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My fiancé and I just booked a honeymoon safari in Namibia and it will be my first rifle hunt in Africa. I have no experience shooting off of sticks and need to put in some serious practice time. Any recommendations on where I can find a good set of shooting sticks? "The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching". - John Wooden | ||
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Get some bamboo poles at your local nursery and make them. Use a piece of inner tube, or a big O-Ring, or I've heard of folks that use a vacuum cleaner belt -- which is essentially a big O-Ring. I'd recommend a three stick approach as it's steadier, but I've used two sticks as well and they are pretty good. On the three stick, once you've tied them together, cut one stick off, so it's not in the way. I'm sure others have a whole lot more experience with this and will give you better advice, but you can spend several hundred bucks on a real pretty set of sticks, or you can spend 5 bucks and an hour of your time on a very functional set of sticks. When you get to your camp, you'll be using the homemade version with innertubes, unless you take your own. | |||
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The Long Grass sticks are excellent. I believe that the folks at Long Grass even offer a discount to AR members. Long Grass Shooting Sticks Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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I bought the Long Grass sticks. You order them based on your height. I found them helpful in Africa,but I had a terrible time on anything over 150 yards, no matter how much I practiced. That prepared me for Africa and I knew my limitations prior to leaving. I killed game well over 150 yards but I didn't use my sticks. | |||
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I used these and took them to Africa with me. My PH enjoyed carrying them so much I gave them to him. | |||
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They are extremely well made and a great product. Melody stepped up and donated a pair for a fundraiser when we were in need. They would have been mine had I not been out of the room when the auction closed taking care of an issue for one of the exhibitors. Not only are they sturdy, functional, and easy to use and store but they look great as well. Happiness is a warm gun | |||
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Long Grass sticks are nice there about $155 by the time they are shipped to you. The Home Depot set up is about $10. Unless you plan on taking your Long Grass sticks with you...I would suggest making your self a two stick and a three stick set up and practice using both. That way you will be prepared for whatever the PH has. Mike Legistine actu? Quid scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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PAGuardian, If the 3-leg shooting sticks are awkward, try a 2 stick rest. I put my rifle up, step back, then lean into them. It really steadies the shot for me. | |||
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Left my sticks with Steve Tors in Namibia. Bought a second pair of Long Grass Sticks. | |||
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Wow! $155. They look like they are just plain sticks? Is there anything that makes them worth that much on them? I don't mean to sound negative about them but just wonder if there is anything special about them? | |||
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Nube, In my opinion there is a disease call Africa equipmentitis. Actual hunting conditions in Africa are not much different than CA, AZ, NM, and TX. But as soon as hunter books a safari it seems their $14 nylon ammo holder for their belt is no longer adequate and they must have "best quality" $75 leather ammo holder. There have been scores of posts that all start with... What is the best [fill in the blank] for Africa. It ranges from belts, to pants, to shirts. What is really funny is that much of Africa is very easy hunting in either moderate or warm weather. Back to the Long Grass sticks...they look really cool. Mike Legistine actu? Quid scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue. What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Have tried several. African Sporting Creations by my reckoning have the best and most solid locking connections. http://www.sportingwoodcreatio...ing_sticks_entry.php Elton Rambin Mail/Ship: 1802 Horse Hollow Rd. Barksdale, Texas 78828 Phone: 479 461 3656 Ranch: 830-234-4366 Check our Hunt & Class Schedule at www.ftwoutfitters.com 4 Rules of Gun Safety 1/ Treat all guns as though they are loaded. 2/ Never point the muzzle at anything you do not want to shoot. 3/ Do not put your finger on trigger until your sights are on target and you are ready to shoot. 4/ Be sure of your target and safe background. | |||
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Thanks Mike , I figured so but was not sure. I looked at a couple of websites now and it seems I am in the wrong side business! I have never shot off shooting sticks my whole life. Even in my last trip to Africa. Always found something else that was better to rest on I guess. I think it is a good idea to practice on them and if a guy could get good at them it would pay off. | |||
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The best shooting sticks are probably found in your back yard. Don't know much about trees found in the US but a few slender saplings work fine. Alternatively your local DIY shop will have dowels, curtain rods etc. I was quite impressed with a US product called a bod pod or bod stick? Something like that? ROYAL KAFUE LTD Email - kafueroyal@gmail.com Tel/Whatsapp (00260) 975315144 Instagram - kafueroyal | |||
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Bamboo is too light -- go with three broom handles and vacuum cleaner bands. Put a point on the bottom or use the screw-in part to keep the ends from moving around on you. Use them as a portable tree/tripod. 2 cents there _______________________ | |||
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Thank you for all the suggestions. I think I'll try to make my own sticks for practicing before dropping $150+. "The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching". - John Wooden | |||
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Depends if you are talking thin garden canes or bamboo the same diameter as a broom handle. I prefer bipod to tripod if I am carrying all my gear myself, but then I practise off them all the time and am comfortable standing to 150yards (5in plate), after which sitting or prone for me... | |||
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When it was time to shoot, both PH's with whom I hunted plopped down a set of homemade sapling-and-inner-tube tripod sticks that worked great, since that was what I had used for practice back home. Fairgame, the tripod you mean is called a Bog-Pod. I`ve used one for years hunting at home and it works well and is inexpensive, but when all the experienced Africa hands are telling you to pack light I found it difficult to hold up that big clunky gizmo and justify finding a place in my kit for it. Instead I just took a couple of short pieces of innertube straps, plus some duct tape and a few short pieces of garden hose to pad the tops of the sticks. With the hose split lengthwise, slipped over the tops of the sticks and taped into place, I had sticks every bit as comfortable and functional as the designer ones. Yes, at times I do get great satisfaction out of being cheap...umm, stingy...err, tight-fisted....OH! Thrifty! Yeah, that`s it...thrifty!  John | |||
