Thanks for writing that up. For those of us who haven't been to the class but are still picking up tips, it's really interesting the focus on efficiency at moderate distances. So much talk these days centers on purely extending your range, but it's been way more useful to me to work on really good consistent shooting from about 150 to 350. And to realize how much I suck when you take away prone.Post S2H 2025 Hunting Season Recap
I took a mule deer buck in UT, Blacktail buck in AK and a cow elk in UT
The deer hunts did use aspects of S2H but the best illustration is the cow elk hunt
I was hiking into position to make a 500-600 yard shot from a rolling hill on some elk I had spotted. On my way up, I looked down the draw and there were 4 cows at about 300 yards heading straight to me
Without a second thought, I slung my backpack off and upright onto the ground and sat down on my butt. Looking back, I surprised myself how my mind knew exactly what to do without me thinking about it.
My already short Kuiu frame pack was even shorter as I was shooting down hill. For a moment, I thought to myself to try stacking toes (or stacking feet, don’t remember the correct terminology lol). I decided that was too low as well so I scooted back a bit which allowed me to lean further forward, solving my elevation problem.
The elk continued to walk toward me as I followed them with my crosshairs. I had my rifle c clamped to my backpack with my hand. The lead cow stopped and turned broadside at about 220 yards and I squeezed off a shot. Was a good hit. I racked the bolt quickly. In the heat of the moment, I hadn’t heard the tikka mag shoot out the bottom of the stock and I loaded what I thought was another round. Squeezed and then CLICK. Click I thought, how the hell did that happen?
I pulled my head off the stock and saw my mag sitting in a pile of dirt. My next thought was to grab my spare loaded mag in my pocket (I know, should’ve in the bino harness). I slammed it in and ran the bolt home. Cow had only taken a step or two at this point and I proceeded to put two more into her before she dropped. 3 total shots, 3 hits. One in the shoulder, 1 in the lungs and one just below the heart
This cow hunt was nearly 2 weeks ago and I’ve ran through the scenario multiple times since. I can’t honestly say what I would’ve done in that situation without S2H skills. Likely tried to somehow get prone (not an option) as that was my crutch before class.
Before the class, I never looked at my pack as a viable shooting rest. Nor did I ever carry a loaded spare mag
The tikka mag shooting out the bottom was a one off. I think I may have not had it seated all the way or pulled the tab with my pack as I fired the first shot.
S2H provided me with the rifleman education I was lacking. The countless hours practicing at home from positions other prone, made it second nature.
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I'm really looking forward to that aspect of the class whenever I get to take it. I missed a nice bull last year because I was rushed and inefficient and built a bad shooting platform.
I've noticed that I need to press a little harder with my rokstok than the factory stock to get it to fully lock in so I think I may have only had it partially seated. My rifle is also almost ten years old with the factory bottom metal and several thousand rounds through it, I'm not sure if that little catch can wear out over time.
