shooting sticks?

[Biggdawg]

I saw this talked about in another thread but didn't want to hijack the thread.

Is it ok or common practice to bring your own shooting sticks?

I have been practicing with my 3 legged sticks -- i just shoot better off of the 3 legs versus 2, my sticks are convertible so i can use them either way.

what are your thoughts on 2 versus 3 legs?

just didn't know if it was frowned upon to bring your own or not.

thanks

 

[toxic111]

I brought my own since it was what I was practising with. I found that I also shot better kneeling, and my PH didn't have short sticks, so we used mine quite a bit.

 

[enysse]

Sensitive subject: I've seen PH's get upset about it, like their equipment wasn't good enought. But I reminded them, I wanted to use what I felt comfortable with shooting. Still many will press the issue...it's called pride. Lucky for most hunters, Ph's usually have good sticks. Some like the 2 stick or bipod...and I really don't care for most of them, some are OK ( I felt comfortable). I just think 3 stick (tripod) is the way to go.

 

[Biggdawg]

i am planning on bringing a bipod or 2 for the guns also but from what i have been reading most of the shooting may be from sticks. i just want to be prepared.

my better half has accused me on many occasions of being ocd, anal, over thinking -- lol you get the idea.

 

[Grady]

Get in touch with your PH now, and talk this one thru with him. On the thread you you will find many different people with just as many opinions. Just to start, here is my opinion.....I would bet any good PH would prefer that is client is comfortable and competent with which ever stick are used. A clean and ethical kill is the goal on any safari. If that means you, the paying client, need to use the sticks that you are comfortable with, then so be it. I am sure if you talk it out with your PH before you arrive, you will avoid the hurt pride if any.

 

[billc]

I take the ones we use here with me.Just feel more comfortable to me and my son.Have never had a Ph question why we did it and if they did would just say it is what we like to use.

 

[PlainJane]

Boy I'm on a roll today! They sell some amazing ones at the conventions, so I figure there must be a reason for that. Plus, if your'e short on cash they make an excellent gratuity. Not my sticks though, there was no way I'd ever part with them! They were as much a trophy as the animal!!
I brought my own and my PH didn't even bat an eye. He was relieved in fact., knowing that I was comfortable and experienced with them. Carry them, Period! A professional PH would never have an attitude or ego problem regarding such an issue. Again, just my opinion, but also something I would demand because it's my hunt and I want to be secure in my ability to shoot both accurately and with full confidence.

:devil:

 

[PlainJane]

Oh and one more thing, if you do bring your own make sure your PH and trackers get familiar with setting-up your sticks beforehand. While your'e sighting in is usually the best time of course but defo set aside some time for that. They need to be able to set the sticks up fast for obvious reasons, you don't want them to fumble around while you have the perfect shot. Everything happens in a millisecond.

 

[Code4]

I have't taken my own sticks. They are just another thing to pack when space and weight is at a premium.

The PH will have a perfectly serviceable set of sticks and adapting has not been a major issue for me. I took a bipod on two hunts when I was in the grassveldt. That was very useful and I left it there to safe weight for curios.

Shooting sticks have joined the marketing realm of 'must haves' (like exotic boots) for an African trip.

 

[PlainJane]

Sorry for chiming in on this and other threads guys/gals. Seems I have an opinion on everything where I really don't have a right to. Please forgive. Ugh.. A big fault of mine.
Jane try to keep big mouth shut!! Jane think she know it all!! Jane of all trades but mistress of none..
So sorry again and thanks for putting up with me AH..

 

[enysse]

Sorry for chiming in on this and other threads guys/gals. Seems I have an opinion on everything where I really don't have a right to. Please forgive. Ugh.. A big fault of mine.
Jane try to keep big mouth shut!! Jane think she know it all!! Jane of all trades but mistress of none..
So sorry again and thanks for putting up with me AH..

Your thoughts are good as anyone else's. It gives other people perspective information.

 

[peras]

I use a tripod and always prefer them.No problem if a client brings his own,always better working with something you know.I must add like Jane said just get your PH familiar with it,you dont want to be staring at a special trophy and the PH doesnt know how to open the sticks.

