how do you use your bipod when hunting?

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We all have are go to bipods for are deer rifles but how do you use them and how often do they get used. i use the harris.
I still have mixed feelings about bipods, sometimes i like them, but other times i feel i don't need one, they can add extra weight and make the rifle feel front heavy. i do all ground hunting, the bipod is nice to stand the rifle up when waiting for game, but so does laying it across my legs or against a close tree.

So how do you use the or do you not even bother with them. thanks troy.
 
Don’t bother unless predator hunting over open country.

For general hunting, I much prefer shooting sticks such as what you would see in African hunting. They have their own set of disadvantages though. Like, another thing to carry. They can be useful in rough terrain as a walking stick.
 
Don't use a bi-pod here either, most of the time the grass is too high to even go prone. When it's not I've shot prone off a backpack.

I use sticks, or a Bog-Pod tripod. Past 3 bucks have all been taken off the bogpod sitting at either just under or over 300yards. We primarily hunt open walk-in areas which are a mix of row-crop and CRP.
 
I don't. Bipods are only for sighting in, plinking and varminting. Our hunting's different to yours though. No baiting, no tree stands. We walk to where the animals are then kill 'em, then walk meat out. We have some awesome vines and scrub that will grab anything poking out, and a bipod is just one more damned -thing-.
I'd warrant most shots on animals in NZ, not from position, would be rested on a backpack or jumper.
 
mostly to hold my rifle while I'm napping.
90+ of my shooting is done freehand.
what isn't has been sitting, or less often over the hood of my truck, over my backpack or a rock.
bipods are bad luck for me if seems lol.
last sheep I shot I watched him thru my scope off the bipod, walked up and shot him freehand lol
 
In the type of hunting I do a bipod is worthless because all of the shooting is in areas with grass, weeds, brush and un-level terrain which makes it nearly impossible to shoot close to the ground. What works for me is a single shooting stick that I use from a sitting position. I just grab the stick with my left hand, place the rifle forearm over my wrist, get a solid hold and shoot. It's very quick and with lots of practice I can shoot near minute of angle groups at 200 yards. I even sight my rifles in using the shooting stick and practice with a shooting stick because I need to practice just like I hunt. It works better if I can place my back against fence post or tree. What I like about a shooting stick is that I can get into position quickly and make the shot. Big mature bucks never stop moving and they only give a few seconds for the shot.
 
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I have some bipods, but so far have only used them at the range.

I keep a set similar to these in my pack all the time, not that exact brand, but basically the same thing. They take up very little room and work surprisingly well

https://www.amazon.com/Hammers-bungee-corded-collapsible-shooting/dp/B001BXVUN6/ref=sr_1_26?crid=2B6WGXDVZJBQ1&keywords=shooting+sticks+for+hunting&qid=1563452448&s=gateway&sprefix=shooting+st,aps,153&sr=8-26

And a set of these, exact brand this time. I don't always carry them, they are a bit heavier and bulkier, but I shoot almost as well with these as I do from a bench or with a bipod on the rifle. I've also used them as a walking stick a few times when crossing a rugged patch of terrain. These extend long enough to use standing if necessary.

https://www.amazon.com/Primos-Pole-62-Inch-Tall-Bipod/dp/B00BD55BMS/ref=sr_1_41?crid=2B6WGXDVZJBQ1&keywords=shooting+sticks+for+hunting&qid=1563452571&s=gateway&sprefix=shooting+st,aps,153&sr=8-41
 
No bipod for me unless its on the Woodchuck rifle. I primarily hunt from treestands or walking around. Walking I use a tree or sit down and use my leg.
 
Don’t bother unless predator hunting over open country.

For general hunting, I much prefer shooting sticks such as what you would see in African hunting. They have their own set of disadvantages though. Like, another thing to carry. They can be useful in rough terrain as a walking stick.

