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| One of Us |
Getting ready for Safari in June. Does anyone know of a range in the Houston area that permits shooting sticks? "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | ||
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Bayou Rifles Elephant Hunter, Double Rifle Shooter Society, NRA Lifetime Member, Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe | |||
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Thanks, but I'm not a member and membership applications are closed. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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After getting confortable and confidence with the loads at the range, my son and I used a scoped pellet gun in the back yard. A lot of it is about getting on the sticks, adjusting them to a correct height for you, maybe adjusting the scope setting, settling in solidly and being prepared to take a fast yet accurate shot. Builds confidence, muscle memory, and avoids developing a flinch. Can get your HR up beforehand also. Just something that worked for me as my range does not permit shooting outside the structure. A double may be a different story. Have fun on your hunt! | |||
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Dry fire, dude. Greenwood down here has no problem, but no spots open in 2016. Won't Carter's on Treaschwig allow tripods / sticks? _______________________ | |||
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PSC on Range 1. Just coordinate with a member who can meet you near the range and escort you in. Big hassle, I know...but better than not getting to shoot sticks at all! PM sent. Tim 0351 USMC | |||
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Thanks. If there is member that would like to shoot this weekend or just about any afternoon next week. I'd love to meet. i have used my sticks some but really would like some more practice. I understand that membership applications are not being accepted. I am a member of NRA as well as Houston Safari Club. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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| Administrator |
If you have used your sticks already, you might have discovered that there is no magic in using them. It is basically like using a any rest. The sticks are the front, and your shoulder is the rear rest. | |||
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I've had a couple of sessions with sticks I built. Felt a bit odd at first. I just want to put more time in with them. My group will be spending a day in Dubai, I was going to email you and ask if you thought a guide would be a good idea and if so who you would recommend. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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I am not advocating anything. I am a fairly accomplished position rifle shooter and coach. I never got around to practicing off of sticks before my African Safari this past July. I told the PH at the range after checking my zeroes. He asked how I intended to shoot. I said Offhand or off of a knee depending on the circumstances. He put the sticks up, showed me a few things, and had me take a couple of shots. They are not that big of a deal. The biggest issue is your sling attachment point and where to route your sling. All that said, DryFire in the house, backyard, wherever. But remember the PH will most likely deploy his sticks and get you squared away. He may use a different set than what you practice with anyhow. PA Bear Hunter, NRA Benefactor | |||
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Agreed. Just shoot offhand, standing for a good long while, until you get pretty good at it. Then, use sticks. You'll feel like you're cheating. Because you will be.  Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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Just curious and not to change the subject, but do ranges really restrict the use of sticks? Except for a few Alaska shoots at a range I have not been to a range in a dozen years. Just wondering and why? Cal _______________________________ Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska www.CalPappas.com www.CalPappas.blogspot.com 1994 Zimbabwe 1997 Zimbabwe 1998 Zimbabwe 1999 Zimbabwe 1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation 2000 Australia 2002 South Africa 2003 South Africa 2003 Zimbabwe 2005 South Africa 2005 Zimbabwe 2006 Tanzania 2006 Zimbabwe--vacation 2007 Zimbabwe--vacation 2008 Zimbabwe 2012 Australia 2013 South Africa 2013 Zimbabwe 2013 Australia 2016 Zimbabwe 2017 Zimbabwe 2018 South Africa 2018 Zimbabwe--vacation 2019 South Africa 2019 Botswana 2019 Zimbabwe vacation 2021 South Africa 2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later) ______________________________ | |||
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| one of us |
This thread reminds me why I love living in AZ...I went shooting in the desert today and was free to shoot any position I wanted. I practice once per week off the sticks at 200 and sometimes 300 at the range 15 min from my house. I am totally confident off the sticks at 300; in fact, I can shoot a smaller group at 300 off the sticks than i can standing at 100. I like to practice all positions as it shows me exactly what I can and cannot do. | |||
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My experience: Practice a bit with whoever will be carrying the sticks, with the sticks you will be using. So he can gauge the height. This is esp. important for us LH shooters. | |||
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Our local range is owned by the Sheriffs office & does not allow sticks. I think it is a safety control issue for them. Everything is set up for bench shooting & they have very strict controls over it. I am blessed to have access to a private range where I can shoot as I please. LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show. Not all who wander are lost. NEVER TRUST A FART!!! Cecil Leonard | |||
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Might be an idea to ask the Sheriff why precisely sticks are not permitted at his range because if your thoughts are well-founded, the man must be off his rocker. If it is an unknown law then make sure the clause is included in your insurance when using them while hunting abroad. Insurance firms are just as smart as lawyers.  | |||
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| One of Us |
