When it comes to functionality, I believe the Reaper Grip performs better with a crossbow or bolt-action rifles. The Kopfjäger Tripod and Reaper Grip combo is one of the best and more stable setups that I have used. There was not a time that I can recall where I felt that the grip did not perform. The Reaper Grip performed flawlessly and kept the crossbow gripped tight in all scenarios we put it through. We came back empty handed, but not due to lack of opportunity. Remember – we were using a carbon fiber tripod instead of aluminum or any other material. We packed everything in a few miles the first day, and there was no notable strain due to the weight of the grip and tripod combination. However, I was willing to bear the weight due to the reliability of the products. The Kopfjäger Tripod and Reaper Grip are not the lightest on the market. Any spot and stalk hunter knows, after hiking miles each day for scouting and hunting, any excess weight can cause unwanted fatigue. I wanted to see how the weight of the tripod and grip would affect the hunt. The hunt on the refuge was spot and stalk only, meaning that there were no vehicles allowed on the grounds. To test the Kopfjäger tripod and Reaper Grip, and see what its limits may be, I took it with me. This hunt is a “Drawn Permit” hunt that occurs each year for the opportunity to harvest Whitetail Deer, Nilgai Antelope and wild hogs. I recently returned from the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge in South Texas for an Archery Only hunt. Keeping the crossbow steady and on target while shooting is now much easier than ever with my Reaper Grip. Hunting during Archery-Only Season with a crossbow opened many possibilities that I may not have had with a compound. Just like hunting with a compound, shooting crossbows requires practice in order to achieve consistency and precision. I picked up a crossbow a few times, instead of my compound, to give it a shot.Ĭrossbow hunting has been taking the hunting community by storm since a law passed in 2009 permitting hunters to use them in Texas. This year, I decided to try out a new type of hunting. I have been shooting compound bows for almost 14 years now. Personal Experienceįor many years, I have been an avid bowhunter. The user can mount anything from video cameras to additional infrared lights. There is a flat mounting point on the left side of the Reaper Grip which allows for mounting optional accessories. The Reaper Grip has a threaded lever that protrudes from the rear of the ball pivot point to allow for the grip to be adjusted and pointed at your target. However, you can purchase more of the rubber grip sleeves individually, allowing smaller firearms to still be secured. I only found one firearm that was too small for the grip to hold securely, and that was a Marlin 22. It opens wide enough for almost every firearm.
Once mounted, the Reaper Grip is loosened and tightened by a three-prong head on the right side of the grip. The Reaper Grip mounts to almost every tripod with a base thread. The fingers are covered by a rubberized sleeve that prevents scratching or damage to your weapons. It grips weapons by 6 total fingers that rise from the base and tighten down on the firearm and/or crossbow. I’ve used several monopods through the years with crossbows and my favorite is the Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Crossbow Tall Monopod (MSRP: $85.99 below).The Reaper Grip is an easy-to-use mount that can grip almost any weapon. That said, using one is far better than shooting freehand. Monopods are the least stable shooting rest because there’s only one point of contact with the ground. Primos Trigger Stick Gen3 Crossbow Tall Monopod
Consider adding them to your inventory and then explain to your crossbow customers the need to aim and fire a horizontal bow with aid of a shooting rest. The three shooting rests discussed below will work well with most crossbows. In other words, the yoke could interfere with crossbow string travel, with is very dangerous. While the same shooting rest they use for their firearm might work with a crossbow, there’s a decent chance it won’t because of the yoke’s length or shape.
Gun deer hunters are quite familiar with using shooting rests, so they will certainly be receptive to the idea of using a shooting support when aiming and firing a crossbow. Crossbow sales continue to increase as more firearm deer hunters look to extend their opportunities in the field.