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Andrew - Its the Bog Pod, and yes they are very good! | |||
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I am a firm believer in the Bog Pod. First, it is infinitely adjustable. There are inch marks on the leg so that you can set it up the same every time. The head unit swivels so you can track a moving animal without readjusting the sticks. You can swap out the head unit to switch between a spotting scope, camcorder, camera etc. There are different attachments to use as shooting rests, a V shaped one, a U shaped one as well as an actual rifle rest. I am going to Namibia and South Africa with my wife in September and I am bringing my Bog Pod. We are doing more than just hunting and I will be able to use the same unit to take steady photos, use a spotting scope for observation, take video with my camcorder and shot animals. The best part is that I can switch between the necessary equipment in seconds. Just my 2 cents.... Before my first safari I practiced religiously with the Bog Pod; dry fire, rimfire and centerfire. I believe knowing how to mount the rifle quickly, acquiring a sight picture and being confident in my set up made all the difference. I am not a great shot but any means but being able to practice with the equipment I would actually be using made for 100% one shot kills. | |||
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I like the idea of the Bog pod. I could see myself spending money like that for it! It has several uses for it. Heck I could even get the wife to buy one as a tripod witht he camera attatchment and take pics of the kids!!!! | |||
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Here's a couple of sticks I made from regular bamboo. Works fine! In this case we made two. One for standing position and one for kneeling down.  Anders Hunting and fishing DVDs from Mossing & Stubberud Media: www.jaktogfiskedvd.no ..and my blog at: http://andersmossing.blogspot.com | |||
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Try cutting 2 straight sticks about 5 1/2 foot long - cut a third that is 6 foot long with a 'V' at one end (the actual 'V' should only consist about 6" at one end of the 6 foot long 'V' stick). Hold the stick with the 'V' up right - the 'V' at the top - then rest the 2 straight sticks against the 'V' making a tripod - the ends of the straight sticks must be resting 2" below the bottom of the 'V' and using inner tube, tie all 3 sticks together. The trick is to tie them up relatively tightly and while slightly splayed. You should also wrap some of the inner tube around the tubing thats bound the 3 sticks together which makes moving each individual stick, very easy....works a charm! Something else that worked well for me...if I had to suddenly shoot from a sitting position then I would throw the tripod up and then sit down or kneel down with one of the tripod legs in front of me - grab the tripod leg with my left hand forming a fist (I shoot right handed) - rest my rifle on my fist with my index finger curled up over the barrel to steady the rifle and control the recoil...BANG! Good luck on your safari | |||
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Long Grass sticks work very well. We got to TZ and PH wanted to use his own because tracker was used to them. Sticks are definitely better than looking around for a rest at the last minute. "shoot quick but take your time" | |||
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I got a tip that worked very good for me. Cut the sticks at your own height. Then the height will work fine when the three sticks are tied together. But I'm close to 6' 8" so the regular height doesn't fit me Anders Hunting and fishing DVDs from Mossing & Stubberud Media: www.jaktogfiskedvd.no ..and my blog at: http://andersmossing.blogspot.com | |||
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+1 for the Bog Pod, I like the markings on the legs for length. I used them in Moz. last August. I personally like bipods over tripods as it is much easier to adjust height. I also modified the rest so I could rest my hand on the bipod. Practice, practice, practice you will find what works for you. | |||
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I made a pair out of electrical metal conduit to practice with at my range. Very sturdy. | |||
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VANGUARD introduced gun pods and shooting sticks with first-of-its-kind flexibility and capabilities. Pro Series line also includes models that can serve as a monopod, bipod or tripod. Pro Series is available in 11 models at a suggested retail price of $29-99. There are six Quick Stick models of varying heights with a suggested retail price range of $29-$59. http://www.vanguardworld.com/i...nd-capabilities.html Warrior | |||
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Another vote for the BOG POD. Can be used from standing from sitting and from prone. It's well made and very stable. It'll never give you splinters. With a bit of practice, you should be good out to 300 yds with the BOG POD. Bobby B. | |||
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PAGuardian, Using the sticks PROPERLY is CRITICAL. Biebs advice above is right on; that step back & leaning into the sticks gives much better stability than just placing the rifle in the sticks & shooting. I learned the hard way. Bad practice is worse than no practice. | |||
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For ease of packing and travel to Africia the above advice is good. If you like blued steel and walnut Forester's rifle stickwill go nicely. | |||
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That is a beautiful shooting stick. I have the bog-pod though and find the versatility and stability of the tripod better than bipod stick. I can and have used it as bi-pod and staff for shooting under different conditions. Von Gruff. | |||
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Bamboo poles are great. That is what I used before I went to Africa. | |||
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How small are the bog pods when folded up (ie do they pack easily)? "The true test of a man's character is what he does when no one is watching". - John Wooden | |||
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hey mike - does this mean i have to give up hunting in tennis shoes too? I don't suppose that you are interested in the silver and gold stick that i was just about to market   | |||
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Shooting sticks are an excellent addition to any safari, but I CAUTION...Nothing beats repeated practice from off-hand and kneeling positions without the sticks. If the timing allows, then use the sticks - increases chances of an accurate kill shot. However, not all shots allow for a set-up / clear shot from a stationary position... Practice both with and without sticks! Be prepared for whatever situation might arise! JW "Been there and gonna go again" JW | |||
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The reduce down to 34 in. Von Gruff. | |||
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The Long Grass sticks are the best I've seen in the U.S. -- but the best ones in Africa are whatever sticks the trackers make up for the PH -- the important part of that being I don't have to carry them from the U.S. When you get bored with life, start hunting dangerous game with a handgun. | |||
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