Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Hiking stick / staff ideas

Fiberglass rake handle minus tines, with a little pointy dealy where the tines used to insert ,held it with gorilla glue.

You could cut a small hickory sapling now, peel the bark off, and seal the ends. The benefit over a hoe handle is that it will be harder to break since no growth rings are cut through. It will take a couple years to completely dry though unless you leave it in a hot truck or car all summer. Right now, hickory should peel good. You could seal the ends with cheap super glue.

Dogwood makes a good walking stick, if you can find a reasonably straight piece. What makes it so good is the fact that it is harder than hickory and the more briars and bushes you hit with it, the smoother it gets.

I also use a staff in my outdoor activities due to bad knees
(torn meniscus repair in R knee). I did buy 2 ski poles at the Salvation Army Thrift Store for $5 and camoed them. Used the leather loop for a rifle hold to steady my sights. It was also useful in scratching in corn and cotton rows for Indian artifacts at a nearby mound. I also made a staff for me and the grandkids and carved an eagles head on the end. Straighten them out with steam and heat (an old wallpaper steamer/remover I also got from the SA Thrift) and stained them, wood burned their names on them. I’m fond of hickory and dogwood also. I have used persimmon. All are HARD. Dogwood was used to half sole sled runners that were pulled by mules round here in earlier times. I have made one or 2 for my doctors who love the outdoors. Great for duck hunters to check water depth and retrieve decoys. I have put a wall locker coat hook or a notch in the end to help grab decoy or trot lines. Killed quit a few snakes with them too. Mostly used for balance and to aid in getting up from a sitting position. Wish I could post pics.

the stalk of a sotol plant makes a light yet strong staff

I bought a wooden walking staff in the Walmart fishing section of my local Walmart. Other than having to replace the tip once I have not had any other issues with it. Use it while hunting and fishing in rough areas in the mountains here in Idaho. Cost about $12.00.

I have a bunch of rough cut oak I could probably make one if I know what you're wanting.