Hunter class prone position

[SqrlHntr]

Not looking to debate the prone position, just looking to make sure if I do use it Im within the rules. From what I can surmise is use of a bipod cannot be resting on a shooting pad, must be touching the ground and the rifle cannot touch the ground while shooting. Anything else im missing? Just trying stay within the rules. Thanks in advance.

 

[Podna]

SqrlHntr:

This is directly out of the AAFTA handbook:

"B. Other than using aids permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules (slings, bipods, etc.), the gun must be supported solely by the shooter's hands and body. The gun may not contact the ground. Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground. The body may not lean on or be supported by any features other than the ground or the shooting seat."

What this means to the shooter in the prone position is that you can not use a rear "squeeze bag" to adjust elevation. Your hands must be free of the ground and not touching anything that is in contact with the ground.

Art "Podna" Womack
Team Wolfpack

 

[SqrlHntr]

Thanks Art!

 

[ScottEnglish]

Can your feet touch the ground while shooting offhand?

 

[Centercut]

SqrlHntr:

This is directly out of the AAFTA handbook:

"B. Other than using aids permitted by specific AAFTA Division Rules (slings, bipods, etc.), the gun must be supported solely by the shooter's hands and body. The gun may not contact the ground. Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground. The body may not lean on or be supported by any features other than the ground or the shooting seat."

What this means to the shooter in the prone position is that you can not use a rear "squeeze bag" to adjust elevation. Your hands must be free of the ground and not touching anything that is in contact with the ground.

Art "Podna" Womack
Team Wolfpack

Seems like a short stubby bipod can be used, as long as it doesn't attach to the gun. The confusing part of this is the "part of the body" directly supporting the gun. So although you can't have the butt in your hand which is in contact with the ground, how about if your hand is touching the ground and the gun butt is resting on your forearm? I went through this a while ago and decided it was just easier to learn to shoot from bucket and sticks than play the rules interpretation game- right, wrong, or indifferent.
AAFTA essentially eliminated prone when they stopped allowing bipods to be attached to the gun. From what I can gather from older FT shooters, that were around at the time, it was done because prone shooters were winning too much, and old fat guys couldn't get into the prone position...

 

[Podna]

Centercut- you are 100%, 24 carrot, dead solid correct. I started shooting FT just before the rule change concerning attached bipods and your comment about old fat guys is spot on.

There was also a rule that has now been removed that the target must be visible and unobstructed regardless of position.

Of course, now I’m an old fat guy!

 

[doninva]

Most targets now are set so you can't shoot prone. I went to bucket and sticks due to that.

 

[SqrlHntr]

Great info and history on the athleticism of airgunning. I only ask because there are some lanes and conditions where prone would be a consideration. Not all the time, just another option to have.

BTW, The AI behind this new site is pretty dang good, just read an older post about the same topic it had suggested, and by Centercut at that.

 

[ScottEnglish]

Too many rules, too many busy bodies. FT should be about improving your hunting skills, hanging out with friends and having fun. Go to a FT match and you will see mostly elderly men, kits approaching $8K or more and few young sons and daughters brought along to learn the sport. If american FT doesn't begin to recruit young people it will die off with age.

 

[SteveV]

Hello Scott -

I am curious: at what age does one become elderly?

 

[ScottEnglish]

Hello Scott -

I am curious: at what age does one become elderly?

When you can't get up from the prone position.

 

[Franklink]

SqrlHntr:

This is directly out of the AAFTA handbook:

"B........ Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground.......

Art "Podna" Womack
Team Wolfpack

Some seriously questionable positions being used if this rule starts to be enforced.

How bout the leg, from the knee down, laying on the ground with the rifle resting on that knee? At least with the typical calf at vertical (versus horizontally laying on the ground) there's a joint or two between the gun and the ground and the "part of the body directly supporting the gun" isn't resting on the ground.

 

[SteveV]

When you can't get up from the prone position.

Maybe one day you will be fortunate enough to have trouble getting up from the prone position.

 

[SqrlHntr]

Some seriously questionable positions being used if this rule starts to be enforced.

How bout the leg, from the knee down, laying on the ground with the rifle resting on that knee? At least with the typical calf at vertical (versus horizontally laying on the ground) there's a joint or two between the gun and the ground and the "part of the body directly supporting the gun" isn't resting on the ground.

 

[Camber314]

View attachment 268738

Now those look like stable positions, but I would be somewhat less than enthusiastic about using a position that puts an exploding projectile that close to my valuable bits.

Just sayin’.

 

[Centercut]

Interesting positions... Neither of which fit the rules of HFT, since the stock is resting on his shoulder which is directly touching the ground.
I think we need a definition of what "B........ Any part of the body directly supporting the gun may not rest on the ground......." really means. If "they" really enforced this, some positions currently allowed would be questionable as @Franklink mentions above.
I just decided to learn bucket and sticks vice speaking truth to power... Its not as solid as prone, but pretty close.

 

[SqrlHntr]

Those pics were for a chuckle. I was thinking of an olympian style prone, where the elbow is touchint the ground, the hand is supporting the rifle, the chest is lifted off the ground and the rules allow a two point sling. Any reason it would not be allowed?

 

[kingsqueak]

I had the same question. Reading the rules it seems like you can do prone but your elbows can't be on the ground because your arm is supporting the gun? Not sure how it would work otherwise. The other section talking about standing makes it seem you can't have your elbow braced on your body either, also weird to me.

 

[Centercut]

Those pics were for a chuckle. I was thinking of an olympian style prone, where the elbow is touchint the ground, the hand is supporting the rifle, the chest is lifted off the ground and the rules allow a two point sling. Any reason it would not be allowed?

View attachment 268857

Looks like the Olympian Style Prone would be allowed. No part of the body that touches the gun is touching the ground. So you'd be good to go IMHO.

 

[Podna]

I forget who said it earlier in this thread but I'm agreeing with them; there are far too many chiggers, ticks, fire ants, etc. for me to lay my old self down on the ground.

Since the fixed bipod went away I really don't see any advantage to the prone position. Just sayin.

Podna