Hiking poles: how beneficial do you find them on your hike in hunts?

[Lionhill]

I tried and like the Primos quick deploy tripod, and have used it on more than a few hikes as a walking stick. The three legs strap together at the bottom, and have a very adjustable height. I needed a tripod for photos while hunting and hiking, doubles as a rock solid rifle rest. There is both a tripod head mount and a camera mount at the top.



Handy to have a walking stick, handy also to have a tripod and a gun rest. The weight is a bot more than walking sticks, but the multipurpose is worth it.

[BCrams]

A little analogy: 2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive. I find poles to be essential tools of backpack sheep hunts (i.e., safety, balance, distribute weight / pressure points) and I have used them since 2002. Great for SilTarp shelters to glass from or sleep under.

[Ltbullken]

Huge! Carrying a heavy pack over uneven ground - poles help you keep balance. Also, they can make a good improvised shooting rest.

[scoutlt1]

I started packing and using my ski poles (yea I'm a cheap bas***d) years ago when I went on hikes/hunts.

Best move ever!

[Carbonmatrix]

The sticks make a huge difference, last year I ran leki titanium and a couple of the locking clips snapped off. Testing out the black diamond alpine corks this year.

[Arctic Lake]

Harry Black Diamond brand, aluminium, oval tubes ( they are stronger than round tubes IMO )with flip locks and shock absorption in the handles .You'll love em ! Bought them at MEC 2 years ago. Not sure