Ditto for me. Out west we have lots of open ground with varmints and predators. I have a turkey backpack seat with angled back support that I can sit in with a 13-27" Harris knockoff and have my rifle ready without much movement on incoming coyotes, foxes, or varmints. On the downslope of a ridge to breakup my outline with the sun at my back, and it really allows one not to be seen and limits movement to get rifle into ready as its set at it's elevation with the butt of the rifle on my lap.

But general hunting/stalk hunting, they are worthless in my book, a hinderance to be honest. Using a tree, rock, or impromptu shooting sticks (walking stick) is a much better option.

I feel out west we have a lot more options of terrain to use a bipod setup than you guys do back east with your denser topography. Our high desert is about perfect to sit, glass and call in predators and utilize a long bipod. It is even an option to go prone with a bipod in many areas, without having disruption to vision.
 
Steyr scout with an interregnal bipod and a Ching sling. The worlds most ugly and shootable rifle.

Last year I shot three deer with it. Two off hand at 50 and 160 yards and one from the bipod at 356 yards.

If I’m not carrying the Steyr I carry a set of shooting sticks , a shorter Bogpod and unless the grass is to tall I usually wind up throwing my pack on the ground and using it for a prone rest for longer shots. I use the bog pod for longer seated shots. But as mentioned I find most of my kills are made off hand or from expedient field positions and natural rests, trees, rocks etc.

In Africa I seldom use the shooting sticks unless it’s a farther shot. I do carry a set of full length shooting sticks when hunting with my girls. They are deadly off a bipod or a standing rest but have not yet mastered the art of shooting a scoped rifle off hand.
 
https://www.natchezss.com/mtm-shooters-walking-stick.html

I’ve used one of these for more years than I can remember. It works great as a hiking staff/cane, saving a lot of wear and tear on my old knees – especially when I’m going downhill in the steep country we usually hunt. And when you get to a place (for me, usually on the side of a saddle) where you want to sit down and watch or glass, you simple shove the end of the staff in the ground. It makes for a steady (if not quite sandbag solid) rest for your rifle.

Another thing you can use it for is to hang your rifle from (by turning your rifle upside-down and hooking its sling over the walking stick’s handle) while you sit and glass – or sleep.:)

Two things about an MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick though: First, after a few years, I threw that adjustable rest (the thing that slide’s up or down the staff) in a Christmas popcorn tin with a bunch of other hunting paraphernalia. I used to carry it in a pocket, figuring I might use it. But after a few deer and elk hunting seasons, I learned that I can just shove the staff far enough in the ground to achieve the “perfect” height for resting my rifle.

Second, do NOT tie your MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick through the antlers of a large buck expecting to make for an easier drag because you will have a good place to hang on. My MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick is my second one. The first one snapped in two when I grabbed it and reared back after using the paracord I always carry to tie the stick through the antlers of a large, mule deer buck. I went head over heels, backwards, down the hill. Luckily I had handed my rifle to my wife to carry out for me, and the only thing I really suffered was a little embarrassment. That, and I had to buy myself a new shooter's walking stick.:oops:
 
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All my hunting rifles balance on the front action screw.
A bipod throws off the balance and doesn't give me any advantage where I hunt.
I bought a set of bog pod sticks for my wife and could possibly see myself using them.
 
https://www.natchezss.com/mtm-shooters-walking-stick.html

I’ve used one of these for more years than I can remember. It works great as a hiking staff/cane, saving a lot of wear and tear on my old knees – especially when I’m going downhill in the steep country we usually hunt. And when you get to a place (for me, usually on the side of a saddle) where you want to sit down and watch or glass, you simple shove the end of the staff in the ground. It makes for a steady (if not quite sandbag solid) rest for you rifle.

Another thing you can use it for is to hang your rifle from (by turning your rifle upside-down and hooking its sling over the walking stick’s handle) while you sit and glass – or sleep.:)

Two things about an MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick though: First, after a few years, I threw that adjustable rest (the thing that slide’s up or down the staff) in a Christmas popcorn tin with a bunch of other hunting paraphernalia. I used to carry it in a pocket, figuring I might use it. But after a few deer and elk hunting seasons, I learned that I can just shove the staff far enough in the ground to achieve the “perfect” height for resting my rifle.

