I like trekking poles for the terrain.

 

[Humptulips]

I carry shooting sticks 90 percent of the time with deer.  I just have a cheap Cabelas brand that works well and are light.  They are full extended as I am hunting and although no one else I generally associate with use them I find them extremely useful.  Although I have been using them well over a decade most recently for 2015 and 2014 deer under a hundred yards and even at that short distance I still found them very pleasant to use.  Countless times I will rest the rifle on the sticks while I use the scope to glass the critters.  I started doing this when I realized I was missing some opportunities going to binos then to scope.  Although I do not use them for elk as they tend to get in the way since I am on the move so much more covering ground.  The deer however since movement is so slow and methodical I have come to really enjoy the sticks and don't find them getting in the way whatsoever.

I could have wrote that. Sounds exactly like me. I only hunt on the west side and used to use a stump for a rest when deer hunting. You seen the height of stumps now a days?

[JDHasty]

I really like the attached bi-pod vs shooting sticks.  It is quick to drop to a knee and they also work sitting and prone depending on the angle.

I use a Harris S Bipod and have both long and short ones.  I have used them so much shooting at prairie dogs and rock chucks that going from spotting game to getting a steady shot off at big game or predators is almost as seamless as taking the safety off on my firearm before taking a shot.

Every once in a while the terrain makes it a little frustrating getting set to pull the trigger, but not too often. 

 

[Sakko300wsm]

For sticks - I carry a set of Hammers in my pack. Nice light weight and fold up- but honestly I have never used them. I have some Harris bi pods as well , but not really a fan, heavy , bulky and noisy

[fisheral87]

Just bought a rubber attachment that will allow me to use you trekking poles as shooting sticks. I can't see adding the weight of that BOG+Trekking poles working for me.

I passed on one shot where I could have used them.

Al

[Old Man Yager]

I use the Stoney point sticks. They are pretty easy to carry, folded up, and you just flick them to open them up. Defiantly a help for me. This is my 2nd set, I lost the 1st set I had somewhere down in a *censored*hole in Vail a couple years ago!!

[kentrek]

Also use stoney point....I think there a very important price of gear

[92xj]

@syoungs
I have a bog pod that is not being used this month that you are more than welcome to borrow on your hunt, saving you from dropping 100 bucks on one. If you want to borrow it, come swing by the house. Give me an hour heads up to make sure I'm there.