Reviewed: BOG Deadshot Shooting Sticks
For turkey hunters, especially those who like to stay mobile and cover ground, a good shooting support needs to balance stability, weight and ease of adjustment. The BOG DeadShot lineup does that well, with each model fitting a slightly different style of hunting.
BOG Deadshot Monopod
The BOG DeadShot Monopod is a great fit for run-and-gun turkey hunting. It is lightweight enough to strap to a pack or carry all day without noticing it, but it still gives hunters a steadier hold when a bird hangs up at a distance or a shot opportunity comes together fast.
The foam grip is comfortable in cold weather, while the external twist locks make it easy to adjust height quietly and quickly in the field.
For hunters who like to stay mobile and rarely sit in one place long, the monopod is probably the best option. It is simple, dependable and easy to use without adding bulk to a vest or pack. With an MSRP of $32.99, it is also one of the more affordable options in the lineup.
BOG Deadshot Bipod
The BOG Deadshot Bipod adds a little more stability for hunters who expect longer shots or spend more time sitting and waiting. It offers the kind of extra steadiness many hunters are looking for when compared to a monopod, especially for hunters shooting from blinds or anyone who wants more support while waiting on a bird to commit.
That added stability does come with a tradeoff. A bipod is slightly bulkier and a little slower to reposition quickly, which may not suit hunters constantly moving from ridge to ridge or chasing gobbles across big country. Still, for hunters who prefer to set up in one place and let the woods come alive around them, the bipod can be a good middle ground between mobility and support.
BOG Deadshot Tripod
BOG's Deadshot Tripod in Mossy Oak Bottomload is featherlight at 2.2 pounds and includes a comfortable foam grip for the carry in. Its best feature is that it adjusts down to nearly 2 feet off the ground, perfect for your perch against a hardwood in turkey season. The Deadshot's yoke does the heavy lifting for you — it's amazing how heavy a 7-pound shotgun is after holding it for 20-30 minutes waiting for a gobbler to get in range.
The one risk — once your tripod is set, you've got about a 10-foot window at 30-40 yards that a gobbler can move left or right (depending on your shooting orientation) before it moves out of your sight window with the gun forearm in the yoke. You should be able to move the gun off of the tripod and onto your knee as the bird passes behind a tree or becomes intrigued with a decoy, but the movement is slightly risky.
Either guess correctly on the direction the bird will approach, or be stealthy with your movement. It beats holding the gun up for long periods of time either way. The Deadshot also easily adjusts to 64 inches for a variety of shooting uses while standing and serves as a great gear accessory in both the spring and fall.
Ultimately, the right Deadshot comes down to a hunter’s style. Those who spend spring covering ground, slipping through timber and chasing every distant gobble will appreciate the lightweight simplicity of the monopod. Hunters who prefer to sit longer or may face more difficult shots will likely find the bipod strikes the best balance between mobility and added stability. For those hunting from blinds or alongside youth hunters, the tripod offers the steadiest platform of the three.
No matter which model fits best, the Deadshot lineup gives turkey hunters dependable support without adding unnecessary weight or complexity to their setup.