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Ground hunting with Tripod

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Wanted to get thoughts on the use of Tripods when ground hunting. I'm considering getting something like a Bog Field pod or similar for my son to use on youth hunts. Since we're going to mostly be hunting from the ground, I'm concerned that the use of a tripod may limit his ability to get the rifle lined up if a deer shows up that isn't right in front of the rifle. I'm wondering if other folks have used these from the ground and if repositioning for shot angles has been a problem without spooking away deer. I'm really looking for input on the negatives of using a tripod in this type of situation.
 
If you think he may start to get weak from holding the rifle up one may be the ticket . Lead sled or similar ?? How old is your son or I guess how big is your son ?
 
Snake said:
If you think he may start to get weak from holding the rifle up one may be the ticket . Lead sled or similar ?? How old is your son or I guess how big is your son ?
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He's a middle schooler but not huge/under 5 ft. We couldn't shoot much where we lived when he was growing up so I'm trying to help from a confidence standpoint since he has less experience shooting. He was doing pretty good at the range this weekend but he had a bench to rest on. In the tree stand we have a shooting rail, but when we have to hunt from the ground, ala burlap blind versus a popup, I'm trying to come up with something to give him a more stable rest. I've got some shooting sticks (or his knee) that we'll probably use but had seen some tripods and really wondered about adjusting for shot angles that aren't dead in front of you.
 
I started both my boys out with a caldwell deadshot fieldpod. I think you would want to be in a ground blind of some sort to conceal the movement of having to reposition it. We used it out of a ground blind and an elevated blind. Like you mention, unless the deer is right in front of you, you'll have to reposition the tripod to get on it. That said, it was great for supporting the weight of the gun and providing a steady rest.
 
Welcome to tndeer.

A bog death grip could work. Wouldn't be too tough to adjust it if need be. My 13 year old son is small, he shoots from one for practice and does well with it.
 
I killed my first buck from a tripod with a 44 marlin.i was 16 at the time. Back then my uncle and his best friend made them out of conduit. It was lite and easy to carry. Back then I would sit in the seat and put one leg over the other and lean my elbows to shoot. I tried to make some tripods couple years ago couldn't remember how. Wish I had some drawings or something to reference to make more. I've got places I could use them. But never could find anything on the internet for some reason.
 
I would suggest you build his confidence by having him shoot standing off shoulder at the range. I wouldn't have him using a support unless it was to overcome some kind of disability. It doesn't sound like that's the case.

Congratulations on spending time helping your son get started.
 
Several of the kids on our lease including my youngest grandson used a Bog Death Grip when in a blind. Gun stays mounted in it & can swing side to side with no problem
 
I'm living through this right now with a 6 year old. We used a Bog Death Grip this spring out of a groundblind with success and we've used it with him sitting between my legs with near success. I think you just have to accept that you won't get every shot, however, I did practice with my kid a lot. We practiced setting up a target, practiced him finding the target in the sight. We practiced live firing on Turkey targets. We practiced being in the blind and me walking around in front of it to figure out how I could best conceal his movement. Even with all the practice it wasn't the smoothest come game time. We are starting to practice for deer season this fall. Did I mention practice… lol?

You will no doubt be limited in your opportunity. Just make it fun. There are no rules when it comes to kids, it's more about the experience than killing something.
 

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DaveTN said:
I would suggest you build his confidence by having him shoot standing off shoulder at the range. I wouldn't have him using a support unless it was to overcome some kind of disability. It doesn't sound like that's the case.

Congratulations on spending time helping your son get started.
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The disability is living in a city for 12 years. Seriously though we do need more time shooting but just trying to do the best with what we're working with.
 
nate17 said:
I'm living through this right now with a 6 year old. We used a Bog Death Grip this spring out of a groundblind with success and we've used it with him sitting between my legs with near success. I think you just have to accept that you won't get every shot, however, I did practice with my kid a lot. We practiced setting up a target, practiced him finding the target in the sight. We practiced live firing on Turkey targets. We practiced being in the blind and me walking around in front of it to figure out how I could best conceal his movement. Even with all the practice it wasn't the smoothest come game time. We are starting to practice for deer season this fall. Did I mention practice… lol?

You will no doubt be limited in your opportunity. Just make it fun. There are no rules when it comes to kids, it's more about the experience than killing something.
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Glad he got a bird!
 
tellico4x4 said:
Several of the kids on our lease including my youngest grandson used a Bog Death Grip when in a blind. Gun stays mounted in it & can swing side to side with no problem
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Your username reminds me of some good times on the ORV before they shut it down.
 
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Shoot I'm no kid but I use one. It can be used from prone to standing position. Set it up to use sitting in chair in blind while deer hunting and spread legs further out so I can use it on ground coyote hunting. Swinging left and right in the mount is no problem and I have had to move entire setup when coyotes came out at different spots than I figured. Mine has a ball head on it which helps with up and down angled shots. There's a company called zero fox given that makes a ball head attachment that works with the bog tripods.
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Several options available. Some mount to guns.

I use the bipod version that doesn't mount to rifle. It can be used in blind, still hunting, or as I prefer, millennium tree seat. Real quick deployment and can be used on sloping terrain.

 
I think they are a great idea. You are giving up some movement but still get you in the field.

My 7 year old is using one out of a ground blind, but we could adapt to the ground.

What you gain but don't expect is that there is quite a bit of movement in getting the gun pointed in the right direction.

You can also pair this with a phone scope, so that as the parent you can see their point of aim and help them "find" the target.
 
I use a bipod these days, I carry it almost all the time. I might not use it due to angle etc. but it's light and can hangout in the backpack, that said I have ordered a trigger stick bipod, I could probably due fine with a monopod, but I feel like I am shooting off a bench with 2 support legs, it can be moved pretty easy.
 
Over the years I've used about everything, from 2 arrows put together with O-rings to bi-pods, tri-pods, and the arrows worked as good as any when hunting from ground blinds I built from the available tree limbs and brush where I hunt. There's a plethora of variations in shooting rests out there and all will work, pick the one that suits you and go for it AND practice from the rest you will using. It's not such a big deal for me to carry a shooting rest with me as I only hunt with handguns. I did use a gun mounted bi-pod on my Nosler M48 Handgun in Wyoming last fall to take my Antelope with. Good luck in your choice.
Keith
 
I use a Manfrotto tripod with a ball head and hog saddle. It locks the rifle in and you can still move it around to get on the deer. It's great for keeping the buck fever down with my son.
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