I have the Hog saddle on the Rekons, and no, I never carry them in a bag. To be honest, these days I ensure I don't walk further than is necessary!
Foxing from quad sticks
- Thread starter BenBhoy
- Start date
What did you not like about quad sticks ? I know they are a sod when brambles or bracken about and on side of hill. Super light has to be one of their best features. Fox last night running flat out towards me, way below height of quad sticks and another at 90 degrees to the 1st. Quad sticks just to slow to move at speed onto either
Just my humble opinion....I cover a lot of ground on foot when out foxing and the less kit I have to take the better. Rifle, caller, thermal spotter, sticks...its a pain to carry all of it..end of. Yes sticks may not be heavy but walking, spotting, climbing gates etc etc its an added hassle.
I have ground where I can take most shots prone so will avoid taking the sticks as its just easier and ground where I cant do without them. We are all different so not a one size fits all.
I have ground where I can take most shots prone so will avoid taking the sticks as its just easier and ground where I cant do without them. We are all different so not a one size fits all.
I think you are the 1st person to point out consider leaving the sticks at home - very good thought. Rekon's weight is 7lb with just the Arca Rifle mount. Prone not so nice in wet winter weather, but for accuracy - yes.
I prefer a bit of mud on me rather then carrying an extra 7lbs on a 4 mile hike
I also use quad sticks, now with the 5th leg. That I use for leaving the rifle in place on the sticks so I am free to look around 360 degrees scanning. This means that if the fox shows up, I just need to pull back on the sticks, 5th leg is shorter so is then out of the way, lift one side and twist to get on the fox. I don’t stand in brambles.
It isn’t usually an issue for me, I usually have plenty of time as I try to have a hedge or something hiding my outline.
Quad sticks are slower to deploy, but I find more stable, hence, set them up before if I am foxing. And of course using a caller put out 70 yards keeps the fox focused, ( hopefully) on the caller, and not you.
I have shot a couple of thousand rabbits off the sticks, so I have learned how to work them as best as I can.
The downside is I am so used to using them as quad sticks, I would never think to use them as twin sticks for a quick shot. Doh.
It isn’t usually an issue for me, I usually have plenty of time as I try to have a hedge or something hiding my outline.
Quad sticks are slower to deploy, but I find more stable, hence, set them up before if I am foxing. And of course using a caller put out 70 yards keeps the fox focused, ( hopefully) on the caller, and not you.
I have shot a couple of thousand rabbits off the sticks, so I have learned how to work them as best as I can.
The downside is I am so used to using them as quad sticks, I would never think to use them as twin sticks for a quick shot. Doh.
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
100yds, well big strides really and no, not feet shuffling. Off hand, light lever action, no bull barrel. Self trigger job.Or dont bother with the sticks and go prone or freehand (Smelly is the man for that)
Shot at an existing 22 hole.
The bullet hole at the bottom is a small game load checking for drop values.
Have you ever spent time using a heavier tripod ? Of course quad sticks are the norm for probably 95% of Fox shooters for a reason and no carbon tripod anywhere near the weight of carbon sticks can touch them for accuracy.I also use quad sticks, now with the 5th leg. That I use for leaving the rifle in place on the sticks so I am free to look around 360 degrees scanning. This means that if the fox shows up, I just need to pull back on the sticks, 5th leg is shorter so is then out of the way, lift one side and twist to get on the fox. I don’t stand in brambles.
It isn’t usually an issue for me, I usually have plenty of time as I try to have a hedge or something hiding my outline.
Quad sticks are slower to deploy, but I find more stable, hence, set them up before if I am foxing. And of course using a caller put out 70 yards keeps the fox focused, ( hopefully) on the caller, and not you.
I have shot a couple of thousand rabbits off the sticks, so I have learned how to work them as best as I can.
The downside is I am so used to using them as quad sticks, I would never think to use them as twin sticks for a quick shot. Doh.
Is it worth using twin sticks for foxing? If you are shooting out to say 125-150yds, then that is fine and you get unlimited panning ability.
The only problem I personally see with quads is if the ground is full of ostacles like very tall grass or brambles or stuff like that which makes picking up one leg and rotating difficult.
Otherwise, I would never be without quads. Easy to shoot out beyond 150yds and with your back up against something firm, then really there is little bother with shooting out to really distant range. I shot a rabbit with the 6.5mm the other day at a ranged 287yds off quads with my back up against an electricty pylon. Hit it absolutely where I aimed.
I use Fenris II carbons. They open up in all ways so you can take shots kneeling or sitting and they also have these little silicon straps so you can strap the gun in to both the front and rear yolks. I only use the rearward one if I am static waiting which means you can allow the butt of the rifle to sit in your shoulder with the weight back and be totally hands free (if the ground allows the muzzle to point safe) Otherwise, I have a little hook clamp thing on my fox call that hangs from my neck and I latch it on a piece of cord I have tied on through the hole under the rear yolk. I can then just allow the sticks to fall away from me so the muzzle hangs down safe and the rifle stays in situ due to the firm fixment of the silicon. Then when I want to take a shot, you just pull it towards you.
