dogdoc Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 no comparison for me---I like to have something supporting the gun---I really like my shooting sticks! todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I try to lean up against a tree or something..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I prefer a rest but if one is not available I am not going to pass on a deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? i usually never use a rest. when i bear hunt in the treestand, i put my elbow up on the bar in front of me, just to stabalize myself a bit better, but i have a pretty steady hand. also we usually only do chases up here for deer hunting, so when the deer come, they are usually coming quick. no time for screwin around with a rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted March 24, 2005 Report Share Posted March 24, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? That's a no-brainer, everyone shoots better from a rest or a stablized position than they do free hand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Yup, free hand i am a terrible shot wiht the adrenaline going. I need a rest for pretty much any hunting shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherguy Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? [ QUOTE ] i put my elbow up on the bar in front of me, just to stabalize myself a bit better, [/ QUOTE ] I do that too...but i think that counts as using a rest lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Shooting off hand is a last resort for me. I am ussually sitting on the ground when gun hunting. My prefered shooting position is with my knees up, and my elbows rested on my knees. not always possible, but it is my most confident shooting position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Squirrelbuster Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I definately prefer using a rest of some sort (usually just my arm propped on my knee or the side of a tree). My deer I shot last season, I had my leg rested on my other leg while in a stand and then I braced my left arm (forearm) on my crossed leg and that did the job. While squirrel hunting, most of the time I brace my hand around a tree and rest the .22 on my hand and that is about as solid of a rest as I would ever be able to find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I put a pistol grip stock on my shotgun, and it works wonders for giving me a steadier aim offhand. A rest is great, if you have the option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Our blinds have shooting rails or shelfs. The ladder stands have nothing. When I shoot my rifle from ladder stands usually I will prop up my knee and create a support with my elbow. I shoot some free hand practicing and have killed a few deer shooting free hand, but I prefer to have a good steady rest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion_70 Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Use a rest whenever you can Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I like to have the gun resting on something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huntr104 Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? [ QUOTE ] I try to lean up against a tree or something..... [/ QUOTE ] Same here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longislandhunter Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I'll use a rest anytime I can but sometimes it's not an option. If I have to take an off hand shot I will wait until the animal is standing still. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadHuntinPastor Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I try and practice free hand just incase needed BUT I always prefer some support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Sauceman Posted March 25, 2005 Report Share Posted March 25, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Depends on the situation. I am very comportable with either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDog Posted March 26, 2005 Report Share Posted March 26, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I shoot free hand Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshM Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? i like to reset my gun on something or lean against something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedicast Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? [ QUOTE ] If I have to take an off hand shot I will wait until the animal is standing still [/ QUOTE ] I do that if at all possible when I have a rest too. If i'm shooting at a moving deer, it will have to be walking real slow. If not, I'll pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAhardwoods Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? if at all possible i always try and get a rest i do a lot of still hunting some of the shots happen very quick and i dont always have a nice tree to lean on......so i just pratice a lot off hand as well as on a rest Cody Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted March 27, 2005 Report Share Posted March 27, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I can do either one, but would obviously prefer a rest if possible. I like to at least get an elbow on the knee if I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted March 28, 2005 Report Share Posted March 28, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Most anyone will use a rest if its available. If the target is stionary or moving slowly, I will use any rest possible. If I am shooting running deer, I actually prefer the offhand position. It is fairly easy to hold a smooth swing compared to shooting a stationary target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? Anything that helps me steady my aim. It can be anything from using a bipod or simply resting my elbow on my knee. A rest aim helps steady my aim and drastically lowers the risk of wounding deer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Re: free hand or not ? I like to use trees, fence post, etc. I can and will take a free hand shot but it doesnt compare... The best rest ive found so far is a hay bale (round). Its about the perfect height. It worked awesome on a doe this past fall.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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