LD, I only use a bipod on my varmint rifles that are already heavy. I don't really care for them on big game and/or predator guns. I too made a set of shooting sticks from arrows. I bought a pair of carbon arrows from Wally world, stripped the fletching and nocks, and added some field tips. Then I "connected" them with 3/8" gas line that makes a nice pocket for the rifle - it's soft and quiet. I also used three castration bands to create a good pivot point. I roll them down to the bottom to keep the sticks together for easier toting.
Anyway, a picture's worth a thousand words, so here they are in action: