If you're into making your own and have white oak in your neck of the woods.... Find skinny sapling(s). It should be large enough diameter for a secure grip, but light. Leave the bark on where you grip and don't worry if it isn't straight. A little bend acts as a shock absorber. It'll flex just enough, but not like the aluminum type. The grain goes from grip to tip and is exceptionally strong. If it's good, you can pass those onto the younger hunters starting out. Don't go for limbs, just a young sappling next to a big one. Easy to ID from the lack of pins on leaf tips.
It's been 3 weeks since I got my fancy carbon fiber hiking poles . Wife and I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains so our hiking is mostly up and down, She is 9 years younger and tonight I found her texting one of her buddies that I "was cheating with the poles". I'm officially a hiking pole fan boy now
I hunt with them also use them for shooting sticks, cant see the need for shooting sticks when you have hiking poles.
I carry just 1. It's great for hiking and I've learned to use it as a shooting stick by propping it against something else, from my leg to a bush, whatever's available. Trying to fumble with 2 poles and a rifle is more trouble than it's worth.
I';ve never found a need (or desire) for 2 hiking sticks. 1 is sufficient for crossing streams, hiking uphill/uneven terrain.
Why 2? You shouldnt be using your upper body to ascend.
Use as shooting sticks in nice, but I carry thinner sticks for that. But 2 to shoot off of, ok. But for hiking? I'll keep a free hand, thanks.
Originally Posted by Archerhunter
Quit giving in inch by inch then looking back to lament the mile behind ya and wonder how to preserve those few feet left in front of ya. They'll never stop until they're stopped. That's a fact.
Quit giving in inch by inch then looking back to lament the mile behind ya and wonder how to preserve those few feet left in front of ya. They'll never stop until they're stopped. That's a fact.
I hunt with them also use them for shooting sticks, cant see the need for shooting sticks when you have hiking poles.
I carry just 1. It's great for hiking and I've learned to use it as a shooting stick by propping it against something else, from my leg to a bush, whatever's available. Trying to fumble with 2 poles and a rifle is more trouble than it's worth.
I';ve never found a need (or desire) for 2 hiking sticks. 1 is sufficient for crossing streams, hiking uphill/uneven terrain.
Why 2? You shouldnt be using your upper body to ascend.
Use as shooting sticks in nice, but I carry thinner sticks for that. But 2 to shoot off of, ok. But for hiking? I'll keep a free hand, thanks.
The balance assistance from poles can save a lot of energy, ascending/descending/flat. I'm often using only 1, but 2 helps gives you more balance...in a lot of cases it's not needed but it's still there.
9 years ago I had a fall that messed up my back. None of the imaging showed anything that could be fixed surgically. I had to retire early. 3 years ago we were traveling to meet a new grand nephew. Something shifted during the road trip home and the pain level went from "I hate traveling this sucks". To "CRAP! I want narcotics and a 2nd opinion right now!". Got in to see a neurosurgeon who ordered a different kind of image where a dye was injected first for better contrast. It turned out that the reason my back never got better was a piece of vertebrae was completely broken loose and just floating around in there bumping up against the spinal cord at will. The surgeon made a small incision and plucked it out the patched me up with super glue. Over all I have 60% better mobility now \ Prior to surgery the only exercise I got was swimming . I had been making gains with swimming again then Covid happened and I basically began growing roots out of my butt again. I carry a 3 leg back packing stool to rest on when needed and earlier this week my custom Diamond D hip holster for my S&W Model 69 with a Vortex Venom red dot arrived. From a seated position using the hiking poles as shooting sticks I'm able to keep all 5 shots on an 8" steel target at 75 yards.
I made my own "trekking poles" in the 1970's out of ski poles back when no one was using them. I did a few backpacks with them before I went back to a single staff. I just don't like having two objects in my hands unless I need to (snowshoeing/skiing).
After using a walking staff for years, I switched to a cane about 30 years ago. I prefer it over anything else. It gives me the necessary "3rd point of contact" for safety/stability/support, but leaves my other hand free (which is especially handy when carrying a rifle). Think of it as an ice axe like tool for a walker rather than a climber.
