Shooting sticks

[Vuilbek]

l have never used them ever. Not even used a single shooting stick. Always seemed like just more stuff to carry. Does it really help that much? Or am l stubborn in thinking that more training should be had at other shooting positions instead of bench. I also, have never trained at benchrest, preferring to practice using shooting positions l would actually encounter. Perhaps l am being inflexible having spent too much time in the military.
What say you guys about shooting sticks?

 

[CAustin]

Yes sir by all means practice with sticks before going on safari! The are a great help.

 

[cpr0312]

Certainly practice a bunch off them, they help a lot and all outfitters use them, at least the ones I have hunted with. You cant always find a tree, or get prone, or kneel and be able to brace your elbow on your knee. If you purchase some, get ones that are adjustable from a sitting height all the way to a standing height.

 

[Therack]

I bought the Bog Pod safari sticks to practice with before my hunt. The tripods are much more stable than the bipods. I got some great advice on this forum from experienced shooters on the proper shooting stance and form. The first 2-3 times I practiced I shot horrible groups, by the 4th or 5th range session I was shooting proficiently out to 200 yards. Practice, practice, practice- it pays off.

 

[Red Leg]

I have killed African game cleanly with them out to 250 yards. I respect military training and experience. I spent three decades in the military as a combat arms officer, hold a gold EIC (that's an Excelence in Competion shooting award for you civilians) and consider myself a very experienced field shot. I could not have made the shot above with any degree of certainty free hand, and in much of Africa an alternative shooting position is not an option. With a little practice sticks become an incredibly effective tool. That said, hunting alone, I don't carry them. But in Africa you won't either - your PH will. And I am seeing more and more US guides with them. They really work- really well.

 

[Shootist43]

I never used them either. But just in case the advice I received from experienced AH (ers) was correct, I practiced with them before going to Africa. Try shooting two fifty shot groups at 50 or 100 yards with a small but capable rifle (I used a bolt action Marlin 17 HMR) one off the sticks and the other off-hand. Unless I miss my guess you will answer your own question. Out to 100 yards I previously felt very comfortable shooting off-hand. At greater distances I have my doubts. Now at 73 I prefer a rest "shooting sticks" for a example. Out of the seven animals I took in Africa four were at 220 yards or more. There is a trick to using the shooting sticks. Do not pull the gun down hard into the "V" that will just add "spring" or additional bounce to the recoil and screw up your group. Rather just steady your hand and hold unto the rifle firmly in an effort to control the muzzle.

 

[Mekaniks]

I had never used sticks either. Always just used a tree branch, fence post, or whatever was available. Then when I was getting ready to go to South Africa I bought a bog pod tripod to practice off. Then outfitter had same type when I got there. Now I am not sure why I didn't start using them long ago for all hunting...

 

[lcq]

I'm considered a rookie here with only 3 trips to Africa. You are getting very good advice from those with much more experience than me. I can tell you that in most places you will hunt the only steady rest will be sticks. Most trees have nasty thorns (forget about them as a rest. ) you'll bleed enough without trying that. the grass is too long (sitting or prone isn't happening) etc

 

[BRICKBURN]

African PH's use sticks. Welcome to the culture.

When in Rome!

 

[matt85]

practicing off sticks is a must for hunting in Africa. all outfitters will have/use them and will expect you to use them while you are there.

-matt

 

[petrusg]

sticks are great! most animals we have hunted were shot from sticks.... sure you can always use a tree or bend down or sit but this is not always possible.

 

[Vuilbek]

I'm surprised, I must say. Nobody has said a word about not using sticks, or a single standing stick. I am not new to this game, and hail from the eastern cape originally, although l live in Europe for the last 17 years. I have a traditional view on using a lot of tech to bag animals, and can't bring myself to use bipeds, telescopic shooting sticks and rangefinder. As l get older (unsteady) l'm being forced reluctantly to look at these options.
Steady hands and depth of field in vision, are getting less reliable.
I think I will start using a single stick, made of wood, and learn to hold stick and rifle without the rifle touching the stick, just to steady a bit. I saw this done once. The guy held the top of the stick in his left fist, balanced the forend on his second finger and thumb, and curled his index finger over the top to hold it all tight. This was twenty years ago or so

 

[African Sporting Creations]

We make them,so will say that up front. Old time PH stopped by our booth at DSC years ago and said his wounded animals went way down after he made them mandatory unless he was guiding a real shooter. I used to shoot all the time but marriage, kids and moving to an area where I have to drive to shoot all made it more difficult to practice. Sticks have helped me make clean kills and spend more time hunting and less time following wounded game.

 

[Red Leg]

I'm surprised, I must say. Nobody has said a word about not using sticks, or a single standing stick. I am not new to this game, and hail from the eastern cape originally, although l live in Europe for the last 17 years. I have a traditional view on using a lot of tech to bag animals, and can't bring myself to use bipeds, telescopic shooting sticks and rangefinder. As l get older (unsteady) l'm being forced reluctantly to look at these options.
Steady hands and depth of field in vision, are getting less reliable.
I think I will start using a single stick, made of wood, and learn to hold stick and rifle without the rifle touching the stick, just to steady a bit. I saw this done once. The guy held the top of the stick in his left fist, balanced the forend on his second finger and thumb, and curled his index finger over the top to hold it all tight. This was twenty years ago or so

Somehow I am struggling with the notion that three pieces of bamboo held together by old rubber tubing (what I have typically found in Africa) represents a "lot of tech" to take a game animal cleanly with a rifle. Or that a single stick is somehow a purer form of hunting.

That said, I suspect we would agree in prefering not to dress a rifle with an attached bipod. I am sure there is an esthetic issue at work deep in my soul, but I also have rarely found them useful anywhere but a shooting bench - at least for the hunting I do. In rough ground, I usually shoot sitting or over a rock and a pack, and I don't seem to hunt the sort of deer with the patience to allow a hunter to unlimber much paraphernalia.

In Africa, where a wounded animal costs the same as a dead one, I am quite happy to use sticks when I need them. However, early on in a hunt, I make sure my PH knows that I'll let him know when to set them. I have watched sticks go up for a nervous warthog at fifty feet - all that does is complicate an otherwise easy shot. I have never had a PH with an issue with that.

 

[Ryan]

I completely agree that you shouldn't rely on a bench other than to sight in and practice in varying positions is a necessity for real world applications. That said, shooting sticks are a simple tool to steady a shot and improve accuracy. In the US I either use my frame backpack bar or I have made a couple sets of sticks out of alder branches tied together that have worked simply and perfectly. They have paid for their weight in gold when I've had an animal in my sights but then had to wait a long time to get a shot because it turned or milled in with others. That was especially true in Namibia for my zebra which probably took 5 minutes before a clean shot finally happened.

 

[Vuilbek]

A couple of alder branches as mentioned above, sure l could do that. I'm going to have to do something, l'm not a sharpshooter anymore.

 

[Ray B]

I don't remember anyone using "sticks" on the line at Edson range.

 

[Vuilbek]

I doubt that Selous, Harry Manners, Shelby et al , used sticks, and that bugs me. Tradition is a big part of hunting for some, including me. Wood and blue rifles, side by side shotguns, iron sights unless shooting long range etc.........but, not as steady as l was

 

[Sika98k]

If considering buying sticks take a look at the Viper Flex sticks. I was initially sceptical but they are a revelation in steadiness!

 

[PeteG]

These are mine. Nothing fancy, but very effective.
I have used them while sitting and managed to dig the pointed ends into the sand to keep it stable enough to use.
Wrapped the top ends with sisal rope.