Are you considering buying shooting sticks but unsure which option to choose from the wide range available on the market? Our test of the Dead Silent Kneeling model from the BOG portfolio can help you decide.
The renowned brand BOG includes a wide array of hunting and shooting accessories in its portfolio, primarily bipods and tripods of all kinds, as well as backpacks and other equipment. I have personally been using the BOG DeathGrip Infinite tripod for quite some time, and I genuinely cannot praise it enough. However, for challenging terrains that require a lot of walking, its larger weight and dimensions aren’t always the best choice. A bipod mounted directly onto the firearm, on the other hand, does not allow for shooting while seated, which can be a limiting factor when hunting in flat areas with taller vegetation. An alternative is extra-long bipods, but these tend to be quite obstructive on the firearm and disproportionately increase its overall weight. Another option is traditional shooting sticks. I decided to expand my gear with the latter, and based on my excellent experience with BOG, I chose the BOG Dead Silent Kneeling model. What is it like?
Subtle but Sturdy Construction
The Dead Silent Kneeling shooting sticks are minimalist, foldable shooting aids that allow shooting from kneeling, seated, or prone positions, and can also serve as a traditional walking stick, aiding in navigating challenging terrain. The legs are made from anodized tubes of high-quality aluminum alloy with an outer diameter of 15 mm. The discreet matte black finish is only broken by a tastefully embossed BOG logo and two light gray polymer collars.
Despite their subtle construction, they provide a solid support system, capable of effortlessly holding even a heavy rifle while also being suitable for supporting the hunter themselves. While not strictly "heavy-duty" indestructible equipment, I am convinced they will last for years, even under above-average demanding use. The legs feature a pair of adjustable polymer clips that allow the legs to be quickly joined or separated, providing cohesion comparable to a classic single shooting stick. Alternatively, this configuration can be used to adjust the support's height to a lower setting. Each leg is composed of three sections. This design allows the sticks to be folded for transport and to adjust to the desired height. When fully extended, the sticks can support a rifle just under a meter above the ground, which is sufficient for comfortable kneeling shots. Moreover, the height of the firearm can be fine-tuned further by adjusting the leg spread, accommodating the heights of most shooters. Prefer shooting while seated? No problem! Simply pull out the lower sections from their housing, snap them into the polymer clips on the higher sections, securing them in place, and you’ll have a height of approximately 60 cm. If necessary, you can even shoot in a prone position with the rifle supported solely by the top section. In the configuration where the sticks are clipped together for walking support, the total length of the model is 104 cm. The individual sections are connected by an elastic cord that pulls them into their slots and secures them in place. Thanks to this design, folding or unfolding takes only a matter of seconds—with a bit of practice, not even that.
The entire setup weighs just 312 grams and, when folded, forms a compact package 41 cm in length, making it neither cumbersome nor obstructive. The model can be easily attached to any backpack with external loops or stowed directly inside. When folded, the sections are held together by an elastic cord near the handle, which wraps around the bundle of leg sections and secures them. This cord can also serve as a wrist strap for additional support.
When folded, the sticks form a compact package 38 cm in length with negligible weight. They are held together by a wrapped elastic loop hooked onto a designated protrusion.
Fully extended legs provide optimal height for shooting while kneeling.
Simply snap the lower sections of the legs into the clips, and you have a comfortable height for shooting while seated on the ground. The grips are so adhesive that they hold the firearm securely without the need for additional support.
Hidden Spikes
Each upper section of the legs is equipped with a polymer cap at the bottom, preventing the sticks from collecting mud when the shortened legs are pressed into the ground, and ensuring that the weight of the firearm doesn’t cause them to sink into soft soil. The ends of the lower sections are fitted with wider rubber heads on threaded mounts. When unscrewed to their maximum position (which is limited by a stop to prevent them from coming loose and being lost), they make direct contact with the ground. However, when fully screwed in, spikes emerge from the center, providing more stable support on certain types of terrain. This design is a more user-friendly solution compared to removable spikes, which are sometimes found on competing models. The handles, or more precisely, the grips that also serve as cradles for the firearm, are made of moderately soft rubber material with a very aggressive texture and excellent grip. Not only does this make them comfortable to hold, but it also ensures they stay firmly in place on the rifle’s forearm without slipping, even at significant angles, without requiring you to hold the sticks with your hands. The connection between the two legs is formed by a solid mass between the rubber grips. It’s a minimalist design, but I trust its more-than-sufficient strength and durability.
