Big Shot shooting

[treeman82]

I was wondering about something in regards to the Big Shot. Sometimes I have to make shots with it where the only "good" shot that can be made would project the throw bag out towards a house or a car. Situations like that make me kind of nervous because I am afraid of the bag coming down through a window, or hitting a gutter, or making a dent in a car, etc. Do any of you guys get a little nervous in situations like that? What do you do?

 

[rahtreelimbs]

A house can't be moved but a car can. Make every effort to get the auto moved into a safe location. IMO the bigshot is a great device. I don't necessarily look to hit the crotch I want to climb from, but rather get a good crotch in the near area. You can always change your TIP when you get up there. This gives you a few more options of where you are lauching the bigshot from.

Also, If you choose to shoot towards the house, disconnect the bag before you pull the line back up. You have no control once the bag is freefalling.

 

[MasterBlaster]

The first thing I learned about my BS shooting was to STOP the bag ASAP once it flew true. It should be in your control BEFORE it even comes close to the ground. It won't hurt a roof. This same rule pertains to regular throwbag tossing. Don't just throw it and watch... maintain control of the descent.

 

[John Ellison]

I shot once, hit the target then grabbed the line coming out of the bucket to keep it out of the limbs in another tree. About that time the sun got in my eyes and I ducked my head, did'nt think fast enough to release it and whack 14oz in the guts.

John

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

anyone tried a fishermans catapault .with small lead weight ??

 

[Frans]

Get a thick (1"or more) permanent marker and make ruler marks down the side of the big shot pole about and inch apart. Draw them on the side of the pole that you draw the pouch down on. Get so you know just what mark to pull the pouch down to and how far the bag will fly. You can also write in numbers or letters next to the ruler marks.
You can use a thick permanent marker and make your own, or I bet Sherrills will soon sell a sticky label to put on your pole.
This will help to accurately fire the weight to just the distance that you need.
It should help with what you are asking about cause the weight does'nt fly past the crotch and into no man's land.
Also I put a fisherman's swivel on the weight so if the weight/bag gets stuck up in the canopy I can pull it off the bag by a steady pull on the throw line.
Frans

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Frans,

So you use the swivel as a break point? Clever...

When I shoot, my left hand pulls the release. The line runs through the palm of my left hand in case I need to stop the line short.

 

[OutOnaLimb]

Frans, You get my vote for the tree mans Nobel prize this year. Never thought about marking the BS like you would a rifle scope. Good thinkin!! Now if you will excuse me Im off to the back yard with my BS and a Sharpie.

Kenn

 

[murphy4trees]

INstead of marker, I use some medical tape to mark the pole...
That way I can keep my eye on the target, while feeling the draw marks with my hand...
Funny thing is I orderred the quick release a while ago and have yet to use it.... Far superior no doubt...

 

[Frans]

Ken Johnson clued me in to the Swivel for a weak link in the throw line
Frans

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

It really makes my day when the swivel breaks and the bag stays up there.

 

[John Ellison]

What would you use the extra tie/attach point for on the newer Sherrill bags?

John

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

Isn't that for clipping a rope on with a carabiner? That way in the off chance you hit a crotch that you could pull a bag back through, you wouldn't have to know how to tie a knot.

 

[seanlarkin]

Originally posted by John Ellison
What would you use the extra tie/attach point for on the newer Sherrill bags?

Two things. The first way to use the new attachment point is with the mini biner clipped to the rope.

The second purpose of the new attachment point is so you can isolate a crotch, as illustrated here.

 

[2ndgclimber]

I have tried this before but the shot bag wasnt heavy enough to pull the climbing line back down,any suggestions?.I have a 12 oz.bag

 

[murphy4trees]

I use 16 OZ... with the big shot, I Am good for an easy 80'.... That's with the old slicl line... Probably shoot well over 100' with the zing it, which I have... haven't really needed it though cause 80' does most everything I need it to...