TAKE A REST - Seriously!

by Kim Hicks

For me, taking a good solid shooting rest is the very least we can do to respect the animals we pursue. I am not the first to come to this conclusion - not by a long shot - excuse the pun. From the beginning of time it seems (at least in regard to rifles and black powder guns) way back to when native Americans first used crossed arrow or spear shafts to steady distant shots at Bison, we hunters have known that the best rest we can find is ALWAYS better than no rest at all.

Fast forward to 2007. Hunting is more of a passion for sportsmen today than ever before and certainly way more expensive. So, with that in mind, it seems absolutely insane to me to spend all the time and money we do these days to arrive at a place where in the end we take a wild, and often times rushed off-handed shot, to no avail.

Granted, I've taken my share of those, and will most probably do it again in the future BUT, in my experience, most real hunting situations usually allow us the time needed to relax, get a solid rest, and make that one critical, steady shot. This is the very moment that's inevitably the difference between a great memory; one of a fun adventure, and one that haunts us for many years to come. That's why I go nowhere these days without a good set of either tripod or bipod shooting sticks. They have been absolutely invaluable to me and have been the very key to successful hunts more times than I want to admit! It doesn't matter whether I was tracking Whitetails in the thick cover of South Texas, stalking Brown Bear or Caribou across the tundra near the Arctic Circle, or walking behind my favorite professional hunter in Africa, I always have my shooting sticks in hand.
Over the last ten years I can personally attest that two of my largest Whitetails EVER, including the biggest I ever shot, and countless other trophies hanging on my walls would not have been taken without a shooting stick of some sort. To be even more specific, without my BOG-PODs. (www.boggear.com) A magical trip to the South Pacific and a date with a monster Rusa Deer is just the latest in a long line of happy endings I have to share with the crew over at BOGgear.

There have been decent, even good ... modern shooting sticks available for several years, and I have used them all. From cane poles tied together with pieces of intertube, to garden variety tomato sticks lashed together, to the more modern aluminum telescoping sticks, they all serve the general purpose. But again, I have known they could be done better. And now the boys over at BOGgear have proved me right.

The new BOG-POD shooting sticks (tripod, bipod, and monopod) are designed with enhanced features all serious hunters have yearned to see for years. The numbered scale or marker system lets me adjust the leg length to my individual height and then be able to repeat it in a flash. A true tripod head is another advantage and adds stability and then there are several other neat little touches like the Velcro leg closures that keep the unit tight and together during transport and removable foot pads for icy conditions or hard packed dirt.

Simply put, these new BOG-POD shooting sticks are products well thought out, offer many new and long-awaited features, and are state-of-the art. Finally, BOGgear is a company who will listen to what hunters, shooters, hikers, and yes even bird-watchers want in a tool of this value. I couldn't be happier with my BOG-PODs, and I'm sure you'll feel the same way within minutes of using yours for the first time!

Great Hunting and STEADY SHOOTING to you all -

Kim M. Hicks
Hunting 201 - Beyond The Basics!