While the sticks cannot be unfolded completely silently (after all, they are connected aluminum rods), the rubber sleeves on the joints significantly reduce noise. Once unfolded, you don’t have to worry about noise alerting game. The locking mechanism prevents the legs from rattling against each other, and the soft cradle avoids clicking when you place or adjust a rifle in it. If necessary, the sticks can be easily separated into two independent sections. Simply pull one leg out of the grip. However, there’s no need to fear accidental separation—they are firmly seated.
During practical tests, I used the Dead Silent sticks to shoot from all possible positions and heights, both with a heavy rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor and a significantly lighter but more powerful .444 Marlin, as well as a semi-automatic AR-15 chambered in .223 Remington with a Picatinny rail forearm. Altogether, I fired around 500 shots. Additionally, I used them to navigate treacherous Alpine slopes in Austria, and on one occasion, I even used the separated legs as supports for a tarp while camping. In all instances, the sticks performed flawlessly. Their strength was more than sufficient, with a solid margin of safety. Under load or during shooting, there was no flex or deformation. The grip of the cradle was so firm that the sticks moved with the rifle during recoil without the firearm slipping out of place. Overall, I have no complaints in this regard. In the past, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot using other, more massive shooting sticks, and I can’t say I noticed any significant difference in stability.
The tips are equipped with rubber heads on a threaded mount. When fully screwed in, spikes emerge from the center, providing more stable support on certain types of terrain.
The Dead Silent Kneeling sticks can also function as a traditional walking stick, aiding in navigating challenging terrain.
Affordable and Practical
For a product from the BOG brand, this model is surprisingly affordable, priced at just 993 CZK. It is reasonable to assume that the manufacturer set a relatively low price to attract new customers who might otherwise hesitate to spend around 10,000 CZK on a tripod. Personally, I am very satisfied with the Dead Silent Kneeling shooting sticks. They are straightforward, lightweight, compact, yet sufficiently sturdy, and they allow configuration adjustments tailored to the user’s needs. In truth, it’s hard to find any negatives. Yes, they don’t allow shooting from a standing position, but for an additional 246 CZK, you can get a similar model that is slightly taller (see the "Alternatives" box). Some more demanding mountain hunters might prefer something more robust, but based on my experience, I don’t see many situations where this product could be damaged under normal use. If you were to tumble down a slope with it, it might bend, but at that point, the shooting sticks wouldn’t be your primary concern. There are also more complex designs on the market, such as the Blaser "cradle" system made of carbon fiber, which supports the rifle stock as well. While it is extremely stable equipment, it weighs three times as much, costs eight times as much as the Dead Silent Kneeling, and cannot be folded into such a compact package. It ultimately depends on what you need and will use it for. Overall, I can wholeheartedly recommend the Dead Silent Kneeling sticks to anyone considering purchasing this type of practical equipment.
The Dead Silent Kneeling shooting sticks, like other BOG products, can be purchased from STROBL.CZ s.r.o. For more information, visit
strobl.cz, or the manufacturer’s website at
boghunt.com
Advantages/ Disadvantages
+ Minimalist design and lightweight
+ High quality
+ Excellent price
+ Versatility
- Does not allow shooting from a standing position (but you can simply purchase a taller version)
Photo Sources: Archive of the author, manufacturer materials – boghunt.com
Author: Tomáš Prachař
Originally published in the magazine Lovec by Extra Publishing
Alternatives
If a height of one meter isn’t enough for you and you want the ability to shoot comfortably while standing, BOG offers a solution in the form of the Dead Silent Shooting Stick. It is essentially the same as the Kneeling model, but the legs consist of more sections, providing the shooter with a maximum height of up to 183 cm. The price is only slightly higher at 1,239 CZK. Personally, I prefer shooting while kneeling or seated on the ground for the sake of greater stability and concealment, as I usually don’t hunt in vegetation so tall that I would need to stand for a clear shot. However, this is individual, and for some hunters, the ability to shoot while standing is crucial.
BOG also offers other shooting supports: the Havoc Shooting Stick Monopod (1,132 CZK), the Havoc Bipod (1,697 CZK), and the slightly more expensive yet more robust Adrenaline Switcheroo series, available in both monopod and bipod versions. In all cases, these are tripod systems with extendable legs secured by rotary locks. At the top above the grip is the Switcheroo system, which allows for quick head replacement. By default, it features a fully rotatable, cushioned U-shaped "yoke."
BOG shooting sticks in the longer Dead Silent Shooting Stick variant.