As I said earlier in the thread, I still have a pair of BD Carbon Cork Trekking poles, but I doubt they will ever replace my Komperdell Cane.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
When I’m backpacking I use trekking poles all the time; when hunting they are collapsed and attached to my pack. If I get lucky and kill an elk, then they earn their keep hauling meat out.
There’s an outfit (Spartan) that lets you utilize your tripod legs as trekking poles- kind of a neat double duty deal. Not sure well they work, but a neat idea.
If you're into making your own and have white oak in your neck of the woods.... Find skinny sapling(s). It should be large enough diameter for a secure grip, but light. Leave the bark on where you grip and don't worry if it isn't straight. A little bend acts as a shock absorber. It'll flex just enough, but not like the aluminum type. The grain goes from grip to tip and is exceptionally strong. If it's good, you can pass those onto the younger hunters starting out. Don't go for limbs, just a young sappling next to a big one. Easy to ID from the lack of pins on leaf tips.
I’ve used Hard Maple saplings for years.
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson
Alaska taught me the value of trekking poles except in the rocks I've broken at least one every trip. The super duper lightweights cannot withstand that beating or torque when wedged - can't blame them. Now opt for moderately priced versions. Last caribou trip I cut a pretty straight willow, skinned off the bark and tied on a wrist loop from a broken shoestring. Help me twice from a steep wet slope and an out of control fall. It came back on the Delta flight as a souvenir. I'll bring a pair of Leki's on the sheep hunt on Aug 7 and see how long they last.............
My home is the "sanctuary residence" for my firearms.
I made my own "trekking poles" in the 1970's out of ski poles back when no one was using them. I did a few backpacks with them before I went back to a single staff. I just don't like having two objects in my hands unless I need to (snowshoeing/skiing).
After using a walking staff for years, I switched to a cane about 30 years ago. I prefer it over anything else. It gives me the necessary "3rd point of contact" for safety/stability/support, but leaves my other hand free (which is especially handy when carrying a rifle). Think of it as an ice axe like tool for a walker rather than a climber.
As I said earlier in the thread, I still have a pair of BD Carbon Cork Trekking poles, but I doubt they will ever replace my Komperdell Cane.
Great pic Brad!!! Not sure about a cane style but better give it a try. Looks like a great bino platform for glassing at the very least. In that country optics better be glued to your eyes. A comfy set up will produce more game. Ground pad to sit on. Cane to rest bins on. Nice man.
Your Every Liberal vote promotes Socialism and is an attack on the Second Amendment. You will suffer the consequences.
GOA,Idaho2AIAlliance,AmericanFirearmsAssociation,IdahoTrappersAssociation,FoundationForWildlifeManagement ID and MT.
Shag, you one sexy sumbitch you!!! Those poles I gotcha will prevail!!!
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
After borrowing a few, went with the lightest cork handled model that was handily available, which was some leki’s, and like them. Flip locks. Not much separates poles other than getting the grips you like, fastener-type you like, honest tips, at a reasonably light weight. Have got $12 cheapies in the truck that are 90% as good, you know? So, not something to over analyze really imo.
Last weekend’s pole country, “morning after”.
Golldammed motion detector lights. A guy can’t even piss off his porch in peace any more.
"Look, I want to help the helpless. It's the clueless I don't give a [bleep] about." - Dennis Miller on obamacare.
I made my own "trekking poles" in the 1970's out of ski poles back when no one was using them. I did a few backpacks with them before I went back to a single staff. I just don't like having two objects in my hands unless I need to (snowshoeing/skiing).
After using a walking staff for years, I switched to a cane about 30 years ago. I prefer it over anything else. It gives me the necessary "3rd point of contact" for safety/stability/support, but leaves my other hand free (which is especially handy when carrying a rifle). Think of it as an ice axe like tool for a walker rather than a climber.
As I said earlier in the thread, I still have a pair of BD Carbon Cork Trekking poles, but I doubt they will ever replace my Komperdell Cane.
Hey Brad,
With enough length, that looks like it could be a cane, hiking/ tracking pole AND crutch if need be. I'm only thinking crutches in an emergency. If an ankle or leg is injured, it looks like that "T" design might allow a comfortable underarm support. What do you think? Is it a sturdy lightweight material?