Bench Rest Question

[Franco]

Any advice/suggestions on a good quality portable bench rest? We've got pigs and coyotes coming into our new pond and I am taking measures to eliminate them. I've ordered a steel trap, and purchased a Danial Defense DD5V4 AR and a Hill Country Rifles Pathfinder Predator bolt action, and outfitted both with Pulsar Thermion scopes.
There are several locations which afford unobstructed views of the entire pond ranging from 100 to 150 yds. My barn is a bit over 300 yds and has limited views. Game cameras monitor the entire area. I'm thinking a small tent with a bench rest would good place to start.

Thanks

 

[Rimbaud]

This is a matter of personal preference, but I’ve always tried to stay off the bench for everything but zeroing rifles. Perhaps give some thought to a good chair, and some good shooting sticks.

 

[Franco]

This is a matter of personal preference, but I’ve always tried to stay off the bench for everything but zeroing rifles. Perhaps give some thought to a good chair, and some good shooting sticks.

I've shot off sticks without any issues, and I'm not opposed to trying what you suggest. I am thinking a bench would provide a stable, hands free platform for the thermal which I could then monitor with my phone or Ipad. Either way, a comfy chair is a must.

 

[K-man]

I have shot both off bench rests and sticks. A bench rest will not allow enough lateral movement to make multiple shots that may be necessary on pigs. I practice enough off sticks to be comfortable out to 300+ yards. If you only want one shot per session, then a bench rest will work. Similar to a leopard blind.

 

[Franco]

I have shot both off bench rests and sticks. A bench rest will not allow enough lateral movement to make multiple shots that may be necessary on pigs. I practice enough off sticks to be comfortable out to 300+ yards. If you only want one shot per session, then a bench rest will work. Similar to a leopard blind.

Excellent point, thank you. In my limited experience with sticks, when a second shot was required the majority of the time I came off the sticks and shot off-hand which proved more successful than getting tangled up in the sticks. Perhaps more practice is in order.

Range isn't the issue, it's the idea of sitting there for an extended time holding the butt of the rifle. maybe the solution would be a combo of both - leave the rifle on the bench to monitor the area, and transition to the sticks to shoot.

 

[Fatback]

I use a bog pod death grip tri pod that can hold the rifle when not shouldered for shooting. It’s what I use to sight in my big bite rifles so I can shoot standing up and manage recoil better. They are adjustable height wise so you could adjust them to the proper height if you we sitting in a chair.

 

[Franco]

I use a bog pod death grip tri pod that can hold the rifle when not shouldered for shooting. It’s what I use to sight in my big bite rifles so I can shoot standing up and manage recoil better. They are adjustable height wise so you could adjust them to the proper height if you we sitting in a chair.

Thanks, ordered one.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

 

[DillonG]

I use a bog pod death grip tri pod that can hold the rifle when not shouldered for shooting. It’s what I use to sight in my big bite rifles so I can shoot standing up and manage recoil better. They are adjustable height wise so you could adjust them to the proper height if you we sitting in a chair.

This is the best strategy. My wife uses one for deer hunting. Haven’t had issues and it will solve your biggest problems.

 

[375Fox]

Can’t help you on the bench rest but you should set traps in 2s or 3s. If you catch 1 coyote there is a fair chance of catching a second. I also use it to bait each set with a different lure and leaves a good set in case you catch a non-target animal.

 

[Russ16]

View attachment 656172View attachment 656173View attachment 656175

That’s a slick setup.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

That’s a slick setup.

Thanks. Home Depot has the plywood (Baltic birch) and knobs. Pipe insulation for fore end rest cushion didn't work out. Not tough enough. I simply covered it with Gorilla duct tape. Carpeting would probably be better.

 

[Franco]

View attachment 656172View attachment 656173View attachment 656175

Nice -

 

[Franco]

Can’t help you on the bench rest but you should set traps in 2s or 3s. If you catch 1 coyote there is a fair chance of catching a second. I also use it to bait each set with a different lure and leaves a good set in case you catch a non-target animal.

I hadn't thought about trapping the coyotes, just the pigs; but that's a great idea. Live traps or jaw traps? There's a lot of them in the area, I hear them every night. There's several cattle ranches on either side of us.
What is your bait of choice?

 

[375Fox]

I hadn't thought about trapping the coyotes, just the pigs; but that's a great idea. Live traps or jaw traps? There's a lot of them in the area, I hear them every night. There's several cattle ranches on either side of us.
What is your bait of choice?

