How to make a tripod shooting rest

As spring turns to summer and the vegetation grows, your choice of shooting position might change – it might have to change. Flexibility and adaptability are key. So what to do when shooting from a standing position, off sticks, leaves you too exposed and a shot from the prone position isn’t possible because of the height of the cover? This quick and easy-to-make tripod could be just the ticket.

What you need...

3 plastic-coated garden poles (each should be level with your eyebrow line
when you are sitting on the ground and the poles are upright)
3 heavy-duty cable ties
2 old socks
Heavy-duty tape
A pair of scissors
Hacksaw

Step 1: Measure and cut the poles

Mark the poles at equal lengths. When upright, they should be level with your eyebrow line when you are sitting on the ground. Cut the poles with the saw.

Step 2: Tie the poles together

Tie two of the poles together, then run a cable tie from one of them to the third pole. Then cut the cable ties, leaving an end of a few millimetres. Adjust the position of the cable ties as necessary to achieve the desired tripod structure. It is a good idea at this stage to test the height of the tripod when sitting down in a shooting position.

Step 3: Make the padding

Cut the socks into rings that are an inch thick. Wrap a ring of fabric around each of the poles, above and below the cable ties, folding them back on themselves to ensure a snug fit. This fabric will serve as padding, protecting your rifle stock and ensuring the tripod can be deployed and carried quietly.

Step 4: Tape the padding

Once you are happy with the positioning of the padding and function of the tripod, cut lengths of tape and wrap them tightly around the fabric and cable ties, being sure not to tape the poles together and hinder their movement.

Step 5: Tape any sharp edges

Depending on the type of poles used, you may have sharp ends remaining where you have cut them. Tape over these ends.

Step 6: Practise

Shooting well from a sitting position can take a bit of getting used to. Practise deploying your tripod and making the adjustments necessary to each leg in order to take a shot at various angles.