I use the window sill. I already carry too much stuff to the blind as it is.

I here what you're saying, and I'm saying I'm not sure that's the case.

Have you used this device? Are you sure it's as stable as you think it is? I'm sure it makes it easier, but not as "point and shoot" as you might think.


Anyway, most hunters are hunting from a blind, feeder and it's under 100 yards. Not a lot of skill that has to be taken away in the first place.

No I haven't used the device or a bipod for that matter. I did ask if anyone was using them in my OP and maybe they could chime in on whether or not they are that stable.

I find it interesting that you guys are discussing something like this...a few years ago we hosted a orphan hunt on the lease I was a part of and the boy I took to my stand wanted me to hold and aim the rifle and let him pull the trigger which I refused to do because its my belief holding and aiming the rifle is part of it. And before someone jumps on me this young guy was plenty big enough to hold the rifle and find the deer in the scope and pull the trigger. After getting back I found out why he wanted me to hold it...because he wanted to kill as many animals as possible and he believed me holding the rifle gave him the best chance to do this. Apparently the boys were in a contest to see who could kill the most animals. It was a little disgusting when you find that it had nothing to do with hunting and everything about killing.

My point was that nearly everything we do 'takes away' from the hunt unless you are naked and attacking with your bare hands. Rifle vs bow vs spear. Tree vs blind vs still hunt. Camo clothing. Feeder. Isn't using any or all of those intended to give you an edge, and doesn't taking that edge detract? Im not calling you out, I'm just showing that we all hunt in different ways and whatever works for you, we'll, it works for you and should be fine as long as its legal.

As for he rest, if you've done everything you can to get a deer in position to take a shot, what is wrong with making sure you make he best shot possible? Isn't that the most ethical thing, really?

Loves me shooting benches and bags

Common shot distance in my stand is 100 to 200 yards. Earlier in the season, going thru the motions of holding the crosshairs on a fixed object, I noticed I'm not nearly as steady as I was a few years ago.
I bought a bipod that adjusts 41"-61". Now with the gun resting in the window, I place the bipod angling toward my shoulder. It's a big help for me. My 2€.

We have a couple of stands with holes in the sides from family members that DIDN'T rest in the window. They were holding the gun up to shoot, and could see the deer fine through the scope, just didn't realize that the barrel wasn't out of the window. I always use the window to rest, but place my hand between the gun and the window or have the sling between them to keep from scratching the stock.

As far as popup blinds go......I never open the windows very much, and the zippers hold well enough that the blind window supports the barrel for a good steady shot.

East, you will love the field pod. I bought mine to let my daughter shoot the crossbow out of the popup with. She has practiced a couple times and already on a quarter at 30 yards. Next time we go out to 40 yards. I can hit a quarter 95 times out of hundred at 40 yards.

You still got to get the deer in range people.....that is what makes it hunting. A perfect rest and un-miss able shot isn't worth a crap if you can't find the deer! And, I see posts on here everyday talking about how the deer have "left" and such, so don't tell me it is easy to get a 180" deer in front of my popup at 30 yards any day.

Use your wits to find the deer and use all technology possible to put him down! (I am talking low fence/fair chase here)

I set one up for my son for his 1st few hunts but never could get anything set right. It's great for target shooting but a moving animal and a 9 yr old excited kid with a fixed rest didn't work too good.... The one I had wasn't much of an advantage anyway... I don't have a problem with it tho...

A rest is a rest bipod, tripod, deadshot, blind window etc....A rest is just like in a feeder in the sense that it gives you an advantage. To each his own though!!

Sure Dustin. If you have a hard edge in a blind, I don't see a need.

But here are three examples of where we use them. First is my daughter setup in the middle of field wearing a Ghillie suit. We had to do this to intercept some axis, who were VERY cautious. Even in the middle of field, shot was 200-plus yards and movement had to be minimized or you'd get busted.




Second scenario is me from a self made temporary hide made from a piece of burlap and a lot of local brush/foiliage. Killing zone is very small, basically intercepting deer moving through a small choke point on the property. Beside being busted easily with any extraneous movement, I had to make a precise shot on the neck to drop/paralyze the deer right there, as the neighbor is unfriendly to hunters and I would not be able recover if the animal ran the wrong direction and crossed the fence.



Last is hunting from popup where no stable edge on flimsy popup window



All three cases is the Caldwell Field Pod, which is great product. It can also be used as a rest for sighting in if a bench is not available. It is also great to use for kids.

I picked it up on clearance at Cabela's for $49!!!

I use a full rifle rest as several seen here. I shoot under 100 yards to the feeder. I think it is all in how you look at it. Many here use mass expanding bullets that leave large exit holes. There is nothing wrong with that, it helps ensure a clean kill. I'm not downing that method. I recommend it in most cases. I just chose to use a full blown rest and minimal expanding bullets but I control everything I can to make sure I can put it right through the heart or between the eye and ear orfice.. My exit hole is about the size of the original bullet going in. I would not do this in areas I was not familiar with but I shoot my targets under the feeder several times a season from the rest and make sure I am dead on. I vote for the rest! You should do whatever you are most comfortable with because at the end of the day, if you lose a deer, the responsibility rests on your shoulders. I use the Cabela's model and I am very happy with it.

I have one like East and csdarden to use in my pop up. They work great. When you take long shots it really helps.

I got one for my son..
Here he is two years ago...

I use a sand bag for bench shooting and wing it in the blind or shoot in the prone position if I have to take a long shot when walking in or out. I use a bow from OCT/Nov.

If you free hand on high fence but use a rest on low fence does that make it equal..

i see what he is saying, using a fancy rest seems even easier..i use the blind widnow edges or if im in a pop up, just a shotting stick

In the blind I use a sand bag and the window sill. Is that cheating too?

Hearing that this many people shoot our of rests or off of sandbags in the blind makes me believe a few more of the shots I hear about. Never been in someone's blind that had bags or a rest.

I think the lines between "hunting" and "harvesting" have become blurred in today's world.

My sense of accomplishment and feeling of excitement when foot stalking a screaming bull elk with a pointy stick through the mountains is much greater than sitting in a stand with a rifle over a feeder with a steady rest. When I shoot a deer that way I feel no excitement, only sadness for taking a life and joy for having meat in the freezer.

Y'all's deer must be better programmed than mine. I have nothing against rests but couldn't use most of these contraptions because the deer would often be gone before I could get everything in place/bring it to bear.

I'm thinking the same thing. I spend too much money on preperation as it is, and I have never used a fancy rest for hunting, it just seems to me that a person can become too dependent on using a rest, and if a shot presented itself with only seconds to spare, that deer would be gone.