MDT Field Report - WHY THE TRIPLE PULL CKYE-POD IS A GUIDES BEST FRIEND

I just wrapped up four days of Pronghorn Antelope hunting and guiding in the Central Highlands of New Mexico, and one tool that I found invaluable was my MDT GEN 2 Triple Pull Ckye-Pod. During my time on the range, my clients used the CKYE-Pod for its intended purpose as a bipod, but it was also used as a mount for my spotting scope, rear support for clients shooting off tripods, and even as a prod for dealing with an aggressive rattlesnake. Before we discuss what makes this product the best-in-class, let's look at the history and development of the MDT CKYE-POD.

More: TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ANTELOPE HUNT

HISTORY OF THE MDT CKYE-POD

The CKYE-Pod was created by Ckye Thomas, owner of OBI. Ckye is a nationally-ranked shooter, inventor, and entrepreneur. The CKYE-POD was designed to be the most versatile bipod available and is now in its second generation.

Currently, there are seven variants of the MDT CKYE-POD available with several different mounting options, including BTC (Picatinny/ARCA), ARCA, Picatinny, or ARMS 17 mount.

• MDT CKYE-POD Lightweight Double Pull
• MDT CKYE-POD Lightweight Single Pull Standard
• MDT CKYE POD - Heavy Duty
• MDT CKYE-POD Gen2 Triple Pull
• MDT CKYE-POD Gen2 Double Pull
• MDT CKYE-POD Gen2 Single Pull Standard
• MDT CKYE-POD Gen2 Single Pull Short/PRS

With so many options, which CKYE-POD is best for you?

A GUIDES BEST FRIEND

The MDT CKYE-POD bipod is durable and highly adaptable. For competition and general shooting, I like the Single or Double Pull models, but for guiding Gen 2 Triple Pull with an ARCA interface gives me a lot of flexibility and allows me to quickly adapt to terrain or utilize gear with an ARCA interface like spotting scopes and HOG mounts. Let's dig deeper into what makes this piece of kit unique and why I will not go in the field without it.

My normal loadout as a guide. CKYE-POD, tripod, binoculars, spotting scope, binocular harness.

GREAT FOR FIELD POSITIONS

CKYE-PODs, in general, give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to cant and the ability to pivot. The CKYE POD can rotate 360 degrees and features 170 degrees of cant. The pivot feature can be locked for extra stability, and the cant feature has a knob that can adjust tension. The height of the bipod can go from its lowest positional setting to its highest with the quick push of a button, and the model that I prefer to take in the field, the Triple Pull, can go from 4.5 inches to 36 inches in seconds. This allows a shooter to build a very stable position very quickly.

Client did not have an ARCA rail on his rifle. No worries, we attached a HOG Saddle to the MDT GEN 2 Triple-Pull CKYE-POD and got to work.

In a perfect world, users would only take shots in the prone, but field conditions and terrain force hunters to get off their bellies and shoot from a more upright position. When taking more upright shots, like kneeling, or sitting, a tripod or a bipod can be invaluable.

BELOW IS MY ANALYSIS AFTER GUIDING CLIENTS AND LETTING THEM USE MY TRIPLE PULL CKYE-POD:

• Bipod versus tripod. If my client has trained with a tripod, they will usually borrow a tripod for the majority of their shooting. If not, the bipod is easier to use, especially seated.
• Bipods have a slight speed advantage when getting set up on steep, rocky terrain like the side of a mountain. You sit down, deploy the legs, adjust the height, get leveled and start your firing sequence.
• The Triple Pull Ckye Pod can be used even when the client's rifles do not have the appropriate ARCA/RRS/ARMS interface. Just attach a HOG or saddle mount and get to work.
• When it comes to tracking a moving animal or constantly shifting your body from a kneeling or a seated position, clients can generally do this task faster with a bipod than with a tripod.
• The CKYE-POD can serve as a quick rear-monopod when sitting in a blind or if the shooter is resting their rifle on a pack or a terrain feature.

Interface commonality like ARCA rails gives a guide a lot of flexibility.

THE MDT TRIPLE PULL CKYE-POD IS MULTI-USE KIT

During my hunting and guiding adventures, the Triple Pull CKYE-POD can be used for tasks other than a bipod. As a backcountry hunter, who spends hours rucking in the woods, I am constantly looking for ways to consolidate gear or have one piece of kit do multiple tasks.

When clients prefer to shoot off my tripod, I can do all of my spotting with a MDT GEN 2 Triple-Pull CKYE-POD.

Below are my notes that highlight the versatility of the Triple Pull CKYE-POD:

When guiding, I will always take a bipod and a Triple Pull CKYE-POD. I like to stay light because I tend to move fast, and I want to avoid the bulk of carrying two tripods. Clients can use either the tripod or the bipod for shooting, but what is handy is that I can use either piece of kit to mount my spotting scope. The ARCA interface on my CKYE-POD and the tilt and pan feature make attaching a spotting scope a breeze. I can comfortably sit for hours with the CKYE-POD leaning against my legs while glassing or spotting for clients.

With all of the rain New Mexico received this Summer/Fall, the grass at the ranch was several feet high, rodents were abundant, and so were the rattlesnakes. While guiding clients across the prairie during my last two hunts, we had to navigate several patches of tall grass containing at least one rattlesnake. I would prod the grass ahead of me with the CKYE-POD while the clients carefully followed me, and on one occasion, I used the Bipod to pin an aggressive rattlesnake while my clients moved to safety.

Probing for rattlesnakes in the dense grass.

Mostly harmless until stepped on.

When ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain, I am not taking a tripod into the backcountry, especially if I plan to cover 10+ miles in a day. My MDT Gen 2 Triple Pull Ckye Pod can do everything I need, including tasks usually reserved for my tripod. The Bipod is ideal for shooting in the prone, kneeling, and sitting positions. I can use it as a rear monopod when shooting over terrain features, and it can also be used as a mount for my rangefinder or spotting scope, both of which have an ARCA rail attached.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

When I first got the MDT Gen 2 Triple Pull CKYE-POD, I put it in my gear bin and didn't use it for several months. After lending my MDT Gen 2 Double Pull CKYE-POD to an Industry professional, I took the Triple-Pull to the range and fell in love with it. If I were a hunter, I would prioritize the MDT Gen 2 Triple Pull CKYE-POD before investing in a high-end carbon fiber tripod. The MDT Gen 2 Triple Pull CKYE-POD is one of the most versatile pieces of kit I own, and I will never go into the field without it.

Client with a trophy New Mexico Pronghorn Antelope.

HUNTING RESOURCES FROM MDT

• Tips For A Successful Antelope Hunt
• Some Thoughts on Long-Range Hunting
• The Modern Hunting Vest
• Hunting With The MDT XRS Chassis System
• Hunting Stocks Versus PRS-Style Competition Stocks
• Predator Hunting with a Chassis Rifle
• Maximize Performance with Mental Imagery
• Confidence Kills
• 4 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Tripod

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Thomas Gomez is the founder and C.E.O. of High Desert Rifle Works. He has over twelve years of experience in the Healthcare, Tech, and Outdoor Industries, working as an analyst, researcher, consultant, technical writer, and program manager. Thomas has an M.B.A. from Western New Mexico University, numerous armorer certifications, and teaches precision rifle for Q Pro Defense. He spends his free time ranching, farming, fly-fishing, and hunting the high deserts and mountains of his native New Mexico. He can be reached via Instagram @highdesertthomas.