The range I usually use, Bailey's, south of Houston does not permit shooting off sticks for good reason. The firing line runs east and west and shots go downrange to the north. The range has a dirt berm for a backstop, and a wooden bulkhead in front of the benches to prevent shooting over the berm. North of the range is a developed area so the berm and bulkhead prevent rounds from being lobbed into the developed area. The bulk head has been hit many times. One would have to have the rifle at about 40º to hit the bulk head. If I remember my physics 45º elevation will yield maximum range for a projectile. I think it likely that a projectile from a high power rifle held at 45º of elevation would reach the Houston city limits. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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Probably the same reason it is not allowed at our range as we are in about the same circumstance. LORD, let my bullets go where my crosshairs show. Not all who wander are lost. NEVER TRUST A FART!!! Cecil Leonard | |||
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While I hate going there, the range folks at the American Shooting Center out Westheimer in the floodway, used to let me shoot off sticks in the #1 hole at 100. Then you can shoot around the bulkhead. Don't know if they allow that anymore because I've not been there since I joined Bayou Rifles some years ago. I wouldn't call and ask because the guys in the office would likely say no, but if you went there, and looked competent and could get that end position, the guy in the orange T-shirt running the range might let you do it. | |||
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Thanks may give that a try. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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| one of us |
At Baileys there is a practical pistol range East of the regular range. Talk to Barnard and maybe he will let you practice with sticks there. Old Man Bailey was a safari hunter so they do understand the special needs of safari rifle practice. Elephant Hunter, Double Rifle Shooter Society, NRA Lifetime Member, Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe | |||
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I shoot doubles off of sticks all the time at Carters Country (only on the 50 yard range, have never tried on the 100 yard range). I am also a member at Bayou Rifles and would be happy to have you as a guest. I am leaving for Burkina next week so perhaps when I get back we can find a time to meet down there. In the mean time, if 50 yards will suffice, I think you will be fine at Carters Country. [I think many of the range restrictions are imposed by insurance underwriters. For example, Carters Country will not allow a cased weapon on the range. That was an imposition by the liability insurance underwriter. The restrictions often do not make any sense to anyone other than an insurance company trying its damnedest to avoid ever paying a claim.] Mike | |||
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| Administrator |
Muletrain, Please give my best regards to Barnard. I knew them all well when I was in Houston in the 80's. Wonderful people, all the family. | |||
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Will do Sir. Elephant Hunter, Double Rifle Shooter Society, NRA Lifetime Member, Ten Safaris, in RSA, Namibia, Zimbabwe | |||
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I have been a patron of Baiey's for at least 30 years. I remember Mr. Bailey well. Place has changed very little, the response I got to the sticks was a polite no. Mike: If we can put a day at Bayou Rifes together I would enjoy it. Thanks, Richard "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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PM sent. Mike | |||
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Lawdog: If you are available, I could work in a trip to Bayou Rifles this Sunday. Shoot me a PM if you are interested. I've got some stuff I've never shot that needs shooting. Plenty of time for all the practice you are up to though. | |||
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Thanks, but I'll be at grand daughters 2nd birthday party. Sometime in early February? Best regards "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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First weekend in February is definitely out. I need to go to South Texas one of the other three to put a nilgai in the freezer, but I'm sure we could find a weekend in February that would work. | |||
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Sounds good. You must have a large freezer. Thought I'd never eat all the Nilgai I killed on quail hunt about 15 years ago. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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We pretty much only eat game and nilgai is my favorite. I have this one opportunity during the month of February to shoot a cow for the freezer. They aren't easy. I need the meat. | |||
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I'll almost certainly shoot her off of sticks. | |||
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Looked up my records, a lot longer than 15 years ago. During the Christmas Freeze of 1983 I shot my first Nilgai on the King Ranch. 30-06 180 Nosler at about 100yards. Heart/lung shot knocked him spawning. he got up and ran over a mile in a herd of about 40 animals. Shot the next one thought the neck dead on arrival. Before the freeze the ranch (Chicago Pasture) had planned a cull hunt, after the freeze there was no need for culling,, cold killed a lot of them. If I ever hunt them again I'll take my 375 H&H. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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I shot my first nilgai years ago on the San Chicago pasture as well. It was with a borrowed 7mm, which was too light and I knew it, but he was running away and I took him behind the ear, which worked. Lately, we've been able to shoot cows only and they are a lot smaller. Mostly, I've let my son shoot them. The few I've shot were with a .416 Rem. Mag., which is my go to rifle for pretty much everything. They died quietly, but you are right, they are tough. | |||
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Lavaca: Sitting in Joburg airport waiting on flight to Dubai. Great trip, took a very nice Kudu, Gemsbok, Zebra, and Wildebeasr off the sticks. Warthog offhand. Thanks for the opportunity to practice at Bayou Rifles. Sticks helped on the Kudu at 180 yds and Gemsbok at 220. "Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." Mark Twain | |||
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Lawdog: Fantastic news. Can't wait to hear details about your trip. Give me a call when you get home. | |||
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Glad you had a good trip. One more thing, I shoot left haanded so the first thing that I tell a new (to me) PH before we start is that I'm left handed, as they have to set you up on the oposite side as what they are used to. | |||
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