Leg hold traps if legal where you live. I would never expect to catch one in a live trap. Coyote are extremely cautious. If you’ve never trapped before it’ll be a big learning curve but I’d look up “coyote dirt hole set” on YouTube and buy a handful of 4 coil #2s set in pairs about 10 feet apart. I’d toss a stick of gland lure and a stick of call lure at bottom of hole, but if you are just starting a stick of coyote gland lure and small (tablespoon size) scrap of deer meat will be fine too. I’ve never actually caught one myself. I use to trap a lot for fox, raccoon, muskrat, mink, beaver but there have never been many coyotes where I live. I’ve gone along on a few successful coyote catches but unfortunately there just isn’t a market anymore to really justify trapping. I really use to enjoy it a lot.

Yodel Dog - Caven's

Caven's Yodel Dog - Coyote Gland Lure A very thick, long-lasting natural gland lure that will really stir up those howlers. Yodel Dog is made from glands aged to perfection and is not only the answer to post sets but really dresses up your dirt hole and flat sets. If you've never tried a coyote...

mntrapline.com

 

[Franco]

Leg hold traps if legal where you live. I would never expect to catch one in a live trap. Coyote are extremely cautious. If you’ve never trapped before it’ll be a big learning curve but I’d look up “coyote dirt hole set” on YouTube and buy a handful of 4 coil #2s set in pairs about 10 feet apart. I’d toss a stick of gland lure and a stick of call lure at bottom of hole, but if you are just starting a stick of coyote gland lure and small (tablespoon size) scrap of deer meat will be fine too. I’ve never actually caught one myself. I use to trap a lot for fox, raccoon, muskrat, mink, beaver but there have never been many coyotes where I live. I’ve gone along on a few successful coyote catches but unfortunately there just isn’t a market anymore to really justify trapping. I really use to enjoy it a lot.

Yodel Dog - Caven's

Caven's Yodel Dog - Coyote Gland Lure A very thick, long-lasting natural gland lure that will really stir up those howlers. Yodel Dog is made from glands aged to perfection and is not only the answer to post sets but really dresses up your dirt hole and flat sets. If you've never tried a coyote...

mntrapline.com

I've baited - lions, leopards, crocodiles, caught alligators on baited hooks; as for trapping - mice and gophers are about it. I did catch a skunk once in a live trap, getting him out was not a pleasant experience. I will watch the videos and buy some traps; sounds like it might be fun. Thanks for the info.

Where we lived in California, the vineyards were full of coyotes, they would bite through the drip irrigation lines to get water.

Here's a picture of the track I found at my pond. There were several more at water's edge, and a few muddy prints on the spillway.

 

[Russ16]

My friends who trap coyotes in the dakotas all use snares. They have some elaborate setups with bait in the middle and snares on the paths in. But I can’t recommend them I hate them have had two bird dogs caught in them that had to be cut out. Hate them for that reason.

 

[Luvthunt]

Shot PDs for 15+ years and the best portable bench I found was the Hench Bench from Faith SD. Easy to set up and take down and I could sit on the bucket seat and turn the bench left or right while sitting.
If you are interested in trapping coyotes sign on to Trapperman (free) and follow the talk.Plenty of folks on there with pics to back up their writings.
Good luck

 

[BeeMaa]

Whatever you do, it needs to be adaptable and portable. Coyote and hogs will always pop up in unexpected spots and you will need to change your shooting position or strategy. You will also need to move around because these are smart animals and will learn where not to go.

I have BOG-POD tripod and bipod sticks for use inside a blind that provide options when it comes to situations like this. I like this because my movement is hidden by the blind, it provides a high degree of weather protection and is portable. Set up time is likely less than 10 minutes and with some pre-scouting this can be very effective.

Other options like bipods mounted to the forward sling swivel (or other means of attachment) while using a layout style blind/ghillie suit. Of course weather protection and the game seeing your movement is sacrificed, but it's much lower profile, more mobile and easier to hide.

This is also one of the only hunting scenarios that I would recommend using a suppressor. Keeping the noise down will make it more difficult for the game to determine your location and opening up the possibility of a second animal or more.

 

[Franco]

Shot PDs for 15+ years and the best portable bench I found was the Hench Bench from Faith SD. Easy to set up and take down and I could sit on the bucket seat and turn the bench left or right while sitting.
If you are interested in trapping coyotes sign on to Trapperman (free) and follow the talk.Plenty of folks on there with pics to back up their writings.
Good luck

I'll check it out, thanks.