Yup it's pretty frustrating! I'm 25 now and my first deer hunt was when I was 16 also. Hopefully this year is my year. I'm going to shoot again tomorrow and try out my brothers bipod. As far as shooting sticks go, do they make shorter/smaller ones? I haven't decided yet but was contemplating using a ground blind so would if I go with shooting sticks I'd have to find some that fit with me. Either way I'm uber excited to even be out in the woods deer hunting again, can't wait to trade in my makeup and heels for coverscents boots and a gun this weekend!!