Have to agree with Mike.

In Africa most of my shots on game were taken from sticks, except for the buffalo, which I shot from a hand brace against a tree. The professional hunters (guides) all carry sticks and encourage their use.

If you're planning an Africa hunt, you should definitely practice shooting from sticks.

Jim

I find that the bipods are much quicker to set up for a shot. It's a little frustrating watching my hunters fiddle around with a tripod, when a bipod is much more intuitive, quicker, and pretty much just as accurate for normal hunting ranges.

You have a point, Waggler. Getting that third foot of the tripod planted can be difficult under pressure of a shot.

Africa has a lot more level ground than Alaska.

Jim

I use Bog Pod bipod shooting sticks. Mine are a few years old now and the model name has changed. I guess the one that is similar to what I've got is the Adrenaline. 22"-62" height adjustment. It's not a "fast" deploy height wise like Primos Trigger Stick is but I adjust it to the height I want and leave it there for the duration of the hunt. Stalking, sitting, blind...it all works for me. It also has interchangeable heads for different applications. I've gotten used to them and I like em.

The field pod is the best thing since sliced bread. It is literally like bench rest shooting.

I have a love hate relationship with shooting sticks. I often say, "first thing I'm going to do on the hunt is take the hunters shooting sticks and bend them around a tree." I have watched more elk run off without a shot fired than you would ever believe, because the hunter was fiddling around with his dang shooting sticks instead of shooting it. On the other hand I've discovered there is an amazing amount of "hunters" who simply can't hit something offhand or even kneeling, even at 1-200 yards. So shooting sticks do help those people, and they are good in a blind or sitting of an evening, but I would highly urge everyone to practice simply throwing your gun to your shoulder and shooting offhand.

Primos Trigger stick

Harris " H " Bi pod for Out West

If on a stand I'll use a plain stick, like it was a sapling, still hunting is either offhand or against a sapling...but these are almost always under 100 yd shots, usually much less.

I started to hunt out of a tree saddle a few years ago and in the forums and groups I'm in people always arw complaining about not having a rest with a gun or crossbow because if the deer doesn't come out into the perfect strongside shot position, you cant use the tree or ropes to stabilize. Keep saying "there's a thing called forehand shooting".

Personally hate sticks because they're just more to carry.

I can see shooting sticks for long range shooting.
Here most hunting is short range, and only time I use a shooting stick is for turkey hunting.
Holding a gun on a slow advancing turkey is hard to keep the gun up.
I just cut a stick in the woods before setting up.

A couple of things I read so far got my attention and I would like to share my observations I have from over the years as a long range shooter and someone that stacks animals...

1) Shooting with a sling, a lost art. I use a Viking Tactics Sling, which has a quick adjustment. If you know how to use a sling it will lock you in tight. The issues I have is teaching someone how to properly use a sling, using the wrong sling and fiddling around with it. The M1907 sling is a good piece of gear, I've used it many times on service rifle matches. As far as a hunting sling not very practical for the average nimrod.

2) Shooting sticks are extremely fast to use. Yes, I've been in situations where people are fiddling around with their bipod or sticks, and I want to throat punch them with a brick. Same with a sling, they pick the wrong type they need and never practice with them. My sticks are already set up. All I have to do is set them and lay my rifle in, that's it.

3) Offhand shooting is another lost art. A normal heathy person should be able to hit a deer in the running gear out to a 100 or so yards. They should also learn to quickly drop into the kneeling, which is more practical and stable. They need to practice shooting in the unsupported prone with and without a sling. And leaning against a tree, and a fence post and a UTV hood and....

Use the tools your are comfortable with and practice with them over and over and over and over. Dry firing with your sling, sticks, or unsupported position is the key. When I'm getting ready for a big hunt I practice running with my rifle and sticks, setting up and firing at a target. I might run 25 yards or it might be a 1/2 mile, but I try to get my hear rate up. I want to have to control my breathing and remember the basics while under stress. I try to hit a 3" metal target at 100 yds. It might sound crazy, but when a once and in a lifetime trophy presents itself I want to be ready.

I got a set I made from from 2 old ski poles from a thrift store. I carry a rifle and shotgun when calling coyotes the sticks work great for holding my shotgun while I hold the rifle so I can switch up easy. I don't use the sticks much on stand for aiming seem like 1/2 the time the yote just appear out of nowhere and Im grabbing the shotgun he is so close. Now when hunting mule deer or antelope i use them a lot but i have time to set up the shot.

For my whole “Calling” career, I used my walking stick. Very accurate with a little practice. And it also saved my butt quite a few times while navigating steep terrain.

I have used ( Vern Howey ) shooting sticks for nearly 30 years. I wont and dont take a shot at anything if Im not rested over them. Whether its coyotes, deer, antelope or elk. They are under my rifles. Very versatile!

Thanks y'all, I appreciate your help!!

I have a trigger stick from Primos (I think) that was my dad's, I forgot to take it on my last hunt. A pine branch with a Y worked just fine