 

[Bushman10]

So most PH's will have bi-pod shooting sticks made from actual sticks of wood from a tree as opposed to the aluminium and plastic ones you buy in a shop. These are only of one length and the height is adjusted by how wide apart the legs are placed. The reason why tri-pods are not popular in this make is because the stiff non-adjustable wooden sticks don't always have a level place to stand and setting up quickly for a tri-pod wooden shooting sticks on rocky terrain or uneven ground could take longer than the split second you have.

The modern aluminium and plastic shooting sticks are height adjustable. There are two different types - the type with a quick release handle/trigger at the top or the ones that you have to adjust on the leg itself by tightening a plastic lug. On uneven terrain the same problem exist with the tri-pod pre-set ones (tightening lug on the leg) as with tri-pod wooden shooting sticks. The latest trend I have seen is the quick release tri-pod ones which provides a stable platform, is easy to adjust on uneven terrain and quick to set up.

There is one last problem with the tri-pod ones which a client insisted on handling himself on a hunt. He pressed the quick release trigger, the legs would drop to their full length and then he would place the unit on the ground. That "click" of the legs hitting their full length frightened the animals. The proper technique is therefore to place the unit on the ground and then press the trigger and raise the handle to the correct height. The uneven terrain is immediately compensated for and you have no noise. Make sure your PH or guide practices the correct way of handling your quick release tri-pod shooting sticks before going to the bush.

 

[Biggdawg]

Thank you all for the great info. lots of stuff to think about.

I love this forum. going to have a talk with my ph and go from there. will also practice with a few different types of sticks.

I want to minimize mistakes or problems if i can.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Thank you all for the great info. lots of stuff to think about.

I love this forum. going to have a talk with my ph and go from there. will also practice with a few different types of sticks.

I want to minimize mistakes or problems if i can.

The one that surprised me and made me some what uncomfortable was the use of the PH's shoulder as a rest.

Try that, just in case. Make sure the provider is wearing ear protection.

 

[Biggdawg]

The one that surprised me and made me some what uncomfortable was the use of the PH's shoulder as a rest.

Try that, just in case. Make sure the provider is wearing ear protection.

I think i will try to avoid that it would make me very uncomfortable to do that.

 

[Diamondhitch]

So most PH's will have bi-pod shooting sticks made from actual sticks of wood from a tree as opposed to the aluminium and plastic ones you buy in a shop. These are only of one length and the height is adjusted by how wide apart the legs are placed. The reason why tri-pods are not popular in this make is because the stiff non-adjustable wooden sticks don't always have a level place to stand and setting up quickly for a tri-pod wooden shooting sticks on rocky terrain or uneven ground could take longer than the split second you have.

Do the 2 legged sticks not land uneven on uneven ground? Tripods work just as well when set on a slope (a reasonable slope) with all legs the same length as they do on level ground. I see no advantage to 2 legged sticks in this instance.

 

[Diamondhitch]

The modern aluminium and plastic shooting sticks are height adjustable. There are two different types - the type with a quick release handle/trigger at the top or the ones that you have to adjust on the leg itself by tightening a plastic lug. On uneven terrain the same problem exist with the tri-pod pre-set ones (tightening lug on the leg) as with tri-pod wooden shooting sticks. The latest trend I have seen is the quick release tri-pod ones which provides a stable platform, is easy to adjust on uneven terrain and quick to set up.

Quick fix. leave the height adjustable ones extended at all times when hunting, then they will be just like wooden ones in this regard.

 

[Diamondhitch]

There is one last problem with the tri-pod ones which a client insisted on handling himself on a hunt. He pressed the quick release trigger, the legs would drop to their full length and then he would place the unit on the ground. That "click" of the legs hitting their full length frightened the animals. The proper technique is therefore to place the unit on the ground and then press the trigger and raise the handle to the correct height. The uneven terrain is immediately compensated for and you have no noise. Make sure your PH or guide practices the correct way of handling your quick release tri-pod shooting sticks before going to the bush.

There is no cure for stupid LOL. My guess is someone that is that careless about being quiet lacks hunting skills in many areas.

 

[Diamondhitch]

The one that surprised me and made me some what uncomfortable was the use of the PH's shoulder as a rest.

Try that, just in case. Make sure the provider is wearing ear protection.

We had to use that one the other day on Christines Elk. When we came up to her in her bed the only option was to step out in the open and fire a shot either freehand or improvise. I agree with hearing protection!