Viper-Flex® — Danish design, Danish craftsmanship
Adrenaline, wounding and the path to a steady shot
What do ethical hunting, buck fever, tracking dogs, Viper-Flex® and wounded animals have in common?
Wounding quarry is the absolute dark side of hunting. Every responsible hunter fears a bad shot and does everything possible to avoid it. The goal is always to deliver a safe, clean kill, ensuring the hunt is conducted as ethically as possible.
Training makes a difference, but external factors also play a role. An unexpected gust of wind or a slipping hand can transform a precise shot into a fatal wounding in a split second.
Buck fever: The uncontrolled adrenaline rush
Another major cause of bad shots is the phenomenon known as "buck fever". This acute state of stress is the hunter's equivalent of extreme stage fright or the massive rush you get on a roller coaster. It is your primal instinct going into complete overdrive because you finally see the animal you have been dreaming of shooting.
While hitting a paper target at the rifle range is easy, everything changes in the woods. The larger the trophy or the longer the stalk, the more intense the excitement becomes. This triggers a massive adrenaline rush:
The Shockwave
Your brain views the situation as incredibly important. It instantly floods your body with adrenaline.
The Shaking
Your heart rate skyrockets, and your heart pounds in your chest. Because you have to sit completely still and cannot burn off that sudden burst of energy, your body and teeth start to shake uncontrollably.
Tunnel Vision
Your logical brain completely shuts down. You get tunnel vision and stare blindly at the animal. You forget to breathe calmly and lose control over your fingers and movements.
In short: You want it so badly that your own body trips you up. The brain stops thinking rationally.
When doubt sets in and the dancing crosshairs in the scope cannot be kept still, the last shred of confidence vanishes
Viper-Flex® saves the day
In this high-pressure situation, the hunter has three choices: refrain from shooting, get closer, or find a proper rest.
A prone position normally provides the most stable shooting, but high vegetation or lack of cover often makes this impossible. This increases stress levels even further.
This is where a Viper-Flex® shooting sticks makes a noticeable difference. Its design ensures that the hunter's vibrations are transferred directly down into the legs of the shooting stick in the longitudinal direction, where the legs are stiffest. While a traditional tripod will flex under the pressure of buck fever, the four- or five-legged pillars of a Viper-Flex® manage to dampen the vibrations effectively.
When things go wrong: The tracking dog registry
Even with the right gear, things can go wrong. In Denmark, if game is confirmed wounded, it is a mandatory legal requirement to call a trained tracking dog (known as a Schweisshund) within six hours. (In the UK, the UKDTR will help.)
Legal requirement in Denmark — what to do
Denmark has a voluntary corps of dedicated dog owners who deploy to track the wounded game and conclude the hunt ethically. If you are unsure about shot placement, you must follow these basic steps:
- Mark your own position where you stood when firing the shot.
- Mark the animal's position at the moment of impact (the strike site).
- Stay away from the area to avoid trampling and destroying the scent trail.
The waiting time can be psychologically tough for the hunter. Fortunately, statistics show that most bucks are either dead nearby or hit hard enough for the dog to find them quickly.
A Viper-Flex® shooting stick is no absolute guarantee against wounding shots. However, feedback from professional hunters confirms that stable support significantly reduces the risk of bad shots and greatly increases the chances of success.
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
Professional hunters worldwide
What the experts say
We have seen the success rate increase with 70% and the reduction of wounded animals with 50-60%, since we started using the Viper-Flex shooting sticks.
John Fenton
Professional Outfitter — Wicklow Mountains, Ireland
Just amazing shooting sticks to use out in the field. We use the Viper-Flex daily on safaris here in South Africa. I personally have seen reductions of wounding shots by up to 60% since we started using the Viper-Flex. Thoroughly tested and approved in the bush and mountains of South Africa.
Bjørn Georg Jensen
Professional Hunter — Side by Side Safaris, South Africa
During my 40 year career as a professional hunter, I can honestly say that this product has revolutionized both my personal hunting experience and that of our clients. I have travelled with my Viper-Flex sticks to Abu Dhabi, Burkina Faso, Ukraine, Namibia, Siberia, USA, Mongolia, Australia and New Zealand.
Dempsey Bayly
Dangerous Game Professional Hunter — South Africa
In Africa sometimes your first shot is the only chance you get to make it count. Viper-Flex sticks are truly game changing, and we have seen a substantial increase in first shot success from our clients. Do yourself a favor and order a pair!
Holger Krogsgaard Jensen
Professional Hunter — Jensen Safaris, South Africa
In the first season of integrating the Viper-Flex shooting sticks within my hunting kit, I have cut down on 80% less wounded animals. Once you have tried and used the Viper-Flex system, all other shooting sticks become obsolete.
Marius Burger
Professional Hunter — Mopani Hunting Safaris, Namibia
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