Hunting Sticks

[375 Ruger Fan]

I’m a fan of two sticks/bipod for dangerous game. Quicker to get on and off them. If you are hunting South Africa with longer shots a tripod will be more stable.

When I hunted with John Sharp in the BVC, the two sticks/bipod systems is what he used. Once you get the hang of them, adjusting elevation by moving slightly forward or backward is really simple.

 

[Sabre]

Thanks for the question. There twists on each leg to adjust the height. Not easy with alert heard females ready to give the game away. These are all tough shots that need to be threaded through branches.

If I am understanding you correctly I would say that your error is in trying to adjust the settings on the legs each time you want to make adjustments to the height.

Once you set them to generally the right height for you, you can get a lot of adjustment in height just from maneuvering the legs further apart or closer together.

If I am getting this wrong or missing something, let me know and I will try and help further.

I have generally found the same as 375Fox in that there are certain times when quad sticks can be difficult to maneuver, but the vast majority of times they are pretty easy to work, quick, and much more stable.

Of course the main thing you lose is the ability to pan left and right super fast smooth and easy as something like the triggersticks. But the trade off is worth it when shooting over about 150 yards in my opinion.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The extra movement and swearing is user error. In your case if you had made any attempt to practice with quad sticks before or after the results would have been different. The terrain you post in your photos is well suited to quad sticks. There have only been a few areas and terrains I felt a tripod is better suited.

Yes, you know so much about where and how I hunt.

 

[festuscat]

When I hunted with John Sharp in the BVC, the two sticks/bipod systems is what he used. Once you get the hang of them, adjusting elevation by moving slightly forward or backward is really simple.

I cut 2 pieces of cane about 6 feet in length and connect/ tie them with a piece on inner tube about 6-8 inches down form the top.
What works for me is I angle them out and press against them to steady the gun vs using them as a vertical rest.

 

[Sideshow]

Just gotten back from the range. Bank Holiday here and great weather 26 degrees lovely cool breeze.
This quad stick thing has been bugging me since my last outing and wanted to get a better grip on it.
2 hours of playing about and Ive got it sorted more or less. This might help a few guys that are having the same issue.

So here is how I set up my sticks that work well for me.
Stick adjustment. The front rest need to be slightly lower than the rear V an inch is about right.

Rifle on right shoulder sticks in left hand.
You see your target and place the sticks with the bases out front of you but keeping the sticks rifle rests at belt height.

Then take your rifle and place the stock in the rear V I’m right handed so rifle is held by the pistol grip.

As you place the rifle in the rear V of the sticks you use your left hand to push forward on the sticks also taking half a step forward with your left foot.
(Sorry no pic not enough arms )
This brings the fore grip of the rifle onto the front rest and at the same time lifts the quad sticks up the preset position. So you will now be standing up right in the off hand position.

I can do all of this without taking me eyes from the target and in under 3 seconds.

The reason the rear V rest needs to be higher than the front is as you place the stock into it and as you push forward with your left hand the front rest is not catching on the rest of your rifle. I found that I can still pan left right and be straight onto target as soon as that fore end was on the sticks and my head touched the stock.

Now this still didn’t solve my original problem of height adjustment for shooting under trees in front etc. My sticks you cant splay the legs very far.

But if you go through the above steps then take the fore-end off the front rest and slide it down the left hand front leg you can then take these lower shots. Like this.

You can see from this pic that the sling helps support the rifle, you still have the stock in the rear V and its stable. I'd not shoot past 100 yards but for deer inside 80 this will more than do. The only thing you can’t do fast is pan left or right. I can go to position of right knee down and left leg supporting left hand sticks which you can then lift to move left or right. But the main thing is you can get on target and also have a very steady platform to take your shot from.

Hope this helps

Cheers SS

 

[Sabre]

Just gotten back from the range. Bank Holiday here and great weather 26 degrees lovely cool breeze.
This quad stick thing has been bugging me since my last outing and wanted to get a better grip on it.
2 hours of playing about and Ive got it sorted more or less. This might help a few guys that are having the same issue.

