Best Alternatives to Shooting Prone

[HuntHarder]

In my experience, the inexperienced often forget about the rear support. It is just as important as the front for me at anything 500ish and beyond.

 

[Huntnpack 2]

From a group size and straight line, neutral recoil perspective- crossed hiking sticks in the front and a pack in the rear is about the easiest/most consistent setup to hit things if not prone. It too takes practice.

^^this^^. I like a tall bipod up front & rear support using my pack, & wiser unit crossed hiking poles
I’ll practice utilizing 1,2, or all 3 in combination.
Practice this in different seated & kneeling positions, leg positions, arms support positions, Pack position up, sideways, bear hug,
on your lap, under your knees Etc.
Try to create relaxed, supported in line, stable
Positions . Practice building these & shooting these so it becomes 2nd nature.
Build Confidence & know your limitations.

 

[Tanner]

I have definitely enjoyed getting a start on learning to shoot off a tripod. Even an ultralight CF setup like this one with a good ball head allows for very consistent hits out to 600 for me, without a rear support. Definitely a bit of a learning curve and trigger discipline/follow through were very clear areas that I needed to focus on. That being said, I’d be very comfortable with this setup on big game to 500-550 currently…

 

[tstowater]

Tried to use a tripod last fall on a steep downhill shot in a boulder field. Literally tried to build a fort trying to get over the crown on the slope but could never get stable to shoot. Finally moved position (twice) and actually found a location that I could shoot prone off a bipod for the first time ever on a big game animal. I've shot off some creative positions but never over 300 yards. I'm planning on practicing a whole lot more this year in all sorts of positions at longer ranges.

For OP, if you do have a place that you can shoot at a number of lanes the elk use on the opposite side, I would work at creating a shooting area if possible.