Trekking pole/pack seated shooting

[Lawnboi]

Show me the way. I have done some shooting with trekking poles, tried the quick stix and wasn’t really a fan. But have not dedicated the time to be as consistent with them as I’d like.

This year I have a hunt I’m really considering leaving my tripod at home. I’m very versed in tripod deployment and shooting, and until this year could normally justify carrying the tripod.

Is it possible to get as steady on sticks/pack as a tripod? How are you carrying/deploying?

Weighing my options, not having to lug around a tripod this year would be nice if I can become proficient enough with trekking poles.

 

[Wacko]

 

[Lawnboi]

Someone’s got to have more than a video with quick sticks.

I’m more interested in wrist straps because I do not care for the quick sticks attachments I have currently.

 

[Wacko]

You do the same thing. Just loop your trekking pole straps over the handles. Use the straps to cradle the rifle forend.

You can get even more stable with a tree or thick bush behind you too.

 

[ztc92]

Someone’s got to have more than a video with quick sticks.

I’m more interested in wrist straps because I do not care for the quick sticks attachments I have currently.

I don’t have any videos but can share some thoughts/tips from S2H courses and subsequent practice. When we got this position dialed in at the course it was nearly as good as prone in terms of groups and hit rates.

- Loop the wrist straps over one another to create a cradle for the rifle. Pick a middle length and use the angle of the sticks to set your height, which is much faster that trying to adjust stick height.

- Use support hand to hold the stock in a C-clamp and also clamp onto the sticks as well. If you do this right and pull the rifle into your shoulder it will allow you to stay in the scope and cycle the bolt without breaking position.

- I still struggle with how best to position the backpack in the rear. Terrain and sitting position affect it a lot. When done right, the pack serves the same function as a rear bag, supporting the stock during recoil and allowing for subtle adjustments in elevation.

Best of luck!

 

[Lawnboi]

I might need some pictures. I went out with the 22 today and shot a bunch of seated with trekking poles.

It was ugly. I’m used to near prone stability and zero reticle with the tripod. I’m don’t think I was any faster than my tripod honestly.

So for those that are good with this. How are you hooking your straps? The obvious advantage to the straps over the quick stix is the ability to quickly adjust elevation.

Interfacing with the pack seems pretty straight forward clamping the stock and stabilizing on the pack frame, but I’m still pretty wobbly, maybe 3 tenths wobble. Are people using their support hand on the butt with the pack? Or supporting the forend with the sticks?

I also remember why I don’t shoot much rimfire after shooting the22 today.

 

[Pilsner]

I might need some pictures. I went out with the 22 today and shot a bunch of seated with trekking poles.

It was ugly. I’m used to near prone stability and zero reticle with the tripod. I’m don’t think I was any faster than my tripod honestly.

So for those that are good with this. How are you hooking your straps? The obvious advantage to the straps over the quick stix is the ability to quickly adjust elevation.

Interfacing with the pack seems pretty straight forward clamping the stock and stabilizing on the pack frame, but I’m still pretty wobbly, maybe 3 tenths wobble. Are people using their support hand on the butt with the pack? Or supporting the forend with the sticks?

I also remember why I don’t shoot much rimfire after shooting the22 today.

I am in the same boat - I need pictures! I've tried this myself a year or so back and it was an abject failure. Due to some physical/health issues I don't shoot prone anymore and need to learn to utilize my pack and trekking poles better.
-Doc

 

[Antares]

Couple variations on my seated position. Trekking pole front, pack rear. My second 2025 CBC shot was from this position too. This is my most stable position after prone.

Sometime I do a quicker version with the pack frame in front and no rear support.

 

[Antares]

Pack frame only, no rear support.

 

[mtnbound]

Pack frame only, no rear support.

Yep, that's usually my first choice for a shooting position because it's fast.

 

[kswaterfowl]

I always try to rest my elbows on my knees when Im shooting from a seated position. And my off hand is supporting the shooting sticks, or trekking poles. Thats how I am setup on all my coyote stands, and I feel pretty confident out to 500 yards in that position. Like anything though, it takes preactice.

 

[WyoBC_99]

So for those that are good with this. How are you hooking your straps? The obvious advantage to the straps over the quick stix is the ability to quickly adjust elevation.

The key detail for speed of deployment is not adjusting height by messing with the trekking pole locks or moving the straps but simply by moving the 'feet' in or out. This will raise and lower the point where your rifle rests, whether it's the straps method or the quick stix.

 

[Nine Banger]

Is anyone shooting pack in front and sticks or stick in the rear?

With my exo pack and my body I'm kneeling more than sitting depending on the grade.

 

[bpitcher]

Came here to ask this.

I just switched to the K4 and was wondering this as well. It is definitely a taller pack so off the top isn't an option unless you've got a slope.

I guess trekking poles or kneeling is the answer?

Is anyone shooting pack in front and sticks or stick in the rear?

With my exo pack and my body I'm kneeling more than sitting depending on the grade.

View attachment 913664View attachment 913665

 

[V2Pnutrition]

I've laid the pack flat and stacked a bino harness to a more linear shot (if that's what you mean).
Here's a couple of other options (Courtesy of @WildIdaho serving as the model). Hugging the pack seems to be a very stable one for me. I took a ram and a buck via the stacked reference above.

 

[Poser]

I personally really like the quick stix. I have practiced a good bit with a pack as well and have shot some animals off a pack, but it really depends on the pack, how its loaded etc. A really heavy pack can be awkward. A pack that doesn't want to stand up on its on can also be awkward. Sometimes, you get the pack in your lap and the height is wrong for the set up or your fighting gravity due to the weight of the pack. Every situation is different.

 

[Miflatlander91]

I don’t have any pics but I loop the poles and use my hand like a c clamp like others with my Kifaru I have to kick the bottom out away from me or it’s 2 high after some practice I was hitting rocks pretty consistently out around 600 I was very impressed just a little playing around made a world of difference. The biggest problem I had was recoil management was a lot tougher seated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mtnbound]

Came here to ask this.

I just switched to the K4 and was wondering this as well. It is definitely a taller pack so off the top isn't an option unless you've got a slope.

I guess trekking poles or kneeling is the answer?

Why can't you shoot off the top? I shoot seated off the top of my K4 with no issues.

 

[mtnbound]

Is anyone shooting pack in front and sticks or stick in the rear?

With my exo pack and my body I'm kneeling more than sitting depending on the grade.

View attachment 913664View attachment 913665

Yep, sitting shooting off the top is probably my most used position. I don't typically use sticks in the rear as it's more fiddle factor than I want to deal with.