When shooting bags won't work

P7M13 said:

Take heart, the saguaro is probably older than you, and hates it when older gentlemen lean up against it.

I've never had to take a long shot at game, though I practice for them.
For years I would practice in the Tillamook forest, shooting across a canyon where I hung gongs at 300, 400 & 500, and another where I could shoot 800. I would use boulders or pin my rifle up against a tree.
I had bipods on my favorite rifles, and never once used them, and took them off.
A friend gave me a monopod shooting stick but that was only a little more stable than offhand.
I use shooting sticks now where I'm crouched on a knee and the stick are canted toward me. I don't know the brand, they were a gift from my brother. They took me some getting used to as far as ergonomics.

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I have the Polecat adjustable shooting sticks that are solid when I sit, kneel or get back support of a tree, boulder or the occasional Saguaro.

Hold a trekking pole in your off hand and use as a rear rest either your index finger which is creating a shelf or extend your thumb away from the pole and create a V with it where the rifle can rest. Same thing this guy is doing except he is using a tripod. You can use that while kneeling or sitting. You can also use a tripod but in the field I use the tripod and an arca rail for the rifle.

There are other methods but this is one I really like.

The Oregonian said:

Hold a trekking pole in your off hand and use as a rear rest either your index finger which is creating a shelf or extend your thumb away from the pole and create a V with it where the rifle ca rest. Same thing this guy is doing except he is using a tripod. You can use that while kneeling or sitting. You can also use a tripod but in the field I use the tripod and an arca rail for the rifle.

There are other methods but this is one I really like.


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Exact same method I meant but you described it much better. I do this but clipped in up front

The Oregonian said:

Hold a trekking pole in your off hand and use as a rear rest either your index finger which is creating a shelf or extend your thumb away from the pole and create a V with it where the rifle ca rest. Same thing this guy is doing except he is using a tripod. You can use that while kneeling or sitting. You can also use a tripod but in the field I use the tripod and an arca rail for the rifle.

There are other methods but this is one I really like.


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Notice his rifle is supported in the center, near the balance point which helps keep it from being either too front or too rear heavy.

use a tripod and trigger stick. I've taken a lot of animals off a tripod. Shot a cat yesterday. Now I have a lot of tools I use but it's my favorite by far. I do carry trekking poles with a wiser mount too. With practice, you can make a lot of things work well but it still takes experience to really nail down your methods. Another reason the tripod works for me is the ability to use it for prone too.

Jakeweb09 said:

Exact same method I meant but you described it much better. I do this but clipped in up front

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Your profile pic another great example.

Get an arca rail put on your stock and a pan head that accepts the rail. Sit down with your left knee up if you are right handed and get the tripod set, attach the arca rail to your tripod. Put your pack under your armpit on your shooting arm for support and rest your non shooting elbow on your left knee. Super solid. Trust me…try it and you won't go back.

Tucson beat me to it, but I'll second the Gunstix. They've been a game changer for me. Took an oryx at 275 while standing and sighted on another at 440 and it was a rock solid rest.

FOR ME, when hunting, both sitting and moving, the Primos Triggerstick works well. I can collapse it, hang it from my Diablo with the attached clevis they provide, when I sit, it's out and right there ready to go. It's proven itself time and time again and it the seccond most important tool besides the firearm when I hunt. As I said, FOR ME...

I have a Gunwerks bipod and I carry trekking poles. Between the two I will find a shooting solution.

The easy answer……my homemade shooting sticks, made from 1/2" fiberglass rod. The fiberglass is linear in the rod……meaning zero fiberglass "fuzz" to deal with. I think that may also contribute to their stiffness! The sticks are 48" long, at the intersection point about 42". They are stiff/strong enough to aid as a walking stick in rough or loose terrain. They will even work for a moderately steep downhill shot…..which requires pretty long sticks!

However, I limit my maximum shots to 600 yrds……with optimal shooting conditions. For a better rifleman they probably be used for longer distances……but for me, 600 would be the longest I would even consider!

I failed to mention, I hunt in mixed terrain, shots could be measured in feet if I have my way…..to far beyond what I would consider trying! When stalking in heavy growth, shots can be taken fast on a moving target at close range……I don't want any "GARBAGE" hanging on my rifle, affecting it's balance or mobility! I can simply drop the sticks for those moments! memtb

African Shooting sticks. There's also tripods set up just like what your doing.

Picture courtesy Rudolph optics USA.

AZHTR said:

I do hunt with a packframe. I should try an utilize "it" for rear support.

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I have a couple of Sam's bipod buddies. He's from my hometown and was the first to develop this setup. However, there are now a couple of makers out there who are similar to his.

AZHTR said:

I do hunt with a packframe. I should try a utilize "it" for rear support.

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You can also get a jacket or something else that you can fold and up and wedge in somewhere. You can sit and wedge it under an elbow that may be sitting on your knee to give you more height if needed, hold onto your shooting shoulder with your offhand and create a pocket with your offhand index finger and thumb, or wedge the jacket or whatever you have anywhere to solidify your position so you are resting rather than holding.