If you've ever tried to make a precision shot in the field under pressure, you know that your shooting support can be the difference between a clean kill and a miss you'll think about all season. Shooting sticks have been the go-to for decades. But the Tricer RP Bipod is making hunters rethink the tradeoff between simplicity and performance.
Here's a straight-up comparison — no fluff.
What Are Traditional Shooting Sticks?
Shooting sticks are exactly what they sound like: one, two, or three legs (monopod, bipod, or tripod configuration) that you jam into the ground and rest your rifle on. They're lightweight, cheap, fast to deploy, and they've been used by hunters and guides in Africa, the American West, and everywhere in between for generations.
The appeal is obvious. You can carry a set of shooting sticks for under a pound and under $50. In thick brush or when you're moving fast, they get the job done.
The problem? "Good enough" in the field has a cost. Shooting sticks offer limited adjustability, no fine-tuning, and zero consistency from shot to shot. Every time you set them up, it's slightly different. Under adrenaline, that adds up fast.
What Makes the Tricer RP Bipod Different?
The Tricer RP Bipod was designed specifically for hunters who need precision — not just field expedient support. It attaches directly to your rifle, which means your point of contact is consistent every single time. The legs adjust independently, so you can level your rifle on uneven terrain without fighting your position.
A few things that matter in the field:
- Cant and pan: The RP Bipod allows you to cant the rifle to follow a moving animal without repositioning your whole body. Shooting sticks can't do that.
- Height adjustment: Independent leg adjustment means you can shoot prone on a hillside or from a bench without compromise. With sticks, you're fighting the terrain.
- Attachment: The RP Bipod attaches to your rifle's ARCA or Picatinny rail. Your support moves with your gun. Sticks are a separate piece you're always managing.
- Recoil management: Because the bipod is attached, it absorbs and channels recoil consistently. With sticks, recoil can send your rifle off the rest entirely.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Wins?
Backcountry Spot-and-Stalk
Weight matters here. Shooting sticks win on pack weight — a basic set runs 8–12 oz. The RP Bipod adds more to your rifle, but it stays on your gun, which means it's always with you when the shot happens. No digging in your pack. No setting up sticks while an animal is walking. After a full year of backcountry use (see the Backwoods Pursuit review above), the RP Bipod's consistency in real field conditions is what sets it apart.
Open Country Mule Deer or Elk
This is where the RP Bipod separates itself. Long shots across canyons or basins demand consistency. Shooting sticks on uneven ground at 300+ yards is a prayer. The RP Bipod gives you a repeatable, stable platform regardless of what the ground is doing under your elbows.
Treestand or Blind Hunting
Shooting sticks can work inside a blind. A bipod on a rifle can be awkward to manage in tight quarters. This is one scenario where sticks have a genuine edge — though it's a narrow use case compared to everything else.
Africa-Style Safari or Guide Work
Professional hunters and guides have used shooting sticks for 100 years for good reason: they're simple, universal, and work with any rifle. If you're handing a rifle to a client with no bipod experience, sticks are easier. If you're the hunter who practices with your own setup, the RP Bipod wins.
The Honest Trade-Off
Shooting sticks are a $30–$100 solution that gets you 80% of the way there. They're fast, flexible, and work with any rifle without modification.
The Tricer RP Bipod is a precision tool. It requires an ARCA or Picatinny rail on your rifle. It costs more. And it rewards hunters who practice and prioritize the shot over simplicity.
If you're hunting elk in the backcountry, chasing mule deer across open basins, or just tired of losing shots to inconsistent support — the RP Bipod is the upgrade that pays off when it matters.
If you're hunting thick timber with your truck close by and your shots are under 150 yards, sticks will serve you fine.
What a Year of Field Use Looks Like
Backwoods Pursuit put the RP Bipod through a full year of hard use before filming the review above. Watch it for the real-world data on durability, field performance, and whether the $350 price tag is justified. It's one of the most thorough independent reviews out there.
Bottom Line
Shooting sticks are a tool. The Tricer RP Bipod is a system. Both have a place — but if you're serious about putting animals down cleanly at distance, the RP Bipod gives you a level of consistency that shooting sticks can't match.
The shot you've been training for deserves better than a stick in the dirt.