My Grandpa told me the same "barking" technique was used at organized "turkey shoots", when the turkey would be secured behind a log, with just its head and neck sticking up. That made for a smaller, more difficult target, one which would always be bobbing around. "Barking" increased a man's chances and also saved the meat! I have my great-grandfather's old squirrel rifle, about .35 caliber, which he had while serving in the 52nd EMM in Cooper County. It has a 1" octagon barrel 36" long, weighs about 12 lb. It is a handful, so a rest would always help, I expect, but it also has quite a deep-cut buttplate, which nestles into your shoulder very securely and makes the gun hold surprisingly steady when aimed offhand. Easier to shoot than to carry in the woods all day, that's for sure!