Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Trekking Poles for hunting???

Both Kingston and Tedhorn pointed out NOT using the strap reduces the effective use of the poles. I’m sure YMMV is appropriate in this situation. Being a novice and never using them. I will try both ways, including using only one stick. I can see the benefits of trekking poles, especially after reading the posts of many who are avid hunters and spanning an age group which suggests young and old have benefited from having them...You all have been very helpful. Thank you for that...😎

YouTube how to use the wrist strap and correct adjustment. Not ussing the strap IMO would reduce the poles effectiveness

One more reason I like a cane... wrist strap unnecessary. In fact, I take it off all mine.

I bought a cheap shooting stick at Wal-Mart which doubles as a trekking pole for me. I've got some balance issues due to a heart condition, and it makes a huge difference. For me. I plan on buying some actual trekking poles for now fall.

Look over at Amazon

My wife and I field tested some poles marketed by Alpine Summit

With cork grips and strong flick locks we couldn't find a thing wrong with them as a matter of fact they seemed to be of a very high quality vs their low price point.

We had the option to keep them or return them........we kept both sets!!

The Leki poles I ordered shipped from the UK. It looked like they wouldn’t deliver before Christmas, so I ordered the Alpine Summit poles you tested from Amazon. Today the Leki’s showed up. AS poles deliver tomorrow. I’m keeping all of them. Wife will have a couple sets now too. The Leki poles are very nice! 😎

My next set I will probably try the cork grips. I got the foam grips on my first set. They are pretty good but I understand the cork is great.

The difference is quite real, just make sure yo get real cork... there are "quasi cork" handles out there that are just molded plastic with cork bits in the plastic. They're quite hard and not everyone likes them. Black Diamond uses real cork, no plastic admixture, at least on their more expensive models. Real cork is nice and soft in the hand.

Cork is the way to go... you won't know it till you try it...

Whatever style you buy, you will soon realize the benefit they are. In rocky terrain, I have broken or bent all the high end poles and will settle on moderately priced sets.
Straps are also a benefit as you can use your hand without losing the pole for a variety of tasks. Don't forget to match your baskets to the terrain you expect.
Trekking poles, snowshoes and an elk tag are about as good as it gets.

screw snowshoes....give me a good packhorse.

So do you boys prefer carbon or aluminum? My current set is aluminum and they seem very strong.

The carbon are lighter... I don't know if they're stronger... I've never broken either... my carbon ones have cork handles so I like them a little bit better...

Carbon for general travel, aluminum or alloys for potential deadman anchors in deep snow slopes.

I have a good packhorse, his name is snowshoes. You can borrow him, but don't try to screw him, he won't have no truck with that......

Deadman anchors?? Do you hunt woth formidilosus, or what?

My last backpack hunt would not have been possible without them. Have come to use them for most outings. Using flick-lock black diamonds now; plenty strong and not too pricey. Over the years, wore out some aluminum ones and had one set broken by a friend. I don't expect them to last forever. Can't count the number of times they have kept me out of trouble.

I have a set of Leki poles. I often use them 2hen hiking or even walking in town. I have rubber covers for the carbide tip. They stabilize and protect ankles from turning. They also help to excerise your arms and back.

I bought my girl friend a pair from Walmart. I was not sure how much she would use them. We both keep them in our vehicle to use when we go out for a hike.

As others have stated, they help both uphill and down.