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Poster: mickey
Subject: Re: Namibia Safari - Shooting Sticks

I never liked shooting sticks. It always seemed to take too long to set them up and they call for one more person to tag along. ...

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I've found they work best when you have a PH and a tracker. Or I suppose two trackers. One tracker has to quickly set them up for you. Or the PH could do it as well, except sometimes the PH should be concentrating on the game especially when you the client are unsure which animal is which and which to take. Hunting by yourself they are difficult to use quickly.

Also I think the extra movement often spooks game so a quick shot as soon as possible afterwards needs to be taken.

My first safari I did not use them but did on the next two.

However on balance I do like them, especially in Africa.

They allow a much steadier shot than off hand. Also there are some places even where hunting by oneself that shooting sticks of some kind are needed. One example I know of is a place I sometimes hunt fallow stag. It is flat low land country with lots and lots of small bushes for the deer to hide among. A human walking along sticks out but the deer are hidden. No tree or similar is possible for a rest and the bushes are twiggy and too weak to use as a rest. Off-hand shots of 150 plus yards are often needed. Getting closer to the deer almost always spooks them. A good place for this sort of portable rest.



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John aka NitroX

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Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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Nothing wrong with using any form of rest which increases steadiness. And shooting sticks are traditionally African. Why not?

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To me it feels like cheating.

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My shots inexplicably go awry when I use sticks.

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So it is making it more sporting to the animal .

Only joking of course.

I don't think anyone should be needing sticks on a buffalo at 20 yards. However one at 150 yards may be a different propositions. Also what about a 100 yard shot at a dik dik. Small and medium game are also relevant. Your examples are fine examples of off-hand shooting. Most people are not capable of doing that consistently.

I agree using some rests like a Harris Bipod are so steady it doesn't feel sporting, more like bench shooting. These products have their place too though. I like to use mine for head shooting hares in long vine rows.



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John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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