Are bipods very useful for hunting?

[Ajj828]

I just bought a tikka t3x today in .30-06 and I'm super super excited to shoot the thing and also hunt deer with it next season. My question is, are bipods really that great for hunting deer? For all of you who have bipods do you find yourself using them all the time in the field? I'm not sure if I should purchase one because that's more money that I could use for other hunting stuff that I need this season. I'm thinking I need to just practice without a bipod to see how my shot is.

[JimmyHoffa]

Depends on the hunting style.  For the reprod and old growth on the westside I think they are more trouble than they are worth.  For the high hunt, they can be great.  I suspect they are effective on the eastside of the state.

[Wolfdog2314]

I carry a "kneeling height" extending bi-pod in my pack. When I'm sitting/waiting/watching I'll get it set up to correct height and my rifle resting in it.  Really steadies my rifle for whatever range of shot. I feel a whole lot more comfortable having it especially in those situations where I'm already set up sitting down waiting for something to pop out.

I've tried attached bi pods to my rifle but just the smaller length prone ones. I like my rifle lighter, and don't have my situations that I've been in to shoot an animal prone.

[syoungs]

I was able to shoot prone on an antelope one time, every other time was kneeling, sitting or standing. I keep a set in my pack and attach em when on a stand, I'll leave em on if I'm just hiking to a glassing spot on the Eastside cause it's easier.
Overall I think they are important pieces of kit. Off brand Amazon ones are usually good enough to try em out and see if they are for you, I've got a pair that's 4 years old and still works fine, just not as refined as some of my others

[Buzz2401]

The shorter "Harris" type bipods are worthless where I hunt but some of those taller ones would be nice if you want to lug around the weight.  I find if you have time to set up bipod you probably have enough time to find a tree or stump to use.

[kselkhunter]

I just carry the Primo trigger sticks, that double as a hiking pole.  Those work fine.  Or logs, deadfall, etc. have worked fine as a gun rest.  Depending on your terrain.  Honestly, most of my shots on game have come using a stump or deadfall as a rest.

[Eric M]

The shorter "Harris" type bipods are worthless where I hunt but some of those taller ones would be nice if you want to lug around the weight.  I find if you have time to set up bipod you probably have enough time to find a tree or stump to use.

They get heavy. Don't get a cheap one. The tall Harris ones will let you shoot sitting or kneeling. No expert but my answer would be "sometimes".

[uplandhunter870]

i have the 9" harris that extends to 18" i think. i hunt the east side, lots of open country. last 3 years i've taken 5 mule deer over here and 4 were shooting prone locked in on the bipod. i find mine to be a very valuable piece of equipment and you get used to the weight. it all boils down to personal choice, every hunter's rifle and gear is personalized to what they like. see if you can borrow one from a buddy or someone and give it a go.

[Turner89]

I have an 18" bipod on my 30-06. I've used it more times than not when I get a buck. It's also handy when setting your gun down. Like a guy said above you will get used to the weight. I broke one one day, so I took it off for the next day. It drove me nuts not having the extra weight, or the kick stand when setting it down. I bought a new one before I went out again......i love mine.

[Bofire]

I prefer shooting sticks
Carl

[Magnum_Willys]

Westside I've never used them prefer tree or steady sticks for longer shots.  Open space East its pack or bipod. 

My new Leupold 4 oz carbon fiber quick attach one should arrive tomorrow.  Attaches with a magnet. 

[dmoua]

I have the 6-9 Harris Bipod. It's useful if you make it useful. When I post up high I usually setup so I can take prone shots.

[trapp01]

I use a fixed Harris 13.5" to 27". I mainly hunt eastern wa so most shots are sitting or kneeling or on my belly.  The 13.5 gets me above the grass and if I need to get higher I'll extend it. Out of 10 deer, I've shot 8 of them off my bipod. I'd say I've come to rely on it. it comes second nature as soon as I see an animal, the bi pod comes down.

[TVHunts]

I use a fixed Harris 13.5" to 27". I mainly hunt eastern wa so most shots are sitting or kneeling or on my belly.  The 13.5 gets me above the grass and if I need to get higher I'll extend it. Out of 10 deer, I've shot 8 of them off my bipod. I'd say I've come to rely on it. it comes second nature as soon as I see an animal, the bi pod comes down.

