Some EXTREMELY basic tripod questions ...

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dave3006

Active member
Since a standing tripod is such a big part of night hunting, I have some (dumb) questions about setup with a tripod in the field.

1. How do you get the correct height without a center stalk in the tripod?

Most ground is uneven. And, you are setting up at night. I can see how I could get close. But, how do you get it exactly right?

Most tripods have several angles you can set the legs at and they "click in". I can see how changing the angle could be used to set the height. Do you risk having your gear hit the ground if you set them in between clicks to fine tune your height?

2. Instead of messing with the angle of the legs to fine tune height, do you like to have a center stalk to adjust up and down instead? I noticed most high end tripods don't have this. So, I figured there must be a reason.

I have always used a Primos trigger stick tripod in the past while sitting during day hunts. It is infinitely adjustable. I liked that. I even have a standing version. But, it was not good for night hunting.
 
This thread covers most of your questions on how I like do it:

www.predatormasters.com

Tripod Hacks

My choice for a tripod for night time while standing is the Leofoto LS-364C. https://leofotousa.com/products/leofoto-ls-364c-x-version-ranger-series-tripod It meets my use for total height, folded length, weight, and stability w/o breaking the bank. It's topped with their LB65 leveling base...
www.predatormasters.com www.predatormasters.com
 
Most true rifle tripods don't have a center stalk because you're trading adjustability for stability. Once you're set up in the field, you shouldn't have to make any adjustments to the tripod, and only use the head to move the gun around.

I don't really use the leg angles as a height adjustment, other than I use a narrower angle stop for standing, and a wider one for sitting. Most tripods have leg sections that are infinitely adjustable with just a twist of a collar. Use those to set the height. Once you get familiar with your tripod, you won't even think about it, you'll just know where the legs need to be for a certain scenario. If you use a head with a large range of motion (I love the RRS Anvil 30 for this), getting the apex close to level is not critical. As long as your gun can move to cover all the potential shot angles, that's all you need.
 
I carry the tripod with the legs extended to correct height for me. Flare out to the angle lock for setup. Sometimes rifle is already on the ballhead, sometimes sling carry rifle separate from tripod. This depends on walking conditions, I never risk dropping the rifle, especially crusted snow/slippery conditions. Big thing for me is noise, I want to be as quiet as possible. Both walking and setting up. A ball head or leveling unit makes setup MUCH easier and keeping sights on a moving animal.
 
Ah, to hunt on ground where 1 setting works for almost all situations🤭. My trips to Illinois the last 2 winters have made me jealous of you guys that have those terrains-though l won’t give up my hills and hollows no matter how much steeper the hills have gotten in the last few years🤣🤣.
DAVE, why hit it perfectly, dont over think it. When i changed from bipods to tripod in my hills it took a few weeks to tweak but now it is second nature.
 
dave3006 said:
I have always used a Primos trigger stick tripod in the past while sitting during day hunts. It is infinitely adjustable. I liked that. I even have a standing version. But, it was not good for night hunting.
Click to expand...
Why would the Trigger stick be good for day but not for night ?
I've been using a Trigger stick Tripod for both for years and actually prefer it at night because I don't have the luxury of seeing the ground.
Take it out of the scabbard, Pull the trigger and it's ready to go.
What it gives up in stability it makes up for in portability and set up.
With a trigger stick monopod tethered to the buttstock with the yoke adapter while in stand, it's steady as a rock.
Dropped this coyote at almost 300 yards.
SJC
10 8 Dog.jpg
 
Thanks Shoots. I have both those items without the saddle. But, I have never used it like that. I would be a little (a lot) afraid of knocking my $6000 night hunting rifle to the ground. Very clever approach though.
 
I use a trigger stick for hogs, mainly because it’s a walk in and shoot type deal. I go ahead and adjust it at the truck and once I get to where I want to shoot from I’ll just spread the legs and get down to business.
 
You can also mount it directly using an acra rail adapter with the Gen3 sticks, but I use different rifles and lend them to friends, so the Pig saddle works for me.
Here's a pic of the buttstock monopod yoke setup.
I travel light and walk a bit to get to some stands, and this is the lightest, compact, quickly adjustable and steadiest (With the monopod) set up I could cobble together that's lasted through years of hard use.
SJC
Trigger Mono 3.jpg
Trigger Mono 2.jpg
 
With a stable tripod you won't need the monopod. I think it would be pretty tough to make a shot on a moving target with that setup. Perhaps I'm missing something
 
You're not missing anything if you use a monopod.
I use the monopod for long range shots when using any of my tripods, not just with the trigger sticks.
I don't take long range moving shots, but I do track animals in my scope while using it and never had an issue.
SJC
 
why said:
With a stable tripod you won't need the monopod. I think it would be pretty tough to make a shot on a moving target with that setup. Perhaps I'm missing something
Click to expand...

Monopod pivots because its one point of contact with the ground. All it does is sure up your shoulder and upper body, doesnt restrict movement enough to keep you from following a yote with a tripod ball.
 
Since most of my land is flat and I'm poor I just use a BOG. It has three "settings" for the angle of the legs. I'm used to it now that I can just hold it in front of me and slide out the legs the correct length. Then if when I get to where I'm going and I have to make a slight adjustment I just push the legs in or out a little. <--- The angle.
 
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