Most common field position on big game animals?

[huntnful]

Curious how most people are taking big game animals in the field?

I just randomly wanted to actually figure out what my most common field shooting position was and the percent of shots taken in that position. So I went through my camera roll and added them up. I think 8-10 of these are friends that I was personally hunting with and there when the shot was taken also, for added data.

These are all big game animals take from 12,000' elevation all the way down to sea level. Taken in CA, ID, MT, NM, WY, TX, CO, UT, AZ, AK and NE. Most of these were mountainous backpack hunts.

Prone - 37 animals 77%
Seated - 4 animals 8%
Kneeling - 1 animal 2%
Standing - 6 animals 13%

Most all of the shots taken outside of the prone position had some form of rest. I believe only 1 seated and 1 standing shot, which were taken by me, were unsupported. So 4% of field shots were unsupported.

This is just my personal experiences over the last 5 years. I'd love to hear others personal experiences and maybe as much actual field data as you can remember.

Below is an updated compiled list of the responses, including mine.

Prone - 138 / 46%
Seated - 54 / 17%
Kneeling - 34 / 11%
Standing - 79 / 26%

Shots taken unsupported from the above positions - 54 / 17%

 

[mlevimadden]

Over the last 3 seasons for rifle and muzzleloader hunts I was on across CO, WY, and KS.

Prone - 6 animals 30%
Seated - 10 animals 50%
Kneeling - 1 animal 5%
Standing - 3 animals 15%

Only 1 shot was standing unsupported on a whitetail doe about to spook. All other shots were supported off packs, bipods, trekking poles, or field rests (trees, rocks, etc.).

 

[huntnful]

Over the last 3 seasons for rifle and muzzleloader hunts I was on across CO, WY, and KS.

Prone - 6 animals 30%
Seated - 10 animals 50%
Kneeling - 1 animal 5%
Standing - 3 animals 15%

Only 1 shot was standing unsupported on a whitetail doe about to spook. All other shots were supported off packs, bipods, trekking poles, or field rests (trees, rocks, etc.).

Appreciate the detailed added info!!

I think I’ll start adding more seated kills to the data over time also after learning better positioning for seated shots.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I kill in Arizona, Wyoming, Minnesota, California, and Mexico every year. Usually throw in another state or country into the mix each year as well (this year was AK and hopefully NZ this spring).

On spot and stalk, seated or kneeling/squatting with an improvised front rest would be the most common no doubt. Followed by some type of "prone" position where vegetation allows.

On ambush, seated with a long front bipod and backpack for rear rest would be the most common, followed by some type of "prone" position where vegetation allows.

On still hunting woods/cactus forests/ etc. kneeling unsupported would be the most common, followed by standing with improvised rest or pure off-hand no rest shots.

I chose "seated" from the list.

 

[mlevimadden]

Appreciate the detailed added info!!

I think I’ll start adding more seated kills to the data over time also after learning better positioning for seated shots.

You're welcome. Since this is in the long-range forum, I should probably disclaim that I'm not taking very many long-range shots. My longest kill to-date was a pronghorn at 405 that I couldn't get any closer to. That one was a 2017 hunt so it isn't even in this data set above.

The furthest kill in the data above is probably only in the 320 yd range, so someone hunting more long-range style will probably be skewed more towards prone shots.

 

[Harvey_NW]

So I tallied up what I have in my gallery and what I can remember off hand, but I went about it a little differently since some animals required more than 1 shot, and your data is about position and amount of shots taken from those positions. I can only remember a few misses, so these are all shots that impacted. These are from big game animals + coyotes with rifle and muzzleloader in WA, ID, and MT. If the muzzleloader or coyote data points screw things up I can edit them out.

Prone - 16
Seated - 9
Kneeling - 6
Standing - 13

Most of the standing shots were unsupported. I always try to go prone if possible but things can get western hunting desert or brushy mountainous type terrain with a muzzle stuffer.

