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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 28, 2019)
10 // Grant County Hunting Journal 2019 // MyEagleNews.com SHOOTING THE BREEZE Field marksmanship skills position. It was the only rest to be had. Prone is rock veryone likes steady. Whether shooting with a sling, shooting nice tight improvised rest or little groups, and a bipod, prone is I must admit that the closest thing to is really fun. Lord knows I’ve spent and will yet benchrest shooting spend many an hour doing just that there is in the that. But from a practical point field. Your entire of view, shooting groups from body is at rest and a bench rest, although a good being supported. way to test out new guns or new Alas, high grass, loads, is basically a useless exer- brush or the lay cise for hunters once their smoke- of the land some- times don’t per- pole has been zeroed. Don’t get mit it. Some of me wrong, it’s a valuable tool for my very best range work as it eliminates most shots have been of the human error from the equa- tion. Other products like the Cald- made from to d pho well Lead Sled go even further to this position. Contribute do so, especially with larger caliber, Years ago I on. s hard-kicking magnum rifles. But was elk hunt- a e s 8 1 0 the 2 st day of ing and came upon a group of four coy- when it comes to useful practice, the la e th n o e buc k s s e th t otes about 150 yards off. Before me on the trail was a giant field positions are where it’s at. o h ce s Zarom Bru d n a The four field positions are off- flat rock. So, laying down flat on the rock and assuming a , ft le lade, t Dale Va hand, kneeling, sitting and prone. never know when it will come in handy. prone position with a hasty sling, I took aim. I got three of Columnis them before the fourth decided that, whatever I was selling, Of course any improvised rests Kneeling is more steady than offhand, he didn’t want any. When using a bipod attachment, make encountered in the field can be very successfully used as and unless you’re hunting in tall brush, it’s well, though they usually go in tandem with one of the a quick position to assume. In this position, sure and sight in your rifle with that in place. It may sur- prise you, but your gun might shoot different with a bipod other positions, but we will tentatively add that as a fifth your supporting arm is braced upon the attached to the front of it. category. top of your knee while kneeling. My very Offhand is generally understood to be the least steady Lastly, improvised rests are just exactly that, improvised. first year hunting deer I struggled might- ily, missing a few deer taking wild, offhand Over the years I’ve used trees and stumps, rocks, brush, position and is typically only used for shooting at shorter distances or at moving game where there is no time to the breaks of hills and my hunting pack for a rest. Make Dale Valade shots. It wasn’t until Dad taught me the kneeling position that I started getting con- locate or use an improvised rest. In some instances, merely whatever you have work for you. Last year, I had a dam- fidence and making shots. I shot my very first buck in 1997 age control cow elk tag to fill. From where I took the shot, taking the time to lean against a tree will steady you right from the kneeling position at about 50 yards. I believe my there was no really good way to lay prone or sit due to the up to make the shot. Offhand is the most difficult to master second buck was also taken with a similar shot from the terrain. but is a necessary skill. When I was a budding rookie, my kneeling position. So I kind of sat, and kind of lay prone and rested the grandfather taught me how to wrap my rifle sling around When taking a shot from sitting, I like to dig the heels forend of my rifle on the bottom wire of a four-strand my supporting arm in what is known as a “hasty sling.” To of my boots into the ground to provide a slip-resistant grip. barbed wire fence and held it against the T-post with my this day, the reason I (and Grampa Duane) prefer the old I angle myself to provide not only a sufficient rest for my supporting hand. It was steady as could be, and when I military style of leather sling on my rifles is because it can be used to add additional stability to my aim offhand or any supporting arm on one knee, but I also rest the elbow of my squeezed off my shot, I knew I had my elk. Steadying your aim before letting fly is a principle of shooting arm on the other knee or my thigh. Where pos- of the other field positions if adjusted properly. sible, if you can find something to sit against, such as a Hasty sling is simple. While holding your rifle by your fundamental marksmanship. Whatever tools you can carry shooting hand, the supporting arm is thrust between the stump or a bush this will result in an even more steady aim. along with you to help make the shot are well worth the rifle and the sling, twisted back around the sling (wrapping This is much steadier than either offhand or kneeling as you fuss. By practicing getting into and shooting from field it around your supporting arm), and then you just grab the are providing bone to bone support for both arms. I mostly positions you’ll be much better prepared for any shot forend like normal. If the sling is cinched properly it should use this position when shooting in open country and there opportunities that are presented. The quicker you aban- be a snug fit once the rifle is shouldered. If it’s too tight or are no improvised rests to be had or there is too much brush don the bench once its purpose has been served, the quicker your field marksmanship will develop. Your freezer will too loose, adjust accordingly. For me this is best achieved or rocks blocking a shot from prone. If you carry shooting thank you! with leather or nylon slings as the neoprene or padded sticks, it’s likely that you also frequently utilize the sitting What’s your favorite position? Email us at shootingthe- slings typically have too much give to ever get snug. They position. Sticks are a great tool as occasionally it’s not pos- sible to properly arrange yourself as I described because of breezebme@gmail.com! are designed more with a comfortable carry in mind than physical or terrain limitations. In 2009 I took a 6x3 buck in Dale Valade is a local country gent with a deep love for as a shooting aid. Even on my .22s, where possible, I use Murderers Creek unit, with a 175 yard shot from the sitting handloading, hunting and shooting. a hasty sling whether plinking or hunting small game. You By Dale Valade For the Blue Mountain Eagle E
