Knee vrs bipod/ shooting sticks

[Bob D]

Down here in the thick stuff of Alabama, I've had more problems with the shooting sticks when I try to get on the coyote for a shot than if i just used my knees for a brace. Actually the sticks have caused me to botch shots at coyotes even at short ranges. Lately I've had the sticks handy if I need them but have used the old knee with good results. Anybody had the same problems?
Bob

[CCP]

Bob I agree sticks get in the way more than they help when making quick shots at odd angles. I shot off my knee most of my life but still found it very  lacking at times. The best compromise I have found is the monopod it works well in most all cases for me. Works good standing sitting in a chair or on the ground. Not as sturdy as sticks but at least you can swing and see your target quickly.

[Rprince]

I try to set my sticks up so I can use them on the long shots. I can get off my sticks & use my knee for the short range stuff. This works the best for me, I never hunt without sticks.

[HaMeR]

I lost a shot opportunity to sticks. I don't carry them anymore. On the other hand my shots will rarely be over 150yds anyhow.

I think you gotta be comfy & confident in your equipment & your setups. If that means leaving the sticks at home for you then by all means leave them behind.

Just my simple theory.

[coyotehunter_1]

Crossed shooting sticks and bi-pods have their place. Like CCP said... give me a good adjustable monopod any day.

Our Walmart carries, in the camping dept., an adjustable aluminum "walking stick" (about $10.00) that looks like a ski pole. With a little flat paint or vetwrap applied for camo, it also makes a real nice walking/shooting stick.   

[msmith]

Around here your shots at anything are generally under 100 yds, so I have never carried anything. Just shoot offhand, use the knee or a tree in a pinch.

Mike

[FinsnFur]

I think I'm gonna be looking into a mono-pod myself. I started out with a Harris fold out Bi-pod and my opinion is that was the fastest way to ruin a rifle. It got to the point I hated to take the gun out. 

I'm using crossed shooting stix now...but I agree, they have their place and in 4 feet of snow doesnt seem to be one of them

[KySongDog]

This may sound dumb but sometimes I use a black knee pad (like basketball players use) on my left knee.  It keeps my knee from getting sore.  I use it for turkey hunting but it works just fine with a rifle too.  At longer ranges and open spaces, sticks or a monopod are probably best.

Semp

[Carolina Coyote]

Good question, I started out sitting on the ground and using my knee but being and old man sitting on the ground it was hard to get back up also mobility on the ground is limited, I started using a small stool that has a swivil seat and shooting sticks but as some have already said they have their limitations and can sometimes mess up a shot in tight cover. I think I will try one of the mono-pods and see how they work. cc

[FinsnFur]

Semp, how is your knee getting sore? Are you setting with one knee up and one knee on the ground?

[BigB]

I always have my bipods on my rifle.  I have needed to swing to a different angle a few times, and they haven't caused any problems.  I've even needed to raise my rifle and use my knee while the bipods were extended, and still made the shot. 

I hunt the fairly wide open places and the bipods come in handy more often than not.  I also feel more comfortable and shoot more confident with them.  I usually can see the coyotes approaching from 100 yards or more away, and you can get away with some fairly big movements if you pay attention to the coyotes body language and where he is looking.  I have swung my rifle from 11 o'clock to 3 o'clock before while the coyote was looking behind him.

I have crossed shooting sticks, but only used them a few times before I got my bipods.  I seemed to fumble around with them more instead of watching the approaching coyotes.  With the bipods, I never have to worry about them and can pay attention to the approaching game.


Brian

[KySongDog]

Semp, how is your knee getting sore? Are you setting with one knee up and one knee on the ground?

I sit on the ground (or a small turkey seat) at the base of a tree with the gun up in my shoulder and the forearm of the shotgun balanced on my left knee so I can use my hands for my box call (if I am using one).  The knee pad provides cushion for the forearm of the gun and a bigger wider spot for it.  The gun doesn't slide off my knee as easy as it does without the pad.  When turkey hunting sometimes I sit for long periods without moving or, at least, with very little movement. The pad takes the pressure spot off the knee and I can sit longer.   They make a gun rest specifically for the knee

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0044463228601a&navCount=1&podId=0044463&parentId=cat20790&masterpathid=&navAction=jump&cmCat=102607turkey-catfeathunt&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20790&hasJS=true

But I like the knee pad better.

Semp

[HaMeR]

I use that rest you posted Semp. I have one for turkeys & for deer hunting on the ground with a crossbow. There are also black rubber knee pads at Lowes for around $10/pair. They have an elastic strap with velcro. Put it on at the truck & it will stay in place all day long. I use them when I'm roofing.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=51298-1492-1L-319&lpage=none

[FinsnFur]

ahhhhhhh now I foller ya

[Frogman]

I like the Wal-Mart monopod too.  Made by Allen I think.  It is black and has a rubber padded v shaped rest for the gun at the top.  Three extensions to adjust hight.  Bottom extension is pointed.  I extend the bottom extension out about  2 - 3 inches depending on how soft the soil is.  Then I stick it in the ground about two feet in front of me usually a little off to my right since that is the hardest direction for a right handed shooter to shoot in.  Now with the AR resting on the rest I can cant it to the right or left to cover a wider area.  If the target is beyond that arc I can easily pull the point out of the ground and adjust accordingly.  If i set up with a tree or sapling close in front of me I try to set up the stick about a foot to one side or the other of the tree.  Now I can rest the rifle on the monopod and lean it against the tree.  Now I basically have a bi pod with the advantages of the monopod.  Here is the photo of my set up for the dog I killed at LBL this year.  I had to tilt the monopod to the left to make the shot.  It worked great.



Jim

[alscalls]

I have broken a couple of those mono pods from wall Mart and went back to my knee for shotgun and a gun mounted bi pod for my rifle. I have made some wooden shooting sticks for my brother in law that double as a walking stick and he said other than forgetting to bring them home they work great. I modified the plans from varmint Al's to make them. Below is the link.
http://www.varmintal.com/abifu.htm