 

[huntnful]

So I tallied up what I have in my gallery and what I can remember off hand, but I went about it a little differently since some animals required more than 1 shot, and your data is about position and amount of shots taken from those positions. I can only remember a few misses, so these are all shots that impacted. These are from big game animals + coyotes with rifle and muzzleloader in WA, ID, and MT. If the muzzleloader or coyote data points screw things up I can edit them out.

Prone - 16
Seated - 9
Kneeling - 6
Standing - 13

Most of the standing shots were unsupported. I always try to go prone if possible but things can get western hunting desert or brushy mountainous type terrain with a muzzle stuffer.

Great added info!

I didn’t count coyotes personally, BUT I think the kill percentage on them is relatively to close to my big game animals anyways. I kill a lot of stuff prone. Maybe a few more seated shots with the coyote counted.

 

[Formidilosus]

This is 2021-22 season for the people I hunted with- either my shots or shots from others that I was right beside:

1. coyote: 315- 420 yards. Sitting on top of pack, 26 seconds, timed out
2. Coyote, 270y prone, bipod, 21 seconds- killed
3. Coyote, 86y, kneeling on top of pack 7 seconds, killed
4. Elk, 515, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
5. Elk, 608, prone, sub 20sec, timed out
6. Turkey, 266y, prone, 51 seconds, killed
7. Turkey, 278y, prone, 12 seconds, killed
8. Deer, 208, prone, 40 seconds, killed
9. Deer, 312y, prone, 18 seconds missed
10. Turkey, 168y, prone, 14 seconds, missed
11. Turkey, 175y, 9 seconds, missed
12. Deer, sitting on pack 318y, less then 15 seconds, timed out
13. Deer, 250-350y, multiple opportunities, sitting/kneeling on pack, timed out
14. Deer, 378y, prone, 18 second, killed
15. Deer, 402y, prone on pack, 7 seconds killed
16. Deer, 612y, prone, 24 seconds, killed
17. Elk, 640-680y, prone, 40’ish seconds, timed out
18. Elk, 850y, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
19. Elk, 910y, prone, 16 seconds, killed
20. Elk, 628y, prone, more than a minute, killed
21. Elk, 644y, prone, 8 seconds, killed
22. Elk, 994y, prone, 24 seconds, missed
23. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 11 seconds, killed
24. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 8 seconds, killed
25. Elk, 418y, prone, 20’ish seconds, timed out
26. Elk, 350’ish, prone, 5 seconds, killed
27. Elk, 287y, 5 seconds, prone, killed
28. Elk, 458y, prone, 6 seconds, killed
29. Elk, 490y, prone, 30’ish seconds, killed
30. Elk, 488y, prone, 30’ish seconds, missed
31. Elk, 550y, prone, 9 seconds, killed
32. Elk, 80’ish, standing offhand, 4’ish seconds, killed
33. Elk, 558y, prone, 17 seconds, killed
34. Elk, 560y, prone, 17 seconds, missed
35. Elk, 280y, prone, 13 seconds, killed
36. Elk, 970-980y, prone, rodeo of more than 40 minutes, killed

 

[z987k]

Prone, but a close second is sitting or kneeling shooting off my trekking poles with the quick stix.

 

[huntnful]

This is 2021-22 season for the people I hunted with- either my shots or shots from others that I was right beside:

