When I started rifle hunting for whitetails in my home state of Minnesota 43 years ago, no one in our deer camp carried a shooting rest. While it’s true most shots in our flat, thickly forested area were less than 60 yards, there was a small chance at a 100-yard opportunity (examples: across a beaver pond, or down a logging road).
Dad taught my brother and me to rely on natural shooting rests whenever possible, and we practiced holding our centerfire rifles against the side of a tree, or on top of a blowdown. Even so, looking back at it now, we really should have carried a lightweight and effective shooting rest. Here are three reasons that quickly come to mind.
1. Immediate Access
During my early teens while still hunting whitetails in northern Minnesota, I learned there wouldn’t always be a handy sapling or blowdown nearby to utilize as a rifle rest when a shot presented itself. And taking just one or two more steps — on crunchy leaves, sticks or snow — to reach such a spot would’ve alerted the deer. Yes, hindsight is 20/20: Dad should have given me a lightweight shooting rest for hunting whitetails.
2. Better Gun-to-Rest Connection
I stated earlier that any shooting rest (tree trunk, blowdown) is better than nothing at all, but it’s also true the rubberized yoke of a high-quality, store-bought shooting rest is ideal. You shouldn’t rest the forearm of a gun directly on a hard surface such as timber because it can negatively affect your accuracy when firing. If you must use a blowdown, fence post, etc. for a rest, then place something soft (your hand, glove or backpack) under the firearm’s stock for a bit of cushioning. The rubberized yoke of a shooting rest works best because the firearm doesn’t slip in the yoke, the rest is solid, and the thin rubber provides the right amount of cushioning. Another advantage: You can practice with a store-bought gun rest before deer season so shooting from it becomes second nature.
3. Always the Correct Shooting Height
Think about it: A blowdown might work, but what if it’s too low or high, and you can’t get comfortable/steady behind the gun while aiming? Correct shooting rest height is critical to making a steady shot, so be sure your chosen rest works well for you and your style of hunting. Personally, I like the following designs and models.
Monopod: If I’m still hunting and the terrain dictates my shot is almost sure to be standing — and quick — then I opt for a Primos Gen3 Tall Monopod Trigger Stick ($85.99). I can adjust the height of this 2-pound shooting stick in a second with one hand by simply squeezing the trigger. It has a smooth panning action, and adjusts from 35 to 65 inches.
