Author Topic: Shooting Sticks in Africa? (Read 1151 times)

Rusty · « **on:** June 17, 2003, 03:35:19 AM »

Are shooting sticks commonly used in Africa? The PH's in a lot of hunting videos I have watched use shooting sticks (two sticks tied together). Is this common for hunting plains game?

Lawdog · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2003, 10:46:25 AM »

Rusty,

From what I understand, YES. In fact the PH's I've talked to use three sticks for an even steadier base. I use them here hunting everything from varmints to big game. I carry three 2512 aluminum arrow shafts that are tied together with a strong rubber band. The top 8 inches are wrapped with form rubber tape the type used on tennis racket handles.
This way they don't mar the finish on the stock and are very quiet. Sitting or kneeling you just grab the sticks where the band holds them together, rest the rifle in the forks and take aim. Lawdog

Rusty · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2003, 11:19:18 AM »

I was curious about the use of shooting sticks after reading "The Marching Wind" by Leonard Clark. It is an old book about exploring Tiber in the 40's. There are several pictures of local hunters with crude bipods (made from sticks) on their rifles. Also the in several African hunting videos the PH or gunbearer will carry long shooting sticks for the hunter or shooter.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2003, 12:16:50 PM »

Rusty,

I used to think that they would get in the way when hunting the brush and timber country out west. Then I tried a set a friend had and even standing they work. Give them a try, should make a believer out of anyone. Our whole family uses them now. Lawdog

Bucky · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2003, 09:48:35 AM »

Lawdog, what is the approximate length of the arrow shaft that you use?

longwinters · « **Reply #5 on:** June 21, 2003, 10:22:09 AM »

I have both adjustable and non-adjustable. They are not as steady as shooting off of the bench, but lightyears from shooting off hand.

Although if possible, throwing the old backpack down and shooting off of that seems to me to be steady also.

Lawdog · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2003, 02:18:07 PM »

Bucky,

I use uncut bulk shafts. Any size will do but I shoot XX78 in 2512 size so that's what I use when making my own arrows. I glue in a target point on one end to have something to help them stick in the ground. Mine are a little over 36" in length. The wife uses a walking stick made out of three lengths of 1/2" electrical conduit left over from my Dad's jobs(father was an electrican). They're painted and padded at the one end and banded together with surgical tubing. Collapsed they make a great walking stick and spread out a solid shooting rest. Lawdog

njirilodge · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2003, 05:56:52 AM »

Rusty I swear by shooting sticks and advise my clients to use them whenever they can.I use 3 sticks about 6.5 ft long bound together with rubber at one end about 6 " from the top. I cut one stick about 5" shorter as this then forms a nice "V" when you open them. Bind some rubber around the bottem ends so that they dont make a noise when you walk. I use dowell sticks that I buy from our local hardware store about 3/4" diameter.They are nice and straight and paint them a dull green,GOOD LUCK
Chris Brand
Njiri Lodge
P.H./
Outfittter