I've learned the hard way over the years too. Being a lefty and shooting a flinter it takes an extremely concious effort to stay on target when that flash goes off in front of you nose. I've missed a lot of deer by not using a rest of some sort. Now, as a minimum I shoot from the kneeling position. But always try to use some sort of rest - tree, rock, anything. The way I hunt, a lot of walking makes carrying shooting sticks cumbersome. The ML is heavy enough. Maybe those sling sticks would work. hmmmmm