Shooting Sticks versus Gun Mounted Bipods
When a hunter is getting ready to shoot at an animal one of the most important things for them to have is a good solid rest. I have seen people use trees, rocks, backpacks, or any number of things necessary to hold their gun fairly still for aiming. Two types of products that have been created for this purpose are shooting sticks and gun mounted bipods. They both actually work quite nicely in accomplishing the purpose for which they are made, but at the same time both have challenges that hunters will need to address when using them.
Gun mounted bipods mount directly to the gun itself and fold up forward when not in use. Most of these bipods have telescoping legs that will extend out to give the shooter some adjustment for the type of shot he needs to take. One of the draw backs with a gun mounted bipod is that you are somewhat limited as to the type of shot you are going to get. Most bipods telescope from about 12 inches out to no more than 27 inches, which means at best you are either shooting off of your belly or possibly on one knee. Any standing shots would be out of the question unless you are resting on a rock ledge, pickup, or some other form of rest. Another problem with most bipods is they do not swivel once the legs are set down, so forget following an animal with your scope when it is on the move.
Shooting sticks also use telescoping legs to adjust length and usually will pick up where the gun mounted bipod leaves off. This means that the legs usually extend from about 23 inches up to 62 inches, which will give most hunters the ability to shoot from a standing position, however if the shot is only available from a prone position the stick is not of much use. Some will say that one of the best advantages to a shooting stick is the ability to have a swivel on the top so that the gun is allowed to move left to right. Others will tell you that the ability to swivel is also one of the worst features as it is difficult to hold it steady.
I have use both over the last few years and had success with both; however I also hunted in the field for 20 or more years without either one and still was successful. With this said I feel that both can be used, and both can be an asset to your hunting equipment. Just make sure that whichever one is decided upon, you take them to the range and get plenty of practice with them so that they will both produce the results you desire.
