I'm a tall bipod, tripod rear guy. But I practice it a lot. Using it in matches where you are timed makes you very fast at getting it setup. Even my quick and dirty tripod rear setup is still more solid than me using a backpack front or rear.
How steep is it where you are? Can you shoot across using a tall bipod in front without it being too awkward?
An issue I've run into multiple times is where I get setup, then the animal will step into cover. At that point its a guessing game if you have enough time to build a more comfortable position, or if they will pop out into the open and you just tough a somewhat awkward position that your straining your body in.
I'm sure I argue with Form about this multiple times a year. It's what I practice, so its fast, for me.
Ken
The main point is practice what you like. I don’t disagree with anything above.
If you adopt Form’s approach and practice, you’ll be ahead of the game. It’s solid and based on fundamentals. It also follows the KISS principles.
Like Ken, I also fall outside with the style of “the Form basics”. My disagreement diminishes nothing about the shooting techniques he teaches. The point Ken makes about better stability is my experience too. Also, once deployed, if the animal moves, adjustment is fast for me.
The overall versatility I get out of a tripod and the stability it gives me in nearly any terrain or position means one solution to practice. “Fear the man who practices everything with one tripod, he probably knows how to use it…”
If we had 10 of the gnarliest shooting positions, I think my par time would be as fast or faster on average. I have one shooting tool, the tripod which can be used effectively in nearly every position. I have practiced and played with using many of the techniques. I have bought and played with lots of gimmicks. Ultimately, the inverted leg tripod won in every position.
My shooting process is the same every time: I visualize where my front support needs to be, determine method for rear support depending on distance, and then manipulate my tripod into position.
The terrain under the tripod determines the leg angle and height. Steep with mountain falling away gets two legs down and one leg back. Steep with mountain going up gets two legs back one forward. Steep angle on side hill, two back with one leg long the other short. The inverted leg locks makes it fast and simple to adjust mostly by feel, so I can keep my eyes up on the critter.
I don’t know of any other tool that can manage each of those with maximum stability.
Personal preference creates variations. If a solution gets it done in wide range of applications and situations, it isn’t wrong.
When it comes to tripod shooting, there is a lot of bad advice and commentary out there, which is not representative of my experience and style.
This is how I shoot seated.
