Your rifle might shoot one-inch groups from a bench, but no deer is going to walk up to your bench. Real hunting shots happen from tree stands, ground blinds, sitting against a tree or kneeling behind a fence row. The steadier you are in those positions, the more often your shot lands where you aimed.
The rule: use a rest whenever you can
Offhand standing shots are the least steady of all. Whenever possible, rest the rifle on something solid, like a tree, a stand rail, a fence post, a backpack or shooting sticks. Rest the forend, not the barrel, so the rifle can recoil consistently.
Shooting sticks
Bipod or tripod shooting sticks are popular in open country and from ground blinds. A tripod is steadier than a bipod. Set the height so you can stay upright and relaxed. Lean into the rifle slightly and let your bones, not your muscles, support the weight.
Sitting
Sitting is one of the most useful field positions. Sit with your legs in front of you, either crossed or with knees raised, and rest your elbows just in front of your knees. Bone-on-muscle contact (the back of your arm against the front of your knee) is steadier than bone-on-bone. Add sticks or a backpack and sitting becomes nearly as steady as prone.
Kneeling
Kneeling is quick to get into and gets you above tall grass. Sit on your heel and rest your support elbow just in front of your knee. It is less steady than sitting, so use a rest if you can.
Prone
Lying flat with a bipod or backpack under the forend is the steadiest field position. It is less common in the thick woods of the East, but valuable in open fields and anywhere you have time to set up.
Tree stand shooting
From a stand, use the shooting rail or pad. Practice from the same height at your local range or at home with a safe setup. Remember that the angle changes your aim slightly, and always wear a full-body safety harness connected to the tree.
A simple practice plan
- Practice each position dry with an unloaded, verified-clear rifle at home, following all safety rules.
- At the range, fire three-shot groups from each position at 100 yards.
- Note where you can keep all three shots within a deer’s vital zone, about 8 inches. That is your effective range for that position.
- Never take a shot beyond the range you can make reliably.
Ethics first
A hunter who knows their limits makes cleaner kills and loses fewer wounded animals. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it, pass on shots you can’t make confidently, and practice until your steady positions are second nature.