Field Tested: Primos Trigger Stick Apex Carbon Fiber Tripod

Today's crossbows are faster, flatter-shooting and more accurate than ever, allowing hunters to attempt shots at longer distances with the proper practice and preparation.

Doing so, however, requires an exceptional shooting rest or shooting sticks that provide the necessary stability and support to attempt safe, ethical shots at their quarry. To this end, there may be no better option than a tripod.

One prime example of a high-quality, lightweight tripod is Primos Hunting’s new Trigger Stick Apex Carbon Fiber Tripod. Weighing in at 7 pounds, the Trigger Stick Apex is light enough you can easily carry it to your ground blind, or even secure it to your pack for a hike away from the roads. The secret behind the tripod’s lightweight design is the trio of carbon-fiber wrapped aluminum legs that provide strength and durability — the tripod is capable of handling up to 50 pounds — while also shedding much of the poundage associated with some other tripods.

The real benefit of the Trigger Stick Apex, however, is its extreme adjustability, coupled with its Trigger Stick that allows for quick and easy, one-handed adjustment when setting up, even on rough and uneven terrain. The legs have three sections that can be adjusted, allowing them to extend from 32 inches when fully collapsed to 62 inches fully extended. The Trigger Stick handle in the center of the tripod allows you to quickly set up or tweak the legs with the simple squeeze of the trigger. There’s no need to manually unlock the sections on each leg to get set up properly, and the seconds you save could mean the difference between getting a shot or watching your target animal walk away. The wide range of adjustment also means you can get the right height and setup whether you’re sitting in a blind, standing or even kneeling for a shot.

Each leg also has a locking switch that allows you to secure the legs at different angles, providing even more flexibility. You can literally tap lightly on one of the legs to make a quick adjustment or tweak — 4-5 seconds is really all it takes.

As for the Apex Clamp atop the tripod, it offers a vice-like grip to securely hold your crossbow — or, of course, a firearm if you also gun hunt — in place. If you want to remove the clamp, you simply loosen and unscrew it from the tripod. Plus, the Trigger Stick Apex allows you to add an adapter to hold a spotting scope, binoculars or even a camera for those who enjoy photography. Other highlights of the Trigger Stick Apex include a built-in level to ensure the tripod is well balanced and a carrying case for toting and storing the tripod.

It’s worth noting that for 2023, the Trigger Stick Apex is also available with Spartan Precision’s Davros head. This magnetic, quick-detach system features a friction-adjustable ball joint that permits smooth, 360-degree range of motion, allowing for even greater crossbow movement and quicker adjustment for almost any shot angle.

Last fall, I twice found myself forgoing hunting from my treestand to venture out and explore new areas of the farm that I hunt. After finding an ideal spot for a ground ambush on the edge of a small field, I settled in and immediately wished I had a rest like the Trigger Stick Apex tripod since the shooting sticks I had were too rickety to competently handle a 10-pound crossbow. The Trigger Stick Apex’s extreme adjustability and flexibility, coupled with its swiveling Apex Clamp, are perfect for providing a rock-solid foundation and offering the ability to quickly and easily move with an animal if it takes a step or two. There’s no doubt this tripod would have been perfect for covering the area I was watching, especially since deer were coming from three directions, making it hard to move the crossbow around without being detected by their keen eyesight.

From providing a solid rest while sighting in your crossbow in the backyard or on the range, to giving you the confidence to make good on your shot at a deer, elk or turkey in the field, the Primos Trigger Stick Apex Carbon Fiber Tripod is one piece of equipment that would benefit every crossbow hunter. — Associate Editor Mark Demko

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