1. coyote: 315- 420 yards. Sitting on top of pack, 26 seconds, timed out
2. Coyote, 270y prone, bipod, 21 seconds- killed
3. Coyote, 86y, kneeling on top of pack 7 seconds, killed
4. Elk, 515, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
5. Elk, 608, prone, sub 20sec, timed out
6. Turkey, 266y, prone, 51 seconds, killed
7. Turkey, 278y, prone, 12 seconds, killed
8. Deer, 208, prone, 40 seconds, killed
9. Deer, 312y, prone, 18 seconds missed
10. Turkey, 168y, prone, 14 seconds, missed
11. Turkey, 175y, 9 seconds, missed
12. Deer, sitting on pack 318y, less then 15 seconds, timed out
13. Deer, 250-350y, multiple opportunities, sitting/kneeling on pack, timed out
14. Deer, 378y, prone, 18 second, killed
15. Deer, 402y, prone on pack, 7 seconds killed
16. Deer, 612y, prone, 24 seconds, killed
17. Elk, 640-680y, prone, 40’ish seconds, timed out
18. Elk, 850y, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
19. Elk, 910y, prone, 16 seconds, killed
20. Elk, 628y, prone, more than a minute, killed
21. Elk, 644y, prone, 8 seconds, killed
22. Elk, 994y, prone, 24 seconds, missed
23. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 11 seconds, killed
24. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 8 seconds, killed
25. Elk, 418y, prone, 20’ish seconds, timed out
26. Elk, 350’ish, prone, 5 seconds, killed
27. Elk, 287y, 5 seconds, prone, killed
28. Elk, 458y, prone, 6 seconds, killed
29. Elk, 490y, prone, 30’ish seconds, killed
30. Elk, 488y, prone, 30’ish seconds, missed
31. Elk, 550y, prone, 9 seconds, killed
32. Elk, 80’ish, standing offhand, 4’ish seconds, killed
33. Elk, 558y, prone, 17 seconds, killed
34. Elk, 560y, prone, 17 seconds, missed
35. Elk, 280y, prone, 13 seconds, killed
36. Elk, 970-980y, prone, rodeo of more than 40 minutes, killed

Awesome info, thank you!

 

[Formidilosus]

2022-23- just deer, elk, bear


Elk:

1. Kneeling in pack, 360y
2. Prone, 860 yards
3. standing unsupported, 160y.
4. Prone, 633y
5. Prone, 430y
6. Prone, 555y
7. Kneeling on pack, 80y
8. Kneeling on pack, 80y
9. Kneeling on pack, 80y
10. Kneeling supported, 80’ish yards
11. Kneeling on pack, 80y
12. Sitting supported, 70’ish yards
13. Prone, 369y
14. Pron, 330y
15. Prone, 408y
16. Prone, 803y
17. Prone, 647y
18. Kneeling on pack, 350y
19. Standing supported, 300y
20. Prone 636y
21. Prone, 636y
22. Standing supported, 108y
23. Prone, 517y
24. Prone, 628y
25. Prone, 637y

Deer:

1. Prone, 397y
2. Kneeling on pack 437y

Bear:

1. Prone, 560y
2. Standing supported, 100’ish yards

 

[huntnful]

2022-23- just deer, elk, bear


Elk:

1. Kneeling in pack, 360y
2. Prone, 860 yards
3. standing unsupported, 160y.
4. Prone, 633y
5. Prone, 430y
6. Prone, 555y
7. Kneeling on pack, 80y
8. Kneeling on pack, 80y
9. Kneeling on pack, 80y
10. Kneeling supported, 80’ish yards
11. Kneeling on pack, 80y
12. Sitting supported, 70’ish yards
13. Prone, 369y
14. Pron, 330y
15. Prone, 408y
16. Prone, 803y
17. Prone, 647y
18. Kneeling on pack, 350y
19. Standing supported, 300y
20. Prone 636y
21. Prone, 636y
22. Standing supported, 108y
23. Prone, 517y
24. Prone, 628y
25. Prone, 637y

Deer:

1. Prone, 397y
2. Kneeling on pack 437y

Bear:

1. Prone, 560y
2. Standing supported, 100’ish yards

Awesome. I’m going to update a running talley in the first post of everyone’s gathered info as well.

 

[nobody]

In thinking back, I’m 50% some form of sitting and 50% some form of standing. Never killed an animal from prone, though I’ve tried and it’s just not panned out and I’ve ended up doing something different to get it done.

