BOG's non-marring jaw insert pairs with the DeathGrip Clamping Head to ensure rifle protection and create a dead-steady shooting platform. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman)
December 05, 2024
By Jace Bauserman
There have been times when I received gear to field test, sat down in front of my computer post-test, and had very little good to write. Nobody wants their baby called ugly, but when it comes to gear, no hunter wants faulty equipment. The good news for you and me is that I never have to worry about finding fantastic things to say about BOG products . Their positive brand reputation precedes them, and you'll be hard-pressed to find anything negative about this manufacturer's impressive product lineup.
If I have a rifle tag in my pocket, regardless of the species, I have some type of BOG shooting stabilization device with me. Moments of truth are hard-earned and too few and far between to leave bullet placement to chance. My oldest son and bride of 20 years took their first-ever bull elk this fall. My son made a perfect shot from 278 yards from a seated position with his .300 Win. Mag. resting still in the clutch of BOG's DeathGrip Infinite - Carbon Fiber while I watched impact through a spotting scope using the same model tripod. I call that winning!
My wife, using an open-sight muzzleloader, burned up the lungs of a 300-plus inch bull elk from 127 yards using BOG's Adrenaline Bipod. The bottom line: I make BOG products a part of every hunt I partake in because they work.
Over the past few weeks, I was fortunate to spend time behind several BOG products—some I was ultra-familiar with, and others were new to me. Spoiler alert: All have a place in my hunting arsenal, and I highly recommend adding the to-come BOG products to yours.
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BOG DeathGrip Elevation BOG's DeathGrip Elevation mounts to the tree's trunk and allows whitetail goers to have an ultra-steady rest when in the treestand. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) It's whitetail season, so the first product I tested was BOG's DeathGrip Elevation . For many hunters, whitetail hunting is a sit-and-wait game. Whether using a rifle, muzzleloader, or crossbow, this device allows limitless shooting adjustment and dead-steady shooting from a treestand.
What I Love
Attachment to the tree using DeathGrip Elevation's base mount is simple: put the base against the tree, use the included ratchet strap, and secure it. With that noted, the first few times you mount the base, it’s a tad tedious, but the more you do it, the easier it gets. I love simplicity and no-fail function. Once the base is mounted, slide the post of the arm into the hole in the base, and use the front-facing knob to lock the arm in place. The side-mounted knob allows the base to pivot up and down.
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The DeathGrip Elevation arm offers infinite adjustment. Turn-style knobs allow the arm to open and close to that just-right shooting position. When that position is achieved, use the knobs to lock the arm in place. The proprietary dual jaw closure with non-marring rubber inserts, over-the-weapon strap, and large, triangular knob secure your weapon. The circular adjustment knob lets the ball head pivot up and down.
The unit is extremely quiet. It doesn't creak or pop, and all adjustments are ultra-smooth.
Who Needs It?
If you're a sit-and-wait treestand hunter, this shooting stabilization device is worth its salt.
BOG DeathGrip Sherpa Lightweight, durable, and infinitely adjustable, BOG's Sherpa was made for those willing to roam to find consistent success. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) The BOG DeathGrip Sherpa is made for the backcountry enthusiast willing to roam far and wide in search of big-game nirvana, this 4.1-pound tripod offers durability and adjustability. The quick-change Arca-Swiss mount system lets you swap between your rifle and spotting scope. The three-position (20, 45, and 85 degrees) leg angle locks with push-button adjustability and removable center post with Twist Lock Adjust provide a maximum height of 55 3/4 inches and a minimum height of 24-1/4 inches.
The low-profile ball head is smoother than silk, allowing for 360-degree rotation and 180-degree tilt for maximum shooting adjustment. Each leg adjusts individually when shooting or glassing on uneven terrain, and the rubber feet with removable steel spikes grab the ground, creating an ultra-stable platform. The DeathGrip UltraLite Clamping Head secures your firearm, and the non-marring jaw inserts add stability and security. The carbon-fiber legs and removable center post give the tripod a perfect strength-to-weight ratio, and the rubber grip on one leg provides a secure grip no matter the weather conditions.
