Most common field position on big game animals?

Most common field position on animals?

  • Prone

    Votes: 73 44.2%
  • Seated

    Votes: 61 37.0%
  • Kneeling

    Votes: 14 8.5%
  • Standing

    Votes: 17 10.3%

  • Total voters
    165

huntnful

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Oct 10, 2020
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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%
 
Last edited:
Joined
Jul 31, 2014
Messages
822
Location
Colorado
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.).
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

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Messages
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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

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Oct 22, 2019
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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.
 
Joined
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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

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Feb 13, 2019
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WA
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.
 
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huntnful

huntnful

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Oct 10, 2020
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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

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Shoot2HuntU
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Oct 22, 2014
Messages
10,396
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
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,372
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

Super Moderator
Shoot2HuntU
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
10,396
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
 
OP
huntnful

huntnful

WKR
Joined
Oct 10, 2020
Messages
2,372
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

WKR
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Sep 15, 2020
Messages
2,145
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

WKR
Joined
Jun 16, 2013
Messages
2,454
Location
Montana
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?
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2019
Messages
982
Location
Lyon County, NV
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?
 

mt terry d

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Shoot2HuntU
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Jul 18, 2023
Messages
776
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.
 
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