Hunter Field Target is a popular outdoor airgun discipline, which sees the competitor take on a course of reactive knock-down targets, laid out through woodland, or across fields.
Much like Golf, we are in a lovely country location, with the added bonus of a bit of sport thrown in. The standard freestyle default shooting position is lying prone on the ground, with the odd compulsory standing or kneeling shot along the way.
It can take around three hours to navigate a 30 target course, and whilst it’s absorbing and a real challenge, to some of us with advancing years, and aching joints, just the getting up and down between target lanes, can be a challenge too far.
Easier Path
Hunter Field Target at national level, has now introduced a ‘Stick Shooters’ class, and this means any shooter can opt to shoot the target course taking each shot from a stick tripod. That means you don’t have to get down on the floor, instead, just movie through the course, and set up your sticks at the designated peg point.
Shots are all taken from a standing position, but the sticks effectively hold the bulk of the weight of the gun. That means less fit, shooters, more frail or elderly shooters, can all enjoy their sport, safe in the knowledge that they are only competing against fellow shooters in the Stick class.
Rules?
With the popularity of the Stick class, new rules have been introduced by the UKAHFT (United Kingdom Air Rifle Hunter Field Target Association), and these state that all shots are to be taken from the standing position; including the shots that would be ‘positional’ for other shooters i.e. kneelers, or specified prone shots. That makes sense, as it keeps things fairly simple. The rules also state that ‘no excessive padding or clamping device should be used, and the shooter’s lead hand needs to support either their rifle or the sticks. Normal rules still apply, such as ‘the shooter must ensure the rifle’s muzzle is over the firing line, and that the trigger doesn’t go over the firing line.
HFT designates a ‘peg’ on each lane, a stake or post in other words, which the shooter would normally have to make contact with, whilst aiming for the shot. Where Stick class now differs, is the shooters stick tripod needs to be positioned over the peg; likewise a bipod if preferred, or even a monopod, with the ‘single leg of the stick placed within 500mm either side of the peg’.
The stick needs to be placed on the firing line or no more that 150mm back from the firing line’. That all sounds fair enough, and it’s great to see the level of take-up for this section for sure.
The principle of the Stick class is also being adopted nationwide at club level, and this has seen a few shooters who had all but given up on competition shooting, being given a new lease of life. That’s heartening to see, helping to justify the boast of shooting being a genuine ‘sport for all’.
Options
However, the advantage of shooting with sticks is just as applicable to live hunting. Stick (tripod) assemblies start at around £60 for a standard simple design, but more upmarket models can hit £400 plus.
Retractable all-terrain feet, and a custom secure gun clamping system up top, can all make a big difference where subtle control is the order of the day. Clamp the rifle, and it becomes an almost hands-free situation, perfect for hunting, but not permissible in HFT remember.
Being able to cant the gun in the grip, and smoothly pan around to view the panorama, are all details that will matter to some, so like anything, it can be as complex and sophisticated as you want it to be.
Last Word
Hill Hydraulic Quad Sticks take the stick principle to a new level given that they cleverly create 4 points of contact with the floor, supporting the back and front of the rifle in the process. These are available in the Range & Country shop, constructed from carbon fibre and high grade anodised aluminium, and are made in Sheffield, England, by Hill. The design is all about quality and precision, allowing for full movement to enable smooth silent tracking of the target.
Quality comes at a price of course, but it’s a clever design which will appeal to serious hunters and professional pest controllers. A rock solid platform in the field, means shots can be taken with added precision and confidence.
Perfect for maximising results when out hunting, and that’s where we owe it to our quarry to be as accurate as possible, in order to minimise wounding after all.
Of course such a huge advantage unsurprisingly, wont be allowed on an HFT competition target course; but for hunting scenarios, it really is the last word in high-tech hardware.
Until next time, happy shooting.
Range & Country
