[christian1]

Anyone using shooting sticks or some type of rest for tree stand hunting? Let me know what you have found to be effective to steady your bow.

chris

 

[tpcollins]

I have (4) Trigger Sticks - a mini and a regular Unipod, a bipod, a tripod. and a homemade kneepad that works really well in a stand.

I even got the upper joint from Steady Eddy from and made one from a telescoping ski pole.

 

[rt2bowhunter]

My advice is to practice shooting free handed if you can. I found trying to take a rest out of a tree stand where i hunt was a waste of time. It just wouldn't work. The deer was either above the ability of the trigger stick or to close to use it. I just started shooting them freehand.

 

[R. Toker]

I practice freehand all summer out to 45-50 yards. Made a 42 yard freehand shot on my buck this past fall. Practice brings confidence

 

[rt2bowhunter]

I don't practice freehand like i used to. But now i'm 100% in a blind of some kind. There i have a good rest so i don't need to.

 

[Huntersthompson]

I use the shooting rail in my stand but a Allen shooting stick in blind.

 

[christian1]

Thanks for the input

 

[iLOVEthehunt]

My buddy uses the steady eddy. It takes a little practice but works really well for him. He and I have found that any rail on a ladder stand just gets in the way 90% of the time.

 

[Gabowman]

In my Summit I hold the xbow but prop my elbow on the rail. If shooting behind me I prop against the tree to steady me. From my ladder stands I prop on the rails. I try my best to find SOMETHING to prop against to steady me up.

 

[bigbird1]

My height really comes in handy when using a ladder stand with a shooting rail. My rails are all adjustable in height so they never get in the way. I can even step down with one foot on the top ladder rung to turn to the extreme left or right and still use the shooting rail. Hence, no need to ever shoot offhand and a narrow crossbow like my R10 is the cat's meow.
As far as hunting from the ground, I rarely do but when I do, I always use my Primos Polecat quick connect shooting sticks. Those suckers are awesome in my opinion and I use them exclusively for practicing with broadheads.

 

[christian1]

My height really comes in handy when using a ladder stand with a shooting rail. My rails are all adjustable in height so they never get in the way. I can even step down with one foot on the top ladder rung to turn to the extreme left or right and still use the shooting rail. Hence, no need to ever shoot offhand and a narrow crossbow like my R10 is the cat's meow.
As far as hunting from the ground, I rarely do but when I do, I always use my Primos Polecat quick connect shooting sticks. Those suckers are awesome in my opinion and I use them exclusively for practicing with broadheads.

I have used the stand as a rest also, but sometimes I wish I could have something better. Just checking to see what everyone else is using.

chris

 

[Iron Duke]

I put ... rails on all my treestands. Nothing steadier and nothing allows more field of fire coverage. In blinds I'll use a DOA shooting bench most of the time. If necessary I'll use a tripod but that turns into a clown show with deer moving around. Tilting, leaning, just a PITA.

 

[christian1]

I put ... rails on all my treestands. Nothing steadier and nothing allows more field of fire coverage. In blinds I'll use a DOA shooting bench most of the time. If necessary I'll use a tripod but that turns into a clown show with deer moving around. Tilting, leaning, just a PITA.
View attachment 224518 View attachment 224519 View attachment 224520 View attachment 224521 View attachment 224523
View attachment 224525

Which shooting rail did you use ?

chris

 

[R. Toker]

One thing I’ve found when shooting traditional draw crossbows is they don’t like to be strangled with the offhand. My offhand serves as nothing but a platform to rest on. I tuck my left elbow tight against my side. With a reverse draw it’s a good idea to hold on tighter with the offhand as they recoil differently. The famed Wyvern explained “lurch”.

 

[tpcollins]

My offhand serves as nothing but a platform to rest on.

The Artillery Hold.

 

[Huntersthompson]

Recently bought a Ameristep 2 man chair blind. First Thu g I did was set it up and test to see how shooting stick work in it. Really well,stick takes up no room and maneuverable. I think lot of shooters here prefer a tripod setup.

 

[Huntersthompson]

Either way , much steadier than free hand.

 

[Gabowman]

The rails on my ladder stands were too low so I cut two 1 X 4's and notched the top and bottom of them. The notches fits the railing and sits on the corners of the mesh wire floor. I cut them to the length to raise the rails to about chest high when I'm sitting. I have military style camo zip tied to the rails. If the deer I want to shoot comes in too close I can lay my arms and the crossbow over the rail to shoot almost straight down. Otherwise I lay the forearm of the crossbow directly on the rail to make the shot. With the 1 X 4's on the corners the rail is now rock solid.

 

[KTownKiller]

The rough cut, Fir railing on my back deck worked great as a rest this last fall!!!!

 

[JOE PA]

I practice free hand and shoot 3D, shoot with my elbows on legs, and have a shooting rail on one of my stands. Also use the Ready-Shot shooting stick. If the shot angle presented doesn’t allow it’s use, it can just hang from my wrist during the shot. Very versatile .