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