Jeff Cooper’s advice for hunters was, “If you can get closer, get closer. If you can get steadier, get steadier.” Stalking game is all about getting closer but what about the getting steadier part? Short of dragging a bench rest around in the field, how can you get as steady as possible to make your shot? One way would be to shoot from braced shooting positions like kneeling, sitting and prone and another would be to make use of any available shooting rest like trees or boulders. Depending upon where you’re hunting the foliage may make some shooting positions impractical, for example dropping down to a solid prone position often means you can no longer see your game through the intervening brush. Shooting rests in the forest may be easy to come by but Western antelope hunters may find themselves miles from the nearest tree.
One of the best ways I know of to get a steady rest under field conditions is through the use of shooting sticks. Although they aren’t as widely used in the United States as they are in Africa, where their use is almost mandatory, shooting sticks are gaining in popularity. From their origins as simple sticks lashed together into a bipod or tripod, modern sticks have evolved into sophisticated shooting accessories. The ones I use and teach with are called Bog-Pods. With adjustable legs these rests can be set up for shooting from standing – to get above most brush – or shortened for a sitting or kneeling position where it’s appropriate. Moving the legs further apart or closer together adds additional, quick elevation adjustments. I like to place the rifle in the “U” shaped rest atop the sticks with the sling on the outside and the front sling swivel ahead of the rest so I can grasp it with my hand, make a fist, and wrap my thumb around the base of the rest. Then, standing with my legs spread and square to the bipod, I lean forward slightly into the sticks while pulling the rifle back into my shoulder with both hands. This really makes for a very solid shooting position. Because the rest swivels left and right, the rifle can be pointed off center or turned to track a moving target. Shooting a bolt-action rifle, I leave the rifle in my shoulder and in the rest when cycling the bolt and reloading.
Shooting sticks are a great tool for getting steadier when hunting. If you haven’t tried them you should get a set and start practicing; you might be surprised at how well they work for you. For more information visit www.boggear.com.
About the Author:
Ed Head is a regular on Shooting Gallery, Gun Stories and Down Range TV. He has worked for almost 30 years in law enforcement, first in the United States Air Force and then with the United States Border Patrol, retiring as a Field Operations Supervisor. During his Border Patrol career, Ed worked in a variety of patrol, investigative and training capacities. Ed has an extensive background as a firearms instructor, having trained thousands, ranging from beginners to police, military and special operations personnel. Having taught at Gunsite for 20 years, Ed first trained there under the world famous shooting school’s founder, Jeff Cooper, then later ran the school as the operations manager for more than five years. Ed lives in Chino Valley, Arizona, where he continues to teach and write.