What I Love
This tripod folds up quickly, and the included leg retention strap keeps the legs together, preventing any banging or clanging while in transport. I can take this tripod and strap it to the outside of my pack, and I never know it's there until I need it. I attach the Optics Mounting Plate to my spotting scope, allowing me to make a weapon-for-optic (or vice versa) swap in seconds. All adjustments are smooth. The head never sticks, and the legs never go in or out unsmoothly. The low-profile knobs don't hang up on the brush when in transport, and their functionality is second to none.
Who Needs It?
If you're a backcountry hunter who wants a durable, lightweight, and highly adjustable shooting stabilization device that also doubles as an optic tripod, you can't go without it.
BOG DeathGrip Bantam Whether on your back or in your hand, BOG's DeathGrip models are built to travel with the hunter and ensure you always have a steady rest when the moment of truth arrives. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) While the DeathGrip Bantam doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the DeathGrip Sherpa, it holds its own and hits a price point that BOG claims is up to 50 percent less than the competition. My research agrees.
With a fighting weight of a tick over three pounds, the DeathGrip Bantam allows shooting height adjustment between 20 and 42 inches, and though it doesn't sport the larger twist-turn leg-adjustment knobs, removable steel spikes, or ball-bearing head, this little beauty holds its own.
A hard-coat anodized finish on the durable aluminum legs reduces game-spooking shine. You still get the leg retention strap, and the non-marring rubber inserts in the dual-action center alignment head are money. The high-density foam grip is warm to the touch, 360-degree pan control allows for rotation, and 120 degrees of tilt adjustment accommodates most shot angles.
What I Love
BOG integrated some of the best features of its award-winning DeathGrip Infinite into a lightweight, durable model at an excellent price point. This shooting stabilization device provides smooth adjustments, and the 0 to 45-degree leg angle adjustment is ideal for sitting and kneeling shots. Though the rubber feet don't come with insertable steel spikes, the wide rubber feet provide a solid base and easily grab the ground.
Who Needs It?
If you prioritize weight savings and keeping the budget in check but still want a durable, solid shooting stabilization device you can take anywhere in the world, no matter the terrain or the animal, the DeathGrip Bantam is worth its salt.
DeathGrip & Camo DeathGrip 3-Position leg angle locks (20, 45, 85 degrees) on BOG's DeathGrip and Camo DeathGrip models mean you can prepare for any shot in any terrain. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) Legends never die, and this is the case with BOG's DeathGrip . A price-point aluminum tripod with cam lock levers that allow exact, secure height adjustment, this budget-friendly tripod sports tilt levers that enable 25 degrees of cant forwards and backward. The head pan rotates 360 degrees with tension adjustment, and shooting height is adjustable between 7 and 59 inches, which is ultra-impressive in an under $200 tripod.
In 2021, BOG launched the Camo DeathGrip, which mirrors its specs. Hey, camo is cool, and if you want it, BOG offers it.
What I Love
This dynamic duo is meat and potatoes. No bells. No whistles. Nothing that isn't purposeful. Just a straightforward 8.5-pound shooting stabilization device you can rely on to get dead steady and put your bullet where you want it.
Who Needs It?
I think the question should be: Who doesn't?
BOG DeathGrip Infinite - Aluminum and Carbon Fiber BOG's DeathGrip Tripods' fold-up design allows you to lash them to the outside of your backpack for easy transport in the backcountry. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) Pick your poison. Both are top-of-the-heap shooting stabilization and optic-ready tripods that WILL make every hunt you partake in more successful . During my hunting tenure, I've harvested 23 big-game animals from across the globe using these two tripods. They are BOG flagships, infinitely adjustable, quiet, bulletproof, and give me the confidence to win in the woods.
Isn't There More? Regardless of the DeathGrip model, leg adjustment allows you to shoot from several different positions. (Photo courtesy of Jace Bauserman) This next generation of BOG DeathGrip tripods is a culmination of years of testing, listening to end users, and developing a Batman and Robin duo that gives you every feature you could possibly want in a tripod. That's what I want to leave you with. If I had to pick one tripod to use for the rest of my days, from the open CRP fields of Kansas to the towering Rockies, it would be a BOG DeathGrip Infinite model. If weight savings are essential, I recommend carbon fiber. The aluminum works wonderfully if you're a sit-and-wait enthusiast or a hunter who doesn't make long treks.
Final Thoughts You can't go wrong with BOG. Their products are built for the hunt, from their shooting stabilization devices to their fine line of backpacks to their chairs and blinds. I trust them, and I promise you can, too.