 

[bmart2622]

2022-23- just deer, elk, bear


Elk:

1. Kneeling in pack, 360y
2. Prone, 860 yards
3. standing unsupported, 160y.
4. Prone, 633y
5. Prone, 430y
6. Prone, 555y
7. Kneeling on pack, 80y
8. Kneeling on pack, 80y
9. Kneeling on pack, 80y
10. Kneeling supported, 80’ish yards
11. Kneeling on pack, 80y
12. Sitting supported, 70’ish yards
13. Prone, 369y
14. Pron, 330y
15. Prone, 408y
16. Prone, 803y
17. Prone, 647y
18. Kneeling on pack, 350y
19. Standing supported, 300y
20. Prone 636y
21. Prone, 636y
22. Standing supported, 108y
23. Prone, 517y
24. Prone, 628y
25. Prone, 637y

Deer:

1. Prone, 397y
2. Kneeling on pack 437y

Bear:

1. Prone, 560y
2. Standing supported, 100’ish yards

By kneeling on pack do you mean having your pack vertical as a front rest?

 

[Formidilosus]

By kneeling on pack do you mean having your pack vertical as a front rest?

Yes.

 

[RockAndSage]

This is great data, excellent question to ask/poll.

 

[RockAndSage]

This is 2021-22 season for the people I hunted with- either my shots or shots from others that I was right beside:

1. coyote: 315- 420 yards. Sitting on top of pack, 26 seconds, timed out
2. Coyote, 270y prone, bipod, 21 seconds- killed
3. Coyote, 86y, kneeling on top of pack 7 seconds, killed
4. Elk, 515, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
5. Elk, 608, prone, sub 20sec, timed out
6. Turkey, 266y, prone, 51 seconds, killed
7. Turkey, 278y, prone, 12 seconds, killed
8. Deer, 208, prone, 40 seconds, killed
9. Deer, 312y, prone, 18 seconds missed
10. Turkey, 168y, prone, 14 seconds, missed
11. Turkey, 175y, 9 seconds, missed
12. Deer, sitting on pack 318y, less then 15 seconds, timed out
13. Deer, 250-350y, multiple opportunities, sitting/kneeling on pack, timed out
14. Deer, 378y, prone, 18 second, killed
15. Deer, 402y, prone on pack, 7 seconds killed
16. Deer, 612y, prone, 24 seconds, killed
17. Elk, 640-680y, prone, 40’ish seconds, timed out
18. Elk, 850y, 45 seconds, prone, timed out
19. Elk, 910y, prone, 16 seconds, killed
20. Elk, 628y, prone, more than a minute, killed
21. Elk, 644y, prone, 8 seconds, killed
22. Elk, 994y, prone, 24 seconds, missed
23. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 11 seconds, killed
24. Elk, 373y, sitting on pack, 8 seconds, killed
25. Elk, 418y, prone, 20’ish seconds, timed out
26. Elk, 350’ish, prone, 5 seconds, killed
27. Elk, 287y, 5 seconds, prone, killed
28. Elk, 458y, prone, 6 seconds, killed
29. Elk, 490y, prone, 30’ish seconds, killed
30. Elk, 488y, prone, 30’ish seconds, missed
31. Elk, 550y, prone, 9 seconds, killed
32. Elk, 80’ish, standing offhand, 4’ish seconds, killed
33. Elk, 558y, prone, 17 seconds, killed
34. Elk, 560y, prone, 17 seconds, missed
35. Elk, 280y, prone, 13 seconds, killed
36. Elk, 970-980y, prone, rodeo of more than 40 minutes, killed

This is extremely interesting info - what are your criteria for when you start and stop the clock?

 

[MikeDeltaFoxtrot]

For me, sitting by a long shot. It is my favorite shooting position other than using a bench. I will use a bogpod or similar stick setup together with a sling if available.

 

[Strider]

Last few years off the top of my head.

Prone - 11
Sitting - 2
Kneeling - 4
Freeballing - 3

 

[mt terry d]

Thinking back I've killed more deer than any other game animal and the majority of them have been seated because of grass. Prone would be second.