John,

Very good questions about shooting sticks for close up shots. It seems that more guides are using sticks for all shots, not just long shots. For the bear, I assume that the guide knew where the bear was but still, the it seems that the sticks would likely be unnecessary and possibly in the way.

Now on the other side, I believe taht many people cannot shoot well, particularly offhand and perhaps many guides have had too many ckliens blow shots. When I go to the range, it seems taht everyone is only shooting off the bench. Now some are excellent shots using a mechanical rest but I wonder how they would do with a hunting rifle shooting offhand,