I walk too far to use a heavy tripod but if you are not moving far and do a lot of static shooting, I can see they would be ok. I guess it just depends what you are used to. I will say that for years my mate nagged me to use quads and I held off for too long as I liked the versatility of my home made twins. The reality though is that you extend effective range by a huge margin with quads. I got good with them shooting hundreds of rabbits on the golf course years back. In one movement you can ping them open and get the rifle up silently. Once that muscle memory is set, it is dead easy whether in day time or night time. I wouldn't be without mine now and it was a mistake to delay the purchase as long as I did. I do think it is important to get the right ones though. I hated my mates old Viperflex. No idea if the newer ones are better but I could not get on with them. They seemed very one dimensional in terms of the positions you could shoot from and out in the field in anger, I find myself on all sorts of terrain and slopes.
The only problem I personally see with quads is if the ground is full of ostacles like very tall grass or brambles or stuff like that which makes picking up one leg and rotating difficult.
Otherwise, I would never be without quads. Easy to shoot out beyond 150yds and with your back up against something firm, then really there is little bother with shooting out to really distant range. I shot a rabbit with the 6.5mm the other day at a ranged 287yds off quads with my back up against an electricty pylon. Hit it absolutely where I aimed.
I use Fenris II carbons. They open up in all ways so you can take shots kneeling or sitting and they also have these little silicon straps so you can strap the gun in to both the front and rear yolks. I only use the rearward one if I am static waiting which means you can allow the butt of the rifle to sit in your shoulder with the weight back and be totally hands free (if the ground allows the muzzle to point safe) Otherwise, I have a little hook clamp thing on my fox call that hangs from my neck and I latch it on a piece of cord I have tied on through the hole under the rear yolk. I can then just allow the sticks to fall away from me so the muzzle hangs down safe and the rifle stays in situ due to the firm fixment of the silicon. Then when I want to take a shot, you just pull it towards you.
I walk too far to use a heavy tripod but if you are not moving far and do a lot of static shooting, I can see they would be ok. I guess it just depends what you are used to. I will say that for years my mate nagged me to use quads and I held off for too long as I liked the versatility of my home made twins. The reality though is that you extend effective range by a huge margin with quads. I got good with them shooting hundreds of rabbits on the golf course years back. In one movement you can ping them open and get the rifle up silently. Once that muscle memory is set, it is dead easy whether in day time or night time. I wouldn't be without mine now and it was a mistake to delay the purchase as long as I did. I do think it is important to get the right ones though. I hated my mates old Viperflex. No idea if the newer ones are better but I could not get on with them. They seemed very one dimensional in terms of the positions you could shoot from and out in the field in anger, I find myself on all sorts of terrain and slopes.
You can very easy close quad sticks to 1 V also the footprint is the same a twin sticks with it only being a 2 point contact
I really like trigger sticks personally , one big point is the option to set up at so many different hights - fast and silent ! I often loose the Harris and shoot sat down . Whatever make sure you practice with what you have in all positions including live fire not just when your out hunting
That is well thought through information thankyou. I have heard good things about the Fenris. I also have some old light primos and with something to lean back on, usually a tree, they work well not too far out. Talking about long range, sometimes it is astounding how close you can get.
I have a heavy tripod, the head isn’t great for holding the rifle. That aside I just haven’t mastered the technique for shooting it like I have with the quad sticks. I had a long conversation with a couple of guys on the Zeiss stand a year or so ago, and they were into long range precision and we discussed stance etc. just never had the time to practice it. Most of my ground is open fields so the quads work well and no need to carry a heavy tripod.
I think many use direct to Arca on the tripod avoiding the extra weight and cost of the Pig or Hog saddle - Military always do. Like all things different - takes patience and lots of practice.
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Quad sticks all the way for me - B&Q’s finest! If you attach a strap or some such across the front poles you will be able to relax with the butt of the rifle leaning slightly back against your chest - the V made by the rifle’s weight on the strap also gives fine adjustment.
Any difficulties with repositioning will be overcome by practice and by simply lifting one side and swivelling as required - I even use a half-size set to get me above long heather on the hill so no biggie!
I would post a number of videos of foxes shot off the quads at 300 plus but obviously modesty prevents……
Any difficulties with repositioning will be overcome by practice and by simply lifting one side and swivelling as required - I even use a half-size set to get me above long heather on the hill so no biggie!
I would post a number of videos of foxes shot off the quads at 300 plus but obviously modesty prevents……
Eh...modesty..from you mateQuad sticks all the way for me - B&Q’s finest! If you attach a strap or some such across the front poles you will be able to relax with the butt of the rifle leaning slightly back against your chest - the V made by the rifle’s weight on the strap also gives fine adjustment.
Any difficulties with repositioning will be overcome by practice and by simply lifting one side and swivelling as required - I even use a half-size set to get me above long heather on the hill so no biggie!
I would post a number of videos of foxes shot off the quads at 300 plus but obviously modesty prevents……
View attachment 456801
Foxyboy43
Well-Known Member
Smellydog
Well-Known Member
I used a bipod for years, I don't mean them things fixed to the rifle. Two sticks you carry independently.
Not as stable as a tripod like trigger sticks but ok.
I bought a tripod didn’t like the weight and the way it handled the recoil in a hog saddle bought some blaster sticks with 5 th leg with the bosses you can pan around 25 yards wide at around a 100 and very rare once you on the track off the fox you need much more than that I still always have bipod on and will choose this every time if I can but leave it up on the stick most the time whilst scanning
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