Second, do NOT tie your MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick through the antlers of a large buck expecting to make for an easier drag because you will have a good place to hang on. My MTM Shooter’s Walking Stick is my second one. The first one snapped in two when I grabbed it and reared back after using the paracord I always carry to tie the stick through the antlers of a large, mule deer buck. I went head over heels, backwards, down the hill. Luckily I had handed my rifle to my wife to carry out for me, and the only thing I really suffered was a little embarrassment. That, and I had to buy myself a new shooter's walking stick.:oops:
I bet your wife fell down the hill laughing at you. I know mine would have. Then she would run tell my brothers so they could laugh too.
 
I have never taken a shot at a game animal from the prone position. My hunting environment requires either quick shots at close ranges, or being in a tree stand or blind. I would estimate that 80% of my deer kills have been take with my elbow resting on my knee from a tree stand.
 
mostly to hold my rifle while I'm napping.
:rofl:
Make mine shooting sticks. Calling predators I sit in child's camp chair to get low enough to rest elbows on knees. Very close to as steady as sandbags on a bench.
35534423032_fa4f0d483a.jpg
Standing, lean into sticks, grasp rifle sling w/off hand and pull sticks/rifle into shoulder for steady rest.
35572531161_db14ba6c00.jpg
Needing to check a 300 yard zero, a pair of shooting sticks made impromptu target frame. Let's see ya do that with a bipod. ;)
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They also provide a bit of comfort while wading through knee high grass in rattlesnake country.
35682806945_77afd0bfed.jpg

Regards,
hps
 
I guess that I don't know how to use them properly. I have two Caldwells and have tried them on a couple of rifles that shoot 1/2" groups off of bags. My groups swelled to 1 1/2"to 2", so I leave them at home when I am hunting. I can shoot that good using a tree or log for a rest.
 
I guess that I don't know how to use them properly. I have two Caldwells and have tried them on a couple of rifles that shoot 1/2" groups off of bags. My groups swelled to 1 1/2"to 2", so I leave them at home when I am hunting. I can shoot that good using a tree or log for a rest.

Me, too. I got rid of all my bipods for the same reason. Then someone told me I needed to "load" the bipod; that is lean into it (just as I do with standing (and sometimes sitting) sticks by leaning into and pulling sticks back into shoulder. This tightens things up a lot w/sticks and it makes sense the same would be true w/bipod, but, like I said, I gave up on bipods before I "learned" that, so no first hand experience with that technique.

Maybe some of the bipod shooters can chime in on their technique?

Regards,
hps
 
Bipod techniques.

1. Do not try and shoot on a hard surface, it'll jump around and effect one's shot. If on a bench have a cushion of sorts to set the legs on rather than the concrete or wooden table.
2. Load the bipod legs.
3. Make sure it is tight to the rifle.
 
Been running leg notch 9-13 Harris since 76 for chucking. Switched to big foot version when they came out. Prone usage.

Used bipods once deer hunting. When i had my TC Contender 16 in orig form. Light front....too twitchy for offhand. So hung the bipod on for temp weight. Worked.

Deer hunting.....kill most of mine offhand 175 yards or less. If going farther i might use a bipod. Went prone and waited on a buck to hit property line....which would have been 250. No pod and if he hit the line hed have been toast. Rifle was solid....but then i had just a 4x. Lower mag keepa things less wobbly
 
Ive shot a couple from sitting....around 100 yds. A couple kneeling. But half a dozen or so at 150 offhand and a couple over that.

Really dont think about it. It just happens.
For me....100 offhand is a gimme. My hunting bud tries to take a rest for every shot.

Whatever works i reckon.
 
I shot a doe at around 100 yards prone w MZ. Had to scoot around and crawl to get into position. Late season. Snow somewhat melted. I made the shot....after laying in a puddle of water for several minutes. That sucked. But i got the deer.
 
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