Seated or standing

M

moog5050

New member
Curious if any of you call seated at night. I generally stand with a tripod and try to have some back cover but sometimes wonder if I would be better hidden seated. I know it would be tougher seated to swing left and right.
 
We do both. I believe I am steadier seated since there is a better anchor point for my elbow, but it does hamper the range of motion and requires moving the tripod rather than walking around it. Most nights I hunt with a partner and that eliminates having to move the tripod as much when seated to position for a shot. We both scan with head mounted thermals, and being seated also limits that range of motion as well, but with two it works pretty well.

Over 50% moon and we try to set up with a background behind us to break our outlines whether standing or sitting.
 
I am most likely in the minority but have made it known on Predator Masters that I prefer calling at night from a seated position. The main reason isn't trying to be more hidden, although it does help especially on brighter nights.

Sitting Advantages:
1) More stable shooting rest
2) Easier on back and legs
3) Warmer (I know this seems silly but it is true as long as sitting on some type of seat)
4) Less time/effort to deploy tripod legs. I keep the legs the same length and simply open to deploy.
5) More concealment

Standing Advantages:
1) Easier to see directly behind you
2) Easier to swing extreme angles left and right
3) Easier to see over brush/obstacles

Where I hunt there is rarely ever an issue with not being able to see over grass or brush, etc. I am usually sitting with the truck at my back so the chances of something coming from directly behind me are slim. There are times I have to scoot my butt one way or the other if a coyote doesn't stop or comes in at an extreme angle but a minimally extended tripod is fairly easy to move. For many people standing is the best option, but for me it is sitting.
 
Thanks guys. Where I hunt in NY, coyotes aren’t all that plentiful so I am always worried about blowing an opportunity when one finally comes along, but I may just try seated next outing. It is one more thing to carry too but worth a try.
 
I just use a Beard Buster Chair . This doesn't help if you need to be off the ground, but super, super light, and gives just enough back and butt support to be helpful. I throw it over my shoulder with the shoulder strap, and then put my AR with sling over the top of it. It keeps any handles/levers or other hard objects from the AR from digging into your back. It doesn't add any noticeable weight at all. I actually prefer carrying my AR with it under, compared to without.

My hunting partner would like to use one, but he is quite a bit wider than I am, so he says it would need to be larger to fit him.
 
Might consider a swivel top for a 5 gallon bucket. I think there are some with a back. I use one and it's silent when pivoting and one could modify the bucket if desired. The cost was about $7 but I suppose it's gone up like everything else.
 
I recently got an Ameristep Blind Chair from Amazon. They're about $25. Triangular seat that lets you move around the tripod a little. Pretty handy and light to take to the stand. Has a carry loop that is convenient.
 
I have a triangular folding stool that should work and fit in the backpack with my shockwave. Will try that first since I have one already.
 
Just me ... Daytime I always sit and hide with a tripod.. try to be invisible and not smell bad. Night time I always stand with tall tripod but make certain I have no silhouette, shadow or light my self or gun with scan or gun lights. My shots at night are always inside 50 yards so steady is not such a big deal to me. I only use red lights.
 
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