So here is how I set up my sticks that work well for me.
Stick adjustment. The front rest need to be slightly lower than the rear V an inch is about right.
View attachment 709365
Rifle on right shoulder sticks in left hand.
You see your target and place the sticks with the bases out front of you but keeping the sticks rifle rests at belt height.View attachment 709367
Then take your rifle and place the stock in the rear V I’m right handed so rifle is held by the pistol grip.
View attachment 709368
As you place the rifle in the rear V of the sticks you use your left hand to push forward on the sticks also taking half a step forward with your left foot.
(Sorry no pic not enough arms )
This brings the fore grip of the rifle onto the front rest and at the same time lifts the quad sticks up the preset position. So you will now be standing up right in the off hand position.

I can do all of this without taking me eyes from the target and in under 3 seconds.

The reason the rear V rest needs to be higher than the front is as you place the stock into it and as you push forward with your left hand the front rest is not catching on the rest of your rifle. I found that I can still pan left right and be straight onto target as soon as that fore end was on the sticks and my head touched the stock.

Now this still didn’t solve my original problem of height adjustment for shooting under trees in front etc. My sticks you cant splay the legs very far.

But if you go through the above steps then take the fore-end off the front rest and slide it down the left hand front leg you can then take these lower shots. Like this. View attachment 709369You can see from this pic that the sling helps support the rifle, you still have the stock in the rear V and its stable. I'd not shoot past 100 yards but for deer inside 80 this will more than do. The only thing you can’t do fast is pan left or right. I can go to position of right knee down and left leg supporting left hand sticks which you can then lift to move left or right. But the main thing is you can get on target and also have a very steady platform to take your shot from.

Hope this helps

Cheers SS

If the legs of your sticks won't go out very wide to make quite a bit of elevation adjustment easily, I would strongly recommend getting different sticks.

To me, that is a benefit of the quad sticks that I wouldn't give up.

 

[375er]

Thanks for the question. There twists on each leg to adjust the height. Not easy with alert heard females ready to give the game away. These are all tough shots that need to be threaded through branches.

You should be able to change the height in a wide range simply by spreading the legs apart laterally if you had them set to be used standing

 

[Red Leg]

I resisted the two point rest styles for quite a while - never had an issue with local bipods or tri pods - still don't for that matter. However the dual rest designs are catching on and have evolved into very useful products. Most of my guides in recent years in Europe have had then or were thoroughly familiar with them employing mine.

The first I purchased were a Blaser design. They work as advertised, but are very heavy, complicated, and a real burden for international travel. A couple of years ago I purchased a set of the fiber 4StableSticks from JJ Perodeau. They are amazing. The fiber makes them extremely quiet, they weigh nothing, legs spread quickly and quietly for any height, and break down into a travel packet of a few ounces and around 24" in length.

I will be renting a rifle in Argentina in March, but my sticks will travel with me.

4StableSticks® shooting stick - Send us an email to order at JJ@JJPERODEAU.COM

This innovative shooting stick offers a stability that is practically equal to a shooting bench. It weighs only 1.5 Lbs. on average and once folded, it will fit in a gun case or on the dashboard of your truck.It is easily adjustable in height, windage and elevation.Four models are available...

jjperodeau.com

Ultimate Carbon Shooting Stick | 4 Stable Sticks USA

Elevate your hunting game with the Ultimate Carbon from 4 Stable Sticks. Unparalleled accuracy, stability, and lightweight design for perfect shots.

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[Red Leg]

Yes, you know so much about where and how I hunt.View attachment 709262View attachment 709263View attachment 709264
View attachment 709265

I have had sticks along nearly everywhere I have hunted in Canada, Africa and Europe in rough terrain. That would include the Alps, the Gredos, the Los Puertos, the Bakony, the Erongo, the Waterburg, and BC coastal range among others. I would estimate a bit more than a third of the game was taken from hasty rests and the remainder from sticks. I have not experienced the excess fiddling or swearing. Simply employ the technique that works best for a given situation.

 

[Sabre]

I would estimate a bit more than a third of the game was taken from hasty rests and the remainder from sticks. I have not experienced the excess fiddling or swearing.

You are a better man than me. I frequently find myself experiencing excess fiddling and swearing. But that has very little to do with shooting sticks.

 

[jbirdwell]

I used the Viper Flex Journey in Africa and made them a gift to my PH. I went with the 4Stable Sticks this time but I’m not quite as comfortable on them as the Viper Flex. They are more sensitive to rifle weight and how much force your body adds. They tend to flex a little bit more but I’m getting better with my form and will be using them on a Nilgai hunt in November.