Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Wood Walking/Hiking Stick?

I made one out of maple same length as I am tall or my arms are outstretched. I use it when my knees are acting up and I'm hunting. If I'm hiking in the mountains with a back pack I use two ski poles that I cut down a couple of inches. If my knees aren't bothering me I don't use either.

KC:

Are you certain your stalks are from a yucca? Arizona's sotol stalks usually provide the best, lightest and strongest sticks, and they only get better as the years go by. We call them "Moses Sticks" down here in southern Arizona.

I have one I've used for at least 40 years. I padded the top with a piece of foam and covered it and 18 inches or so of the heavy end of the stalk with elkskin. A rubber crutch-tip on the slim end completes the stick.

It makes a dandy monopod in addition helping steady me when I'm on steep slopes. I like to cut the stalk so that it is the height of my eyes from the ground, so that I can steady my binoculars on it when standing up and glassing for deer and javelinas.

Bill Quimby

Bill:

No I'm not sure it was a yucca. That was a long time ago (maybe 3 or 4 decades). But she still has it and still uses it.

KC

I'm 81 years old and not as steady as I use to be so I've been using a walking stick and cane for a couple years now.

I've made many walking/shooting mono-sticks out of birch. I look for a piece that is relatively straight with a fork in it, cut it to my height, peel it, pad the shooting fork, and have at it. Often I need to slender the lower end to wind up with a stick of relatively same diameter, top to bottom - usually 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches. I don't make 'em pretty, just leave them rough carved- usually with a machete. I do use 60 grit sandpaper to smooth off rough or sharp edges. Cheap and quick! A good feature, as I have a bunch of them scattered around the country....

The same-body height allows it to be used well both up-hill and down, walking or shooting, as well as on the level.

I've also recently been using my BOG-POD tripod as a walking stick when needed. Again, double duty.

Can't afford ammo?

Great gift. Nice wood working.