How do you stabilize your rifle for Antelope?

[Runningwater]

Is sitting on my butt, kneeling, prone, using a handy outcrop, etc. considered freehand?

 

[Goatie]

I own a great tripod with a hog saddle/Arca. Of the 8 antelope I’ve been involved in taking, a simple harris was the best option for a steady confident shot on every one of them. The weight isn’t a factor while pronghorn hunting so why settle for a pack?

adding photos cuz they speak louder

 

[NEWHunter]

I always bring a bipod and used it to take my first two. Both shots were a couple hundred yards or so. My last one was off hand but that was a 20 yard shot.

 

[Jimss]

I've been hunting Wyo antelope my entire life. One thing you'll learn quickly in Wyo is the wind usually blows 10 to 40 mph around 360 days a year! The closer to the ground you shoot the better off you are in high winds. My preference is to shoot off my backpack. I usually stalk to a saddle or ridge overlook with that in mind. I try to find a small opening between brush/grass where I can set my backpack down for a clear-prone shot. Some times that's not possible. I always have my spotting scope with me on a tripod when stalking to field judge bucks and make certain I shoot the right buck. If I'm in a brushy spot I shoot from my spotting scope on a tripod. I really see no reason to carry shooting sticks or use a bipod if you have a backpack plus spotting scope on a tripod.

 

[eaglemountainman]

I own a great tripod with a hog saddle/Arca. Of the 8 antelope I’ve been involved in taking, a simple harris was the best option for a steady confident shot on every one of them. The weight isn’t a factor while pronghorn hunting so why settle for a pack?

adding photos cuz they speak louder

I use my pack because the grass, sage and greasewood where I hunt is much taller than the vegetation in your photos, and a prone shot is out of the question. I'm not a fan of rifle mounted bipods anyway. I have a tripod if I really need to get tall.

 

[go_deep]

Off the pack, almost every time, sometimes off a sagebrush.

 

[ckeehn]

Tripod worked well for last year but i had to wait until the lope cleared sage... 2 years ago i was off hand because sage was too tall. Tripod or something similar would be very beneficial

 

[Ike]

A bipod of the terrain allows for it, a fence/fence post or if you want to carry them, shooting sticks.

 

[Crghss]

Used my bipods last season. Needed to belly crawl into a position that had clear view and had to extend the bipods legs.

 

[wytx]

Bipod.
Bipod is short enough for prone and tall enough for sitting shot.

 

[manitou1]

I use my pack mostly, but have shot off my tripod in tall sage. I have also free handed a few close ones and used an old stock tank on a buck one year. Whatever is available and works. I would definitely always have a plan "B" for tall sagebrush.

 

[2bgop]

If I am glassing, then the tripod. If not, then bipod if possible.

 

[Nosferatu]

Sling

 

[Crusader]

Backpack unless I need more height or am on a sidehill or other awkward setting, then it's shooting sticks like rickjames80 posted. Only mine are older, I think Stoney Point brand back then.

 

[ToolMann]

Sitting height bipod to get above sage and grass. If I need more stability but cant go prone because of grass, I use the sitting height bipod in front and sit with my pack between my legs and use the pack frame to stabilize the rear of the rifle. It works pretty well. I could shoot a few hundred yards like that. If its any farther I have to get prone.

Interesting. Not sure why I haven't thought of using my pack for a rear rest when sitting with a tall bipod or Bogpod tripod. I have trouble getting steady sitting and shooting out past 200. Will definitely try this out at my next range session. I always have my internal frame pack with me, so makes sense. Thanks!

 

[birddogg22]

Bog pod

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Those tripods weren’t a thing back when I used to antelope hunt. I had good luck with a Harris bipod though and my dad seemed to like shooting sticks.

 

[OXN939]

and just tuck my left hand under the butt for rear support.

Something to consider- get a sock, fill it with airsoft BBs and tie it off. Carry this in your day pack and use it as a rear rest. One of the only items I know of that can bring a substantive increase in long distance accuracy for less than the cost of a cheap beer.

 

[ReddingArcher]

Something to consider- get a sock, fill it with airsoft BBs and tie it off. Carry this in your day pack and use it as a rear rest. One of the only items I know of that can bring a substantive increase in long distance accuracy for less than the cost of a cheap beer.

That’s good advice. I ended up buying a couple rear supports off midway for like 10 bucks each.

 

[OXN939]

That’s good advice. I ended up buying a couple rear supports off midway for like 10 bucks each.

Great thing is you can make them whatever size you want. My field expedient guy I keep a little bigger than a baseball. Small enough to pack super easily, big enough you can squeeze it and get some elevation in there.