When shooting bags won't work

[std7mag]

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.

 

[1wildcatfan]

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

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.

 

[med358-boise]

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

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.

 

[med358-boise]

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.

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.

 

[TucsonFX4]

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

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.

 

[1wildcatfan]

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.

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