I've shot my last 4 deer from same height Harris bipods but have found the swivel base to be very helpful. 

[Branden]

Shot a nice buck last year while using a bipod. It made for a rock solid rest, which was nice because I was getting a little excited by the time I got a shot. If I was hunting the west side I probably would not use one as much. East side or high country I would have one.

That Leupold looks a lot like the Javelin bipod I have.

[high country]

I have several, but prefer to use my pack. A good day pack with frame stays can be a tall, short and everything in between rest in seconds.

[Magnum_Willys]

Shot a nice buck last year while using a bipod. It made for a rock solid rest, which was nice because I was getting a little excited by the time I got a shot. If I was hunting the west side I probably would not use one as much. East side or high country I would have one.

That Leupold looks a lot like the Javelin bipod I have.

Same thing - re-branded but with Leupold warranty.

[Alchase]

I have been using Stony point Pole Cat Shooting Sticks for over 10 years. They are light, extremely packable and expandable from 16" - 38" and double walking sticks on long hikes.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Primos-reg-Pole-Cat-Shooting-Sticks/1615721.uts?productVariantId=3503661&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=03689771&rid=20&gclid=CKmMjY6ZytMCFQx6fgod0skEdQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

[jrebel]

Anyone use the Atlas bipod?  I really don't like the price but do like the idea of the lack of back tension for controlled recoil.  really like the pivot and cantor motions. 

[Humptulips]

Another vote for shooting sticks. Might matter where you are hunting. If you are in real open country maybe but for me (west side hunter) they would be worthless. I always have to shoot standing to get over the brush and shooting sticks are ideal for that. I leave them extended and they double as a walking stick.
I never used them for years but now that I have them I wish I had had them a long time ago. Hard to find a rest with the low stumps you see now and they help me make shots I couldn't make otherwise.

[Mongo Hunter]

Ive had a Harris and a versa pod before on a couple of my rifles. MOST of the time they sit in my pack or off the gun. never actually taken an animal using a bipod. However Ive had them on my guns for hunting areas where I know a shot may exceed 200 yards. they are nice to have in that case but the added weight gets to be a pain if your not just posting up somewhere.

[JDHasty]

It is very rare to find me in the field hunting or shooting varmints w/o a Harris Series S bipod attached to my rifle.

We have a couple of Harris Series S swivel bipods, two of them are 25S and the third one is an S-BR that is 6-9 inches.  I have probably shot north of 25,000 prairie dogs off the older of the two 25S bipods.  I have shot elk and deer off it as well. I have had it since 1992.   

The S-BR is mostly used for kids when shooting off our shooting benches.  Much easier for kids than a front rest & bags. 

The 25S can be a tad bit high (but usable) at it's lowest point for prone shooting, but it is what I find most usable because of the ability to shoot sitting or kneeling over grass, brush and other obstructions.

THE KNOCKOFF's ARE ABSOLUTE JUNK. 

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

I have found a set of shooting sticks or trekking poles to be more useful than a bipod when I am in country that could present me with a long shot.  If i.am in the timber I don't take anything but the rifle.  I used a bipod one season and it seemed to make my rifle feel front heavy and affected my shooting negativley.

[Edward Cullen]

I have a Harris Bipod. It is a great bipod.

[BigGoonTuna]

judging by what i see on facebook, you'd think it's a necessary item, along with a sling that holds 20 rounds of .300 magnum, and a 56mm scope.

[Antlershed]

I have the Harris 9-13” pivoting bipod on my .300wsm. Used it to shoot deer and Elk East and Westside. Only time it comes off the gun is if I am hiking thru reprod or timber where I know the shots will be close.

[DOUBLELUNG]

I used my daypack for decades.  I've had shooting sticks (collapsible, shock corded in a belt sheath) for 10+ years and a Harris bipod for a few.  I've used them all and been glad to have them.  However, my thick stuff gun is an open sights M94 .30/30, and have taken a fair number of fast moving whitetails at close ranges that way.  It just really depends on where and how you hunt.  None are "must haves" in my opinion, they can be added over time if you have other gear needs. 

