Day 1 in the field with new Viper-Flex sticks

Productive trip out through stalking this morning in Sussex. Small amounts of rain, warm, sultry conditions. Lots of really thick wet grass in the open fields with odd does and fawns seen. Fawn call working with does ex bucks. Bucks often sitting on the tree/field margin.

Had an incredible experience with three separate roe bucks all barking at once. Roe bucks starting to get really territorial, but buttolu call only working to briefly check departure, not bring the decent bucks in… as yet.

New V-F sticks amazing, but they do take a while to get used to (for that read… not the ideal shot placement today). More practice needed, especially on resting the rear of the rifle on the rear of the stick. About to attach loop of cord so sticks open to the required span. I’d be interested to hear how high you all have the V-F sticks set, I am 5 foot 10 high.

Take care out there, be safe.

Here is today’s head… v. dark

 

[Ludders]

Good going today.
The viper flex are very good sticks, I’m 5.11 and have mine set on number 9

 

[Free range rob]

They have numbers made me want to look at mine now
Sounds like the op had a better Saturday morning than most

 

[paulbshooting]

Have them set to give you a stable stance and good fit to rifle, don't worry about the numbers. Video with Andrew venables on County deer stalking is good to watch about. Wouldn't bother with cord. Something else to tangle up in. With practice the vipers are fantastic kit.

 

[Sakoodin1]

I set mine around the 5f mark so I can use them to poke the dog when it’s supposed to be sitting but not!!!! And it’s a ideal height for me once opened to take a shot. I am 5ft 9”

 

[Free range rob]

I set mine around the 5f mark so I can use them to poke the dog when it’s supposed to be sitting but not!!!! And it’s a ideal height for me once opened to take a shot. I am 5ft 9”

And that I believe is the correct answer judging by the amount of times I’ve seen them used for that

 

[NullMac]

Not been using them very long, but had incredible results. Completely changed the way I stalk. Dog is less keen, as above !!

I set them to a height that lets me use the binos with the sticks as a monopod. There isn't a correct height or span. Thats the beauty of them, you can adjust the configuration to suit what you are doing as the ground changes.

 

[SussexShooter]

I’m also 5.11 and have them on 9… I read somewhere the sticks should come up to your nose when closed for (generally) the correct hight setting…

 

[chaz243]

Have them set to give you a stable stance and good fit to rifle, don't worry about the numbers. Video with Andrew venables on County deer stalking is good to watch about. Wouldn't bother with cord. Something else to tangle up in. With practice the vipers are fantastic kit.

Productive trip out through stalking this morning in Sussex. Small amounts of rain, warm, sultry conditions. Lots of really thick wet grass in the open fields with odd does and fawns seen. Fawn call working with does ex bucks. Bucks often sitting on the tree/field margin.

Had an incredible experience with three separate roe bucks all barking at once. Roe bucks starting to get really territorial, but buttolu call only working to briefly check departure, not bring the decent bucks in… as yet.

New V-F sticks amazing, but they do take a while to get used to (for that read… not the ideal shot placement today). More practice needed, especially on resting the rear of the rifle on the rear of the stick. About to attach loop of cord so sticks open to the required span. I’d be interested to hear how high you all have the V-F sticks set, I am 5 foot 10 high.

Take care out there, be safe.

Here is today’s head… v. dark
View attachment 213146

Yup the vipers are a game changer .almost as,good as prone once you get accustomed to them .Not sure about the string as it would prevent you from setting up your comfy height depending on whether your target was up hill or down from you. I love mine .. Cheers.

 

[samdk]

Productive trip out through stalking this morning in Sussex. Small amounts of rain, warm, sultry conditions. Lots of really thick wet grass in the open fields with odd does and fawns seen. Fawn call working with does ex bucks. Bucks often sitting on the tree/field margin.

Had an incredible experience with three separate roe bucks all barking at once. Roe bucks starting to get really territorial, but buttolu call only working to briefly check departure, not bring the decent bucks in… as yet.

New V-F sticks amazing, but they do take a while to get used to (for that read… not the ideal shot placement today). More practice needed, especially on resting the rear of the rifle on the rear of the stick. About to attach loop of cord so sticks open to the required span. I’d be interested to hear how high you all have the V-F sticks set, I am 5 foot 10 high.

Take care out there, be safe.

Here is today’s head… v. dark
View attachment 213146

I have mine set with the front rest one notch higher than the rear rest, this enables the rear legs to stand more vertically. I then brace the thigh of my lead leg against inside of the rear legs giving a much more stable rest and helping to eliminate the “back and forth” movement you somtimes get. Give it a try and see what you think, I would also advise some dry fire practice as any flinching is exaggerated with Vipers.

Sam

 

[Luke.243]

Thank you all
shared wisdom and a lot of time saved in the field finding out what you already know!

 

[muddy42]

An alternative to the numbers is that the extended sticks when bunched up and vertical should come up to the height of and fit under your nose when standing.

 

[Freeforester]

I see he’d been scrapping already, presuming that the bloody gash on his nose isn’t the entry point!

 

[Tazz]

I have the Carbon travel version of the vipers I think they are the best sticks out there, my rule of thumb is that when they are still clipped together put them directly in front of you and they should come up to your chin. ( No science was used in this law)

 

[MarkD123]

Nice write up that mate.
My VF sticks are the journey ones.
I’m 6’3” and have my sticks on D at the top and 5 on the bottom.
So total height = my chin height.