I will admit I really lack with off hand shooting most the time. But the funny thing is when the time comes hunting to do a snap shot, I usually pull it off. One rifle I have that really helped is my custom .54 caliber. With that Swamped barrel it balances just right when you place your hands a certain place. And if you shoot fast I can avoid the drifting barrel syndrome.

But when I hunt I carry a walking stick I made out of Alder wood.



Alder or Tag Alder as we call it is a very hard dense wood. I dried three sticks for two years in the rafters of my wood shed. Then took the one that stayed straight. I peeled it with a draw knife, sanded it smooth, and then using linseed oil treated it. That thing is hard as a rock. And I can grab it near the top, rest a rifle on my fist and do some pretty good shooting off it. Because I stink at open free hand shooting. Especially since I tore out a lot of muscles in my arm and shoulder.

My friends tell me if I miss I can club then to death with that Alder stick. It really is that hard. Makes nice axe handles too. Although its heavy wood.