Hunting is an enjoyable sport in the USA. Many people hold legal licenses for hunting. According to Statista, 38.59 million Americans hold hunting licenses, tags, permits, etc. Moreover, the US government promotes hunting as a sport. This is because the decline in hunting can threaten conservation funding. After all, it depends primarily on the sales of hunting licenses.
Hunting is a sport that requires the utmost attention to detail. One wrong move and you could miss your target, causing you to lose an entire day of hunting. To help you succeed at their craft, you will need some essential accessories for precision hunting, including rifle scopes and optical sights, shooting sticks, bipods, etc.
Rifle Scopes
Scope magnification is one of the essential features to consider when buying a rifle scope. The higher the magnification, the more expensive and heavier the scope. You should choose your magnification based on how far away you plan to shoot.
For example, if you’re hunting from 100 yards away or less, then a 3-9x40mm would be adequate. But if you plan on shooting from long distances, like 300+ yards, it’s best to go with something like 10x42mm.
Several other factors can affect your rifle’s performance with a certain scope mount. These can include the following:
- Eye relief
- Field of view
- Weight
- Durability
- Price point
- Mounting options like rings and adapters, etc.
Rifle scopes are almost an integral part of rifles. Rifles are usually used for long-distance shooting. On the other hand, having scopes can help with a clear view of the target. Hence, they go well with each other. Due to this very reason, the global rifle scope market is expected to grow exponentially. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2020 to 2027.
Shooting Sticks
Shooting sticks are a basic yet essential gear for the precision hunter. Shooting sticks can be used to steady your shot, improve your position and angle on the target, and minimize detection by prey.
Shooting sticks are generally lightweight, collapsible wooden handholds that attach with a small metal pin or rubber band. Some versions have an adjustable height feature that allows you to get into a better position at different ranges. You can also use shooting sticks to increase the distance between you and your target by using them as poles to prevent yourself from being seen while hunting in an area with limited visibility.
Optical Sights
Optical sights are incredibly useful for increasing accuracy in the field. They can be used on rifles or handguns and help you see past obstacles in low light conditions, which means you won’t miss a shot when it matters most.
You may wonder why this accessory is necessary for hunting rather than target practice. The truth is that when it comes to long-range shooting, optical sights are one of the best ways to improve your aim and hit moving targets with ease, and there’s no better way to accomplish that than with an optic sight.
There are different types of sights, each with some benefits and disadvantages. For instance, night optics, red dot sights, holographic sights, etc., are some options you can choose to mount on your rifle. When deciding between sights, it is best to compare each.
You can do a red dot vs. holographic sights comparison to choose between the two types of sights. Red dots are easier to use, while holographic sights are a little complicated. However, holographic sights offer better precision than the former. Hence, you should compare and see which provides better benefits to your hunting style.
Rifle Bipods
The ability to quickly deploy a bipod is one of the most essential features you will look for when choosing a bipod. You want to be able to set up your rifle and be ready to shoot within seconds.
The best way to do this is by having a quick-release lever on the side of your bipod, allowing you to drop it quickly if necessary or even remove it entirely if you are transporting your rifle by hand or storing it away in an overhead compartment or gun safe.
The next step is deciding what type of bipod is right for you, swivel leg or fixed leg. Swivel leg models can pivot freely at any point on their legs and are ideal for terrain where uneven ground makes using one fixed position impossible. However, they also have some drawbacks.
Fixed leg designs tend to provide more stability and allow greater customization because the shooter can choose exactly where he wants his feet planted on the ground based on his body height and shooting style.
Rifle bipods are extremely useful in mountain hunting. This is because stability and precision are of utmost importance for mountain hunting. You can even use your backpack and still hit the target, but they are usually unreliable. But when you use bipods, you can rest assured that they will offer the best rest.
Rangefinders
Rangefinders are the most important accessory for hunting, and they’re also the most interesting. They can measure the distance between you and your target, which helps track the game and calculate the best shot. However, rangefinders have a lot of other features that make them useful for precision hunting.
For example, if you’re hunting with friends or family members who don’t have a rangefinder yet, consider buying one as an accessory so everyone can share in this great experience. You can train yourself to use it together before heading out into the field. Having multiple people equipped with one will increase your chances of success.
Rangefinders aren’t just useful when using a gun, either. They’re equally helpful when using a bow or crossbow. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s legal where you live, check out some informational resources on the internet for help.
Conclusion
You need accessories such as rifle scopes and rifle bipods to help you succeed at hunting. The right accessories can help you be more accurate and effective when hunting. While it might not seem like much, their small size can significantly affect your success rate. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping today.