Shooting sticks for Washington west-side

[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.