Best Alternatives to Shooting Prone

[bonepoint]

Looking for some input.

Our elk spot requires shooting across a canyon from a steep hillside where it is nearly impossible to set up prone. The elk go through the far side anywhere from 400-800 yards, with 500-600 being the most common shot. In years past we did our best to set up on the hillside over a boulder and our bag and that was ok for 300-450. Last year we brought up a Bog Pod tripod and that was better. It worked for 2 elk at 400-500 yards, but I tried it at 700 and missed several times. While it felt good and steady, the results say otherwise. For background, I am not a super experienced long range shooter like many on here, but I did shoot steel out to 800 yards several times before the season and felt very comfortable in making hits at 800, but that was always prone. The difference seems to be in being able to get a real solid rear rest.

Any recommendations or suggestions shooting positions on those longer shots? I do plan on practicing more this year with the tripod.

A buddy suggested that I go up there before the season and carve out a shooting pad on the hillside so I could shoot prone.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

Sitting but on ground with long bipod up front and backpack as rear rest. Carving a shooting pad works until you have to relocate. Nice to have such a good spot!

 

[rookieforever33]

Can you get on top of that ridge before the elk move through?

 

[hereinaz]

100% solid tripod front and rear support with something like pack, treking pole/shooting sticks.

I call it old man prone and can shoot kneeling better than prone because it’s just not as comfortable for me to get prone.

Here is a post with some videos. If you search using tripod and my user name I have a couple other threads probably useful, and comments on other tripod threads.

Thread 'Thread for Fast/Solid Tripod Techniques'
https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/thread-for-fast-solid-tripod-techniques.415512/

 

[43.6N]

My dad with 2 knee replacements struggles with the typical mobility required for prone shooting.
We have worked a lot over the last year to help him build good seated positions.

Key principles:
Stable front support
Stable rear support
And the “key” is something to take up the negative space between the stock and your belly/waist.

Tripod front, backpack rear in a bear-hug has worked well.

Tripod front and rear with a sleeping bag as a space filling bear-hug bag has also worked.

Practice building and breaking the position on the clock. A lot of the missing comes from inconsistent grip and cheek pressure. So practicing getting into the position so that the setup and pressure is always the same leads to the same type of consistency that you can get prone.

Good luck