[7mmfan]

I have never used a bi-pod, but have considered it. I carry shooting sticks in my pack and have used them many times. Most of the animals I have killed have been inside 200 yards, and could have done without them, but they're nice to have when the opportunity presents itself.

The way I see it, I don't want the extra weight attached to the rifle full time. If the animal is far enough away that I need that support to make the shot, I probably have enough time to get my sticks out. Not always obviously, but often. If the animal is close enough that I don't have time to get the sticks out, I probably don't need them anyway.

[jstone]

I thought about I‎t this year when i went on my Montana antelope hunt. Bought sticks instead. Didn’t even get to use them, layed down and used my pack. Not sure about the added weight

[ADBuck24]

I grew up hunting in AZ where it is mostly spot and stalk style hunting. I always had shooting sticks or bipods. If you don't want to spend much money then I can tell you how to make very cheap shooting sticks that are very light and quiet. I will never buy shooting sticks again because these work so well! Pm me for more info

[DeerThug]

true it depends on where you are hunting but i never take a shot without a rest and most of the time on bipods either sitting or prone.  I have not take a shot on anything over the last dozen years not on bipod.  and well lets just say i have done a lot of killing

So yes they are quite useful and a necessity.  I have harris  but also carry shooting sticks if i need height but most of the time the harris bipods are just fine.

[follow maggie]

It depends on where and how you hunt. If you're in a spot where you can set up wth a bipod they're definitely helpful. I don't use one because I don't like having extra things attached to my rifle and I don't want the weight on it. Most of the places I hunt it's not hard to find a good rest, or I use a set of shooting sticks. For under 150 yards I'm comfortable & proficient wth using the sling while standing or sitting. Do whatever works for you.

[Biggerhammer]

Buy one, try it. If you don't like it, don't use it?

[JohnVH]

For long range I prefer bipods. Shorter I like trigger sticks.


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[duckmen1]

I love a bipod. Easy to set gun down when needed for rest periods. And have shot a lot of animals using a bipod both east and west side. A good rest for more hunters would bring an added amount of success in the field. Some people lack taking the time to make a good rest and have a pore shot because of it. That being said there are a lot of options on how to get a rest in the field whether its a store bought item or natural rest. For me its a always have item just in case the situation calls for it. I even use one on muzzleloaders and can say it has even helped tremendously there during the right applications. I have used shooting sticks to and they are extremely helpful also but i always seem to wack them on things causing noise. I am a pretty good shot and practice out to 550 at the range. Max my hunting situations out at 400 under the right conditions. But most of all what I'm trying to say is most of us get excited under the conditions such as buck fever and having a good rest can be the difference of bringing that trophy home. What ever you decide shoot straight and good luck on your hunting adventures.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Too much to get in the way, just my humble opinion.

[jasnt]

I use the Harris s25c. Often shooting from a sitting position on a hill side. They are heavy but so is my rifle.   I rarely ever leave home with out it on my rifle

[hunter399]

I have a bog pod ,but I always thought that was the hood of the truck was for, ,you know a tree ,rock,log,off hand,use what God gave ya in God's country,or I'm just to lazy to carry it. ,kids use the pod a lot for target practice or sight in .

[KFhunter]

I just bought a tikka t3x today in .30-06 and I'm super super excited to shoot the thing and also hunt deer with it next season. My question is, are bipods really that great for hunting deer? For all of you who have bipods do you find yourself using them all the time in the field? I'm not sure if I should purchase one because that's more money that I could use for other hunting stuff that I need this season. I'm thinking I need to just practice without a bipod to see how my shot is.

I think the standard composite stocks are a bit floppy for a gun mounted bi-pod, and make the gun harder to shoulder sling 

[Biggerhammer]

You can purchase a short rail adaptor for any rifle, most mount to your front sling swivel on any rifle and still have means to attach your sling. You then purchase a throw lever quick release mount that attaches to your bipod. Carry the bipod in the side pocket of your hunters orange vest if need be and only attach it if you need it. Where I hunt, I always leave my bipod attached. Due to the fact we are shooting them out far enough they don't even know we are there and have all the time in the world to set up.