Thread: Debate - Do we need bipods for hunting?

Most of the deer i shoot are at some distance, most are 400 yards or beyond, I hunt places where i target slips and clearings, so generally will fit my bipod and suppressor for these shots. My 7mm SAUM is a very light rifle, so the DPT with 6 baffles takes the sting out of it when prone. However I certainly do pick up the odd deer while walking into my hunting area, or when walking from one vantage point to another one.

I generally never have my bipod and suppressor fitted to my rifle while walking, I hate carrying it with a big long suppressor and bipod fitted, instead, i keep them in my pack and fit prior to making a longer shot.

When shooting off a bipod while hunting, i will always try to use something i have with me as a support as a rear rest, a rolled up jacket, or my fleece gloves stuffed into my camera case makes quite a good rear rest (If fact thats what i did when i made my 994 yard deer shot) any sort of rear rest makes a huge difference i find beyond say 350 yards. I just use the old swivel Harris bipod with spikes on the feet, pretty solid.

Shooting off a pack can work well for closer distances, but i like being able to load the rifle with my shoulder which helps me keep it steady for the longer shots. I was up the ruahines on Wednesday night, and setting up to shoot a deer on a face slightly above me at 400 yards, with the lay of the land etc i was shooting from, i had to have my bipod legs sitting ontop of my pack to get enough height.