Well, opportunity has a lot to do with it. The western states just have a lot more open country.
I've hunted around the swamps near Blountstown, Florida; and a little bit in thick stuff near Thomasville, GA. You really have to find a trail and set up close by. I haven't been fortunate to have a deer come by that excited me, but what deer I've seen have been in the 25- to 75-yard ranges.
If I have the chance, I'll sure take a rest or lean on a tree. Offhand is for when there's no real alternative.
I do think folks spend too much time on the benchrest, and not enough time trying to hit a beercan, offhand, at 100 yards. Getting the eye-hand coordination together is a lot more important than ultra-tight groups. The idea is to shoot just once, on ol' Bambi.
, Art