When shooting bags won't work

I have a fairly light weight folding stool that I keep strapped to my backpack for walking into new areas and doing a sit.

Longer ranges or tall grass, I take the backpack off, set up the stool and put the backpack on the stool. Plop my butt on the ground and I have a portable bench.

AZHTR said:

Fundemental question from out West - What do you guys use to hunt/shoot long distance from in tall grass/bushes/terrain when shooting bags won't work?

I took my nephew on a coues deer hunt last year, he shot his deer at 550 yards (one shot) off of shooting bags. This year he drew another coues hunt and shot a deer at 525 yards (one shot) however, the terrain was tall grass/shrubs. I rigged a couple of tripods in line to rest the rifle upon and for him to feel comfortable to make the shot....,...but it took us around 25 minutes (Deer was bedded)

He shoots my rifles and I don't use a bipod, only because I cannot keep my accuracy going from the bench/bags to using the bipod. (I struggle with "loading" the bipod correctly)

I've been trying to come up with some type of "shooting support system" using my current glassing tripod. The last pic is the most stable, but looking at a hillside 700 yards away it's not as solid as it "might" look.

Coues deer hunting is up and down terrain and I'm trying to limit extra weight in my daypack!

Suggestions welcomed

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I carry a Bog Pod Havoc bipod. Lightweight, adjustable legs for uneven terrain. When I have to sit, I rest my right elbow on my right knee. Works well for me in grass. My outfitter started carrying a Havoc for clients after checking mine out and liking it.

Will.284 said:

Wing I central Mt I use a tripod and my pack as well but it does take some practice

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Absolutely, not just shooting practice but practice setting up efficiently and smoothly and practicing making minor adjustments. I have tried a bunch of different approaches and sticks and for me this is most flexible, mobile, and lightweight.

The tripod I bought is lightweight and designed for one leg to be used as a walking stick. It is short enough for sitting with a small footprint. Added a mini ball head for quick easy minor adjustments. Carry a mono pod for rear stock support on standing shots and that is also used as a second trekking pole. Have a small waterproof roll top bag with spare socks attached to the outside of my pack on a clip that I keep spare socks, neck gaiter etc in that is my rear bag. essentially everything is dual use.

The other thing I teach students is set up multiple 1/2 inch dots on their backyard fence and practicing dryfiring on them from 20 yards and practice switching from dot to dot and getting steady as quickly as possible as well as repositioning just a few feet forward, back, left and right. I think that simulates what really happens in the field.

std7mag said:

I have a fairly light weight folding stool that I keep strapped to my backpack for walking into new areas and doing a sit.

Longer ranges or tall grass, I take the backpack off, set up the stool and put the backpack on the stool. Plop my butt on the ground and I have a portable bench.

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Stool coupled with a tripod is also great for folks with a bad knee who have difficulty getting all the way down on the ground.

memtb said:

And……Huge!

Perfect….when you have lots of "friends" working with/for you! And…..what ranges do most PH's prefer you shoot. A lot of what I've "seen in the movies"…..is done at offhand ranges!

Not piling on you…..just the use of that system for the majority of "do it yourself" hunts/hunters! memtb

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I've never had friends (or PHs) carry, deploy, or setup my gunstix. I carry them at my preferred length for standing, so they act like a trekking pole (albeit a bulky but not heavy one). I can then have them deployed and my gun on them in 5 seconds or less. As long as I remember to set a good base with my feet, it is an amazingly stable setup. No army needed.

med358-boise said:

Stool coupled with a tripod is also great for folks with a bad knee who have difficulty getting all the way down on the ground.

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Getting down is easy, gravity is your friend. Getting up...... sometimes requires a block and tackle.

I had to give my PH the stink eye a time or two when he tried to put sticks in front of me on 40 yard shots

dennisinaz said:

I had to give my PH the stink eye a time or two when he tried to put sticks in front of me on 40 yard shots

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Some professionals think that all clients are amateurs!

When/if a client misses…..it's always the PH's fault. I think that's probably somewhere in the paperwork involved! memtb

AZHTR said:

"Rear Support" seems to be my issue. 600, 700, 800 yards I can see my heartbeat in the scope. I try to minimize holding on to the rifle. The Arca rail looks nice, but I believe supporting the rear of the rifle would still be my issue.

I'm an old man now and I'm not sure how i would do dragging around a super heavy tripod. I do have a Manfrotto/Bogen I could try!

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I see my heart too. Sit down behind your tripod and get rear support. Pack, stick, trekking pole, etc., anything to get support. I also like to fill gaps to support my legs, arms, etc. with jackets, packs, pillows, etc.

If you are close to me in AZ, I will show you simple tripod shooting positions. I have shown them to friends in camp and then they have made 500, 700, and 1000 yard shots on coues and elk in AZ with my gear. I have sold guys on the methods I learned pretty easily. They flat work.

AZHTR said:

OH we found the butt of the rifle was "super critical" to holding the crosshairs on the deer.......

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The head holds the rifle perfectly balanced....no need for any other supports other than your shoulder