Approach Your Next Hunt Like A Sniper

Although the mystic of the military sniper grew in esteem during the Viet Nam war with the likes of Marine sniper Carlos Hathcock II, referred to as White Feather by the enemy, sniper tactics have been a part of military tactics and hunting heritage since the dawn of man. Not a true ambush, but a pre-set location to take advantage of the situational patterns of a target. You can approach your next hunt in the same way. 

For your next hunt, consider going beyond the traditions of stump sitting and evolve it into a defined sniper strategy. By refining the basics into a honed trap, your lie-in-wait overwatch offers you every advantage for the best shot possible.  

Try a sniper’s approach 

Over the course of my hunting career, I advanced my overall hunting style to a mishmash of several tactics to one that today almost always includes some form of sniper setup. One example that occurred nearly three decades prior involved the sighting of a super wide mule deer buck that ducked behind a prairie hill while pursuing a doe in estrus. I stalked closer but could not see the deer. After contemplating jumping the buck for a snapshot or simply waiting it out, I picked the latter. Success seemed higher and put me in control of the situation; not the muley buck in a probable full-out running escape after I jumped it. I wanted to be in control of the situation and sniper-style shooting puts you in the driver’s seat. By that I mean whenever you set up and wait in ambush it’s likely that any big game animal that shows up is unaware of your presence. That’s not the case if you push a situation, execute deer drives or even still-hunt with a surprise meeting. 

The wide buck played out in that exact manner. I crawled to the top of the hill but could not see the deer below due to the steepness. Regardless, I set up for a sniper wait. After 15 minutes or so, a young buck raced out, obviously being chased by the larger buck and seconds later the big buck appeared. He paused broadside at 250 yards to make my day. Even today he is still my widest mule deer buck at a solid 27-inches inside spread.  

How acting like a sniper creates an advantage

The most advantageous reason to hunt in a sniper manner is that animals unaware of your presence go about their business in a relaxed manner. That provides you ample time to range, dial in your scope, control your breathing and depress the trigger. It’s a happy ending to your hunting story instead of a sad tale about the one that got away.  

Do you need another reason to go into sniper mode? When you engage in the preferred prone position of sniper-style shooting you are in the most solid position possible. Study any military shooting manual or even shooting instruction from your local 4-H Shooting Sports program. The prone position, when teamed with an accurate rifle, is the most solid base to shoot from with the human body as your cornerstone. Sitting, standing and kneeling are fine, but none can match the stability of the prone, sniper-like position.  

This grounded position gives you the best possible launch platform for your bullet, the steadiest sight picture for you and a combination that increases your chance of success, near or far. Outfit your rifle with a bipod and the benchrest qualities just get better. Even nestling your rifle in a backpack forms a sure foundation. Try it next time you are at the range and then consider it the next time you are in the field.  

When you utilize sniper mentality you may also be able to shoot farther. You may not be able to pull off a 2,000-yard shot, but you could begin swinging metal at your local range at distances beyond 400 yards. Hitting vital-sized targets to 600 yards and beyond isn’t a dream any longer with the right gear, and a solid prone position. Granted, you need to test yourself and your rifle rig to set your shooting distance limitations, but it’s almost guaranteed you can add a few hundred yards of excellence with a sniper approach. With practice, 300-yard shots become routine boosting your confidence when you need to reach out and touch something.  

Calibers like the flat-shooting 6.5 PRC, tried and true .308 Winchester and the newer, versatile 7mm PRC give you the edge when contemplating those longer shots. Of course you can add in the caliber of choice, but rest assured there are sufficient caliber options worthy of consideration for a long-range hunting rifle. Ammunition companies offer high-end ammunition so reloading isn’t even required for sharpshooter groups,   

Gear that gets the job done – better!

Top your rifle with an optic with one of the new reticles designed for long range and you have more technology to pull off a shot only thought possible by professional shooters a decade, or two back. Simplified trajectory technology like Sig Sauer’s BDX system, which the author chose, teams precise caliber information with a lighted reticle that zeros based on readings from various BDX devices, rangefinders and rangefinder binoculars. Add in a wind meter and you can even establish drift for shots in breezy conditions with reticle assistance. Nearly every major manufacturer of riflescopes offers reticles with advanced trajectory options.  

Without debate, a suppressor also aids in the sniper long shot. In addition to self-help with flinching control during range practice, the reduced felt recoil allows you to stay on target after the shot to evaluate the hit. That is critically important to your overall hunt and how to proceed after the shot. Being able to see the reaction of an animal and its escape route without being lost in the jolt of recoil helps you launch a proper recovery plan for your game. If you do not know where your hit landed and start a recovery operation too soon, it could result in bumping a wounded animal to never find it again.  

Reduced recoil from the help of a suppressor also aids in faster follow-up shots if required. You may miss, your hit may be a bit off, or you simply may be hunting ultra-tough animals like mature elk. Regardless of the reason, a follow-up shot or three could be what the doctor ordered. With less recoil, speedier target reacquisition occurs, and your follow-up shots have a better chance of an accurate hit. Animals shot at with a suppressor also question the suppressed noise, possibly causing them to stand still and evaluate just what occurred. Even when hit, the softened report of a rifle delays their escape at times giving you seconds to launch another round for insurance.  

When hunting with a partner, a suppressor, like a BANISH Silencer, also aids in communicating just before the shot. Having a spotter beside you talking you through the shot, sharing distance information and wind conditions, is a Godsend in sniper-style hunting. Use a suppressor and communicate freely for the best in shooting information.  

Winning strategies will help fill your tag

Finally, a sniper approach provides observation capabilities. This means you can study animal behavior, compare it to the terrain and hatch a new strategy if your original plan falls apart. Even if you don’t get a shot because the animal is obstructed or just too far away, your elevated sniper hide allows you to scan all options and most importantly, not lose sight of the intended target.  

Every sniper setup doesn’t result in a slam-dunk encounter. Oftentimes your efforts will include moving several times and even then, your quarry may give you the slip along a willow-choked canyon, or in a dense aspen stand. Nevertheless, a high vantage point provides a possible shooting platform and a guaranteed observation location to keep the hunt moving forward in your favor.  

During each setup or move, remember to re-range all possible shooting scenarios. Having a notebook handy or making notes on your hunting app helps in maintaining command of your shooting position. I routinely confirm distances and make notes on my app with an aerial overview to support my actual view.  

Every hunt demands a thorough overview of what strategy brings you to a winning conclusion. When the terrain, conditions and animal behavior allow, think sniper. It offers a winning combination of advantages for success.