Does anyone use shooting sticks while varmit hunting with a call? And if they do which one works the best. Thanks Elton

I use sticks for coyote hunting. They are a very important part of my hunt.

I go to Lowe's and buy tomato stakes and a heavy o-ring to hold them together. I have them in 36" and 48" lengths. I have about $3 invested in each pair.

To get the hang of using them, I sat down in my basement and placed various height boxes around me, then I would pick up the rifle/sticks and swivel over and around the boxes. Better to learn how to work with the sticks before a coyote comes to the call.

I'll 2nd that. I've tried a bunch of different sticks, so far the one's I've made are the best!

Mine are bamboo tomato stakes from the big box home improvement store lashed together with rawhide the missus bought for me at a craft store. They work great. I've shot more than one critter off them.

quote:

I've tried a bunch of different sticks, so far the one's I've made are the best!

That's for sure. I don't know how some people charge what they do for some of those shooting sticks.

LWD

Mine are also home made. I used 3/4 x 3/4 cedar sticks bolted in the center. the plans were on Varmit Al's web site under the name Bifor pod.

I ran a small cord thru holes in the bottom of the legs so they would spread only so far. It also serves as a sling when packing gear in to a stand.

Al

My shooting sticks are with me on every coyote calling stand even though I also have a 9-13" notched-leg swivel Harris bipod on my predator and varmint rifles. While I prefer to call and shoot from the prone position, there are lots of times that won't work and the shooting sticks have to be used. I made my own shooting sticks. I used 4 foot long fiberblass rods that ranchers use to put up an electric fence. I cut them off a bit and have one set that is about 40" long and another set that is 35" long. They come with one end sharpened and I merely use Krylon Khaki Tan camo paint on them and do some off color lines and patterns to camo them a bit. One of my sets uses a small steel bolt as the hinge and I use three castration bands for the hinge on another set. I also use 3/8" rubber fuel line at the top of the sticks to avoid clicking noises and cushin the stock on the sticks.

Here's the set with a bolt as the hinge and I also used a faucet washer between the sticks.



Here's a view of the set that has castration bands as the hinging mechanism:

All good ideas. I, likewise use ones that I make myself and they work the best -- 1/2" wooden dowel rods cut to lengths of 36"and 48" with the terrain determining which set to use. I spray paint mine. I also built a standing pair for tall grass or rolling terrain when I can stand with a dead or winter tree to my back. I've killed many called coyotes shooting off of these standing sticks. I use a bipod rather than the African style tripod.

I will go as far to offer that if you are a serious hunter/caller, it is irresponsible to call and not use sticks. Try shooting 50 coyotes with and 50 without sticks and you'll see the significant difference. A professional or serious shooter uses sticks while calling - period. Mine also double as rattlesnake catchers.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I'll try making my own set of sticks. Its getting cold enough and deer season is about over, will try calling soon. Elton