Shooting rest in tussock country

So after missing my first pig few weeks ago due to a wobbly sight picture, I've been on the search for some sort of shooting rest.
The type of country I hunt in is usually full of tussock and scrub, often way too high for a bipod.

I've been doing research on shooting sticks. They come with 1 or 2 or 3 legs. More legs = more stability, but also more weight.
Just wondering everyone else prefers to use? What is the best balance between stability and mobility?

Garden stakes + Castration rings sounds like a cheap DIY option but I wonder how stable it would be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDi-u2r2QyE

Thanks

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I have the issue in Central Otago. Watching with interest.

I use a tall frame pack for a day bag and sit with it between my knees for a rest.

Quad sticks are about as stable as you can get. I’ve made a set out of bamboo that I can use when sitting.

Brian practices a lot free hand and with a manuka pole reckons he's never had a good natural rest yet. I remember him 15 years ago Tahr hunting saying 'dont ever rely on matagouri or tussock to give you a decent rest, you have to make your own rest and practise with it'.

Walking poles are a dual purpose option.

I have this issue also and run an Artcise cs60c carbon fiber tripod and Spartan Davros head, a very steady setup and ideal for flat and not so flat situations, can also be used as low as you would use a bipod too if the situation required, I have posted pics of it in other threads https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....4/#post1372579
I have successfully shot this setup out to 500 yards and no doubt it would be capable of further I just haven't tried.
the other thing I like is you can unscrew 1 of the legs and use it as a walking stick, it is very strong and light for what it is.
I run 2 spartan flush cups in my stock, 1 just in front of the mag well for using on the tripod as pictured in the other thread and a second one at the tip of the fore for use with the bipod or the tripod if shooting off it at lower heights prone.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

I have this issue also and run an Artcise cs60c carbon fiber tripod and Spartan Davros head, a very steady setup and ideal for flat and not so flat situations, can also be used as low as you would use a bipod too if the situation required, I have posted pics of it in other threads https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....4/#post1372579
I have successfully shot this setup out to 500 yards and no doubt it would be capable of further I just haven't tried.
the other thing I like is you can unscrew 1 of the legs and use it as a walking stick, it is very strong and light for what it is.
I run 2 spartan flush cups in my stock, 1 just in front of the mag well for using on the tripod as pictured in the other thread and a second one at the tip of the fore for use with the bipod or the tripod if shooting off it at lower heights prone.

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That looks rock solid. How do you find hiking with it? And is it reasonably quick to setup if you spot an animal?

This is what I use, folds together to make a pole, handy crossing rivers, just help general stability. Made out of garden sticks few small nuts and bolts although the docking ring idea would possibly be better and easier to do.
Attachment 208763

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Originally Posted by Synthetic

That looks rock solid. How do you find hiking with it? And is it reasonably quick to setup if you spot an animal?

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to be honest I haven't really had a chance to take it out for a hunt since buying it, it wouldn't be as quick as a bipod or just shooting off the top of your pack, both are skills I am reasonably proficient at if a hurried shot is required.
the legs extend in 3 sections each of which need to be unscrewed then tightened once desired length is reached, its more of a sit and spot kinda set up. The weight is definately not an issue it's plenty light enough, deer are much heavier on the other hand :yaeh am not durnk:
it is rock solid and you can also use the davros head with an optics mount for spotter scope or binos with the right adapter.

If you already have some garden stakes (or somethign similar) set up something like you have in the video and test it out at home, you can learn a lot about what works and what doesn't with dry fire practies or just playing with ideas.

If you are have time to set up a tripod in your intended shooting situation a carbon fibre tripod is an excellent option for building a stable shooting platform in basically in the field.
The downside are, that they aren't cheap, take a bit of setting up (with practise this can pretty quick), and they are can be annoying to carry if your pack doesn't have decent side straps.

@flock is on to it.
I shoot deer at night for a living and have been using shooting sticks this season. Prone with a bipod fastest and most stable, sitting with bipod legs extended fast and almost as stable, shooting sticks next best thing but not as quick to reposition for follow up shots and almost as stable. certainly good enough for me to head shoot out to 200 meters and not to difficult to carry

I used the same DIY sticks as Flock for rabbit shooting. Very effective. I covered mine in cloth tape. Makes them quieter and nicer to handle in the cold. There are commercial versions available too. Carbon fibre if you want to spend $$$.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L2K...dsportsChannel

My technique is to have two walking poles
Each pole has a number of turns of electrical tape around it 2/3rds of the way up
Leave a small end section of tape folded back in itself so about 1cm does not stock down

It you need a rest
Unwrap one lot of tape enough to loosely wrap both poles together parralel with each other
Then when you open the legs up the tape tightens and it is very stable
I do this just below the padded handles and the rifle sits nicely in the V
Works well
Relatively quick
And with some practice can be very effective
Mostly used in alpine tussoch and at animals that are not aware you are there so have some time to set up

But very quick when you've done it a few times

Rudolph Optics NZ sells collapsable quads for about $200. They are light and weigh just about nothing.

Ive been using quad sticks for years - best thing since sliced bread. I just ordered a new set, 4Deadhold, from a fella in South Africa - for rabbit culling.

90% of the time I sit and shoot off my knees...or sit frame pack in front of me and shoot off it,like Brian has said.... a single stick/walking pole is better than nothing,hold pole with thumb n forefinger and forestock with other fingers off to side of pole.... over the last 30 years Ive shot a heck of a lot of game just bracing elbows inside my knees while sitting,pretty much perfect across gullies,there is normally a slightly more open spot within 20 yards to sit in.

I find I shoot better off my knees than I do prone without a bipod, go figure. I built a set of safari sticks like flocks but same as him I found traversing them a pain, so I experimented with a piece of strap across the front it gives about 15 degrees of traverse. I used to use cattle elastrator bands to hold it together but upgraded to zip ties as they're a bit better at fixing the pivots. These double as a hill stick and are quick to deploy

Small thing but found it makes it quicker & easier, the butt end of rig trim it back so you don't have to lift the butt over so much, front end is easy to set up.
Attachment 208787

I’ve been running the primos trigger stick. It’s not a walking pole!
Also some of the reviews said they rusted when wet. I combatted that by spraying them with long life CRC.
Really good stable easy to set up. I still use the sling to lock the formend in with a single rap. Double on the forearm if I have the time and it’s an extra long shot.
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....74/index2.html See them here in post#23
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....22/index3.html And here’s young Sean on the in post#34
Light. They do make a little noise when knocking together but a bit of electrical tape sorted that.

The Y rotates to traverse is easy.

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Originally Posted by flock

Small thing but found it makes it quicker & easier, the butt end of rig trim it back so you don't have to lift the butt over so much, front end is easy to set up.
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More good stuff. I have the short end tip a different colour to the other three poles. Makes for less confusion in the heat of the moment.

Just stand pack on its end, put riffle over top, pull riffle into shoulder while pulling down on front part of sling. Riffle very solid with no movement (locked in ready to go).

This will give you clearance over tussock and a very stable shooting surface for all calibre's, saves carrying extra equipment

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Originally Posted by akaroa1

My technique is to have two walking poles
Each pole has a number of turns of electrical tape around it 2/3rds of the way up
Leave a small end section of tape folded back in itself so about 1cm does not stock down

It you need a rest
Unwrap one lot of tape enough to loosely wrap both poles together parralel with each other
Then when you open the legs up the tape tightens and it is very stable
I do this just below the padded handles and the rifle sits nicely in the V
Works well
Relatively quick
And with some practice can be very effective
Mostly used in alpine tussoch and at animals that are not aware you are there so have some time to set up

But very quick when you've done it a few times

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Do very similar but loop the wrist straps. Have shot a fair way with this setup. Pretty stable and I have them out anyway.

I started something similar in this forum a while back. One day i might win lotto and get to go there before my reflexes and nerves are to slow to have a proper go. Obviously a lot of the stuff isn't here but there is a few DIY options as well.

https://www.africahunting.com/thread...-sticks.68500/

I've tried a few different types of rests/shooting stix over the years. I've found this the best for me.
I used 8mm alluminium tubing from bunnings for the long ones. But 12mm wooden dowel is plenty. You can make them 2 piece if you want like tent poles. I also have a couple of shorter sets I use when sitting. They are made out of the hollow fibreglass tent poles with elastic inside them. They are 3 piece and "spring" open to fold up. Old TV arials are good source of ally. :thumbsup:

This knot is the best system I have found so far. I believe the Castration rings are pretty good but have not tried them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN5FSYJvP9k

The pic shows the elastic/fiberglass stix sticks folded.

I tried various tripods including trigger sticks and they do have advantages. But these are easier to carry & and certainly lighter. Forget bipods, next to useless IMO.

I got monopod which is made by carbon fiber, one leg only for my camera, light and strong. It can be used at shoot rest, enough lengths. Price are vary for that ranging from $$ to $$$$. Hope this could help

I use Primos shooting sticks. Nice and lite

I second this. I’ve started using a tripod now to, it opens up a lot of shooting options, it’s worth the extra weight IMO.
I have a RC80C with ball head, from AliExpress, but great quality, Edge of the outback you tube channel does a good review of it.

Bog fieldpod...anybody had a go with one of these???

https://www.boghunt.com/shooting-res...d/1100471.html

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Originally Posted by csmiffy

I started something similar in this forum a while back. One day i might win lotto and get to go there before my reflexes and nerves are to slow to have a proper go. Obviously a lot of the stuff isn't here but there is a few DIY options as well.

https://www.africahunting.com/thread...-sticks.68500/

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One of the reasons I shoot off sticks......so Im ready when I win lotto to hunt the big stuff:thumbsup: man its so on my bucket list!!

Whatever you choose, be sure to practise with it before going hunting.

I learnt this the hard way a few weeks back. I’d been hitting gongs reliably at 380m, then took aim at a fallow 230m across a gully off my walking poles.

The rest felt really solid, but the shot was a clean miss. The deer didn’t move far, so I tried again - and missed again. And then a third time :(

I thought maybe I’d bumped the scope, so the next time I headed out I fired a test shot first (off my pack). It was right on.

I can only assume that something about shooting off the poles changed my POI. I’m yet to confirm this but will do so at the next opportunity.

Mate has a ripper setup, he uses a snipe pod http://https://kramerdesignscorp.com/V2SnipePod.html

Really light and can stand up straight, and tuck the feet on his belt line and steady as.

They are like tent poles, break up small and clip to sling swivel so easy to throw on and off.

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Originally Posted by Stag

Mate has a ripper setup, he uses a snipe pod http://https://kramerdesignscorp.com/V2SnipePod.html

Really light and can stand up straight, and tuck the feet on his belt line and steady as.

They are like tent poles, break up small and clip to sling swivel so easy to throw on and off.

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I have Snipepods too. Can get them in standing height as well


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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

90% of the time I sit and shoot off my knees...or sit frame pack in front of me and shoot off it,like Brian has said.... a single stick/walking pole is better than nothing,hold pole with thumb n forefinger and forestock with other fingers off to side of pole.... over the last 30 years Ive shot a heck of a lot of game just bracing elbows inside my knees while sitting,pretty much perfect across gullies,there is normally a slightly more open spot within 20 yards to sit in.

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knees to elbows is my go to as well
wrap the sling around the elbow and get a push pull going and I can get quite stable

I much prefer leaning on a tree but they get a bit few and far between in that alpine arena

https://youtu.be/SB3NLx9oUm4
NZ product :)

I use the Triger Stick too. I have a two and three leg standing height, and a two leg sitting height. I use the three leg standing height one all the time when shooting with night vision. Awesome bit of kit.