Shooting sticks for Washington west-side

[ljsommer]

Who here uses them? Monopod bipod or tripod? Any recommendations?

[fishnfur]

Real men don't use shooting sticks! 

I use the monopod $10 specials from Wally World.  They don't last long - the ends fall off with rough use, but I like 'em 'cause I can throw it in the backpack (it sticks out the top) and it weighs nothing.  If I was hunting east side, I'd invest in a good tripod, but rooting through brush etc on the west side, small and simple seems better.

[Stein]

I usually hunt with an attached Harris bipod.  For the kids, we picked up one of the platform type tripods.

[Bob33]

I use a bipod on the gun, or an unattached Bog Pod tripod.

(They actually work on both sides of the state for me.)

[tlbradford]

I like unattached sticks.  I want to be able to turn 180 easily, stand up, switch to a left hand shot easily, etc.  A couple of arrows with field points and a castration band to secure them. works great.

[dc]

I have carried shooting stix for many yrs now.  I have shot elk with a muzzleloader, mule deer and blacktail bucks using them.  It is a bipod, very light to carry.  Would like to try a tripod, for a antelope trip this fall in Wyoming.  (gotta draw a tag first)

[Bullkllr]

I have a Primos tripod that I have carried when my kids were hunting. Each of my sons shot a few deer off of it that they probably wouldn't have had a shot at otherwise. I'm talking full-sized shoulder height tripod. It provides a great stable platform. Wasn't real happy after one of the leg extenders locked up, but they really get you a nice rest above some of the brush and grass.

Most of the time on the west-side I have found if I can't go prone I'm standing for a shot anyway, or maybe bracing on a tree or stump so I don't carry one myself.

[Big6bull]

Bipod for me. Areas Where I sit and wait are usually scouted well. Know when and where they will be so I usually have a shooting stump picked out. Something often over looked when scouting. Plan on how to get the shot off. Still hunting timber they usually close enough to shoot off hand. Good sticks on east side.

[Wacenturion]

Bog Pod

[JakeLand]

Harris bipods westside

[Humptulips]

I have a mono and a bi. Starting using them a few years ago and don't know why I didn't start sooner. The bi is better but the mono ain't bad IMO. Better then offhand for sure.
Used to look for a stump for a rest but have you seen the heights of the stumps now? I leave them extended and use them like walking sticks. When I stop I set the gun on it ready to go and makes a nice way to rest even if not shooting.
In very heavy brush I will leave them in the car but I probably pack them 75% of the time. I have made shots I would not have attempted before I started using them. Two head shots over the back of elk and some other shots that would have been a prayer before that were not a problem.

[JWEBB]

I bring shooting sticks with me to camp every year and I still haven’t used them. I guess I’m just use to the old rifle over pack method. Hasn’t failed me yet

[Magnum_Willys]

hiking sticks crossed for sitting/standing close shots or javelin bipod and buttstock across pack for prone shots 500 - 1000 yard shots. 

[BigGoonTuna]

I don't think i've ever had a long enough opportunity to set up for a shot that i could use sticks on the west side, so they stay home usually.

Bipods are only useful where i hunt for making your remington 770 look cool for facebook photos.  I think it's an unwritten law that you also have to have a buttstock cartridge band with 10 rounds of .300 mag shoved in there as well.

[yorketransport]

I've used the Stoney Point sticks for years. I spend a lot of time practicing off of them out to about 300 yards with the rifles and 75 yards with the revolvers. I gave my set away last year to a guy who helped me drag my deer out, so I need to replace them.

[trophyhunt]

Carry something, it can make the difference of success or not.  I use lightweight bi pods most the time. Sometimes I carry the heavier pistol grip Jim shockey brand which are super nice.

[Alchase]

I use the Primos Pole Cat Shooting Sticks, usually when I am setup for awhile in one spot watching a draw, meadow, etc... I like how they compact down and store well in my side pocket of me pack for quick access.
They make decent walking sticks as well.

[NW SURVEYOR]

Now ya got me thinking, and that's not a good thing.
I have hunted the westside for 45 years and have shot a bunch of deer and elk without sticks.
My primary approach is to still hunt timber with most shots well under 100 yards, which I am comfortable with.
But I am also thinking that sticks would be nice for those times when I have to reach out.
Also, I have room in the pack, so why not add some more stuff?
For those shots up to about 400 yards, I have alwys had good luck finding or improvising a rest.

[7mmfan]

I started using sticks about 10 years ago and never looked back. I used the Pole Cat ones until last year when they finally broke. I got the Cabelas ones and liked the setup other than the rest. It is rounded and the stock of the gun just floated around in it, very hard to control. I took that head off and replaced it with a V shaped one from a monopod I had laying around, and am very happy with it.

Pros: Very steady rest for long shots or shots where you just need to be a little more precise. Make decent walking sticks as long as you're not really leaning on them. Makes a nice easy spot to lean your gun on when glassing or taking a pee break.

Cons: Get in the way, bang on brush/branches/rocks. Takes time to get them set to ideal height especially in uneven ground.

Likes others have said, if I get into a situation where I know my shots are going to be close or quick, I fold them up and put them in my pack. I pull them out when I'm in longer range area, or if sitting down for a period of time.

All in all, I think they're an invaluable tool.

[CaNINE]

I have a pair of Stony Point sticks that never leave my pack.  I typically only put them into play if I'm making a shot beyond 200 yards.  IMO sticks are superior to bi-pods when hunting in steep mountain terrain.  Here is a link to some field shooting set-ups at a school I attended.  These methods open up all kinds of shot possibilities at extended ranges.

https://nontypicaloutfitters.com/shooting-classes/

[heronblu]

A tree to lean up against. I haven't had the opportunity to take any shots that would justify any other method. Everything I've killed in the last 5 years has been under 50 yrds. I do carry a pair of trekking poles though and I have practiced using them crossed up as a makeshift shooting platform. That has worked well in a target shooting scenario.

[Magnum_Willys]

Put the straps on your hiking poles crossed over each other and makes a steadier rest than shooting sticks and nothing else to carry - if you are going in deep and using hiking poles which is not usually the case in west side.

[masanz1]

think i'm going to 3d print one and mount it to a monopod i have laying around for photography and try this.