Bush Hawk ,Can It Help?

I have a neck and shoulder injury that makes it painful for me to raise my hands and arms above my shoulders. I have been thinking about getting a Bush Hawk gunstock mount:http://www.bushhawk.co​m/ because it looks like I wouldn't have to raise my arms as high for shooting birds in flight. Does anyone here use one? If so do you think it would help me with my problem ? I have been asking friends to ask friends to ask friends and can't find anyone locally that uses one. I would really like to try one before putting out the money and buying one and then finding out it won't help me. I've seen a couple in the "for sale" section here and it looks like they don't sell very well. Money is kinda tight lately in Michigan and I have had my work hours cut, so I can't afford to buy and take the chance on having it sit in the closet if it doesn't work for me. So if any one here is using one one do you think it would help me? Do you think it would provide a more comfortable way for me to shoot birds in flight? I was a trap,skeet and sporting clays shooter for many years so the feel of a gunstock would not be a new thing for me. I had to give up the clays shooting because of my injury. I would be using the rig with a Canon 100-400 or 400 5.6 and a gripped 50D but plan on a getting a 7D soon.

ooops! I meant to post this in the sub forum "Discuss Bird Photography" If a mod would like to move this there,Please do so. Sorry!

I wish I could help but can't. The Bushawk mount looks a bit uncomfortable to me.

I've been using one for several years and find it very helpful. Often there's no time to set up a tripod and get the shot before the critter takes off. I use it mostly from my vehicle-----it's much quicker than using a pad on the window. Also I find getting out of the vehicle prompts the exit of the subject.
I think it's a great piece of gear.

First, I don't have one, but I did look into it a while back...

I am assuming that you are most concerned with the way it makes your injury feel, first and foremost.
If you can lift up a shotgun to your shoulder, and it feels good enough that you could do that with the Bush Hawk, then that part 'ought to be' fine, I say, "ought to be" 'cause like I said, I haven't used one.
As far as how well it's made, from what I have seen it's made very well.
The main thing I keep hearing over and over is that a lot of people feel a little uneasy carrying something around that looks like a rifle, and 'especially' if you wear any kind of camo.
(All depending on your area where you shoot, if you're deep in the woods, it won't matter much anyway, I think)
Personally, that is the only reason I opted out of getting one back when I was looking, 'cause a lot of the places I go to have some people, and I get strange looks anyway.

With money being tight, maybe look into making one, that aren't that hard to make something that is similar to it.
With a small investment, (PVC maybe) you can make something that is close enough that you'd know without a doubt if it'd work or not.
I did a quick search on Google Images and found this, using these words...

DIY+camera shoulder mount (Google Image)
DIY+camera shoulder mount(Google)
DIY camera rest...(Be sure to look at the side panel for more ideas)

If you can make something out of wood, or possibly you have an old gun stock, or whatever, that would even make it more to your liking maybe.
I can guarantee you that whoever made the first Bush Hawk made a cheap-o version first, they all have to start somewhere... heheh

Anyway, hopefully this'll help you out some, or give you an idea or two.

Randy

JimLittle wrote in post #11697054
I've been using one for several years and find it very helpful. Often there's no time to set up a tripod and get the shot before the critter takes off. I use it mostly from my vehicle-----it's much quicker than using a pad on the window. Also I find getting out of the vehicle prompts the exit of the subject.
I think it's a great piece of gear.

Thanks Jim! Do you think it is a comfortable way of shooting? Less strain on you arms and shoulders? And to me it looks like it can keep your arms below shoulder height.

recrisp wrote in post #11697120
First, I don't have one, but I did look into it a while back...

I am assuming that you are most concerned with the way it makes your injury feel, first and foremost.
If you can lift up a shotgun to your shoulder, and it feels good enough that you could do that with the Bush Hawk, then that part 'ought to be' fine, I say, "ought to be" 'cause like I said, I haven't used one.
As far as how well it's made, from what I have seen it's made very well.
The main thing I keep hearing over and over is that a lot of people feel a little uneasy carrying something around that looks like a rifle, and 'especially' if you wear any kind of camo.
(All depending on your area where you shoot, if you're deep in the woods, it won't matter much anyway, I think)
Personally, that is the only reason I opted out of getting one back when I was looking, 'cause a lot of the places I go to have some people, and I get strange looks anyway.

With money being tight, maybe look into making one, that aren't that hard to make something that is similar to it.
With a small investment, (PVC maybe) you can make something that is close enough that you'd know without a doubt if it'd work or not.
I did a quick search on Google Images and found this, using these words...

DIY+camera shoulder mount (Google Image)
DIY+camera shoulder mount(Google)
DIY camera rest...(Be sure to look at the side panel for more ideas)

If you can make something out of wood, or possibly you have an old gun stock, or whatever, that would even make it more to your liking maybe.
I can guarantee you that whoever made the first Bush Hawk made a cheap-o version first, they all have to start somewhere... heheh

Anyway, hopefully this'll help you out some, or give you an idea or two.

Randy

Thanks Randy! I'll look into some of the DIY ideas.

claybuster wrote in post #11697121
Thanks Jim! Do you think it is a comfortable way of shooting? Less strain on you arms and shoulders? And to me it looks like it can keep your arms below shoulder height.

I use it with my 500mm (with the 1.4x attached) and even with that weight it works although it's pushing my limit to hold it up very long. Much easier with the 100-400 or the 300 2.8-------

It's really good for vehicle use, especially, I think----also, when on my passenger seat having it attached makes the camera/lens much more secure and stable as it gives a lateral outrigger effect if placed on the seat to keep the camera from rotating in transit.

I had one and with my 100-400 it worked great ,with my 500 I found it unbalanced and lots of energy wasted on trying to keep it balanced . But like I said with a 400 5.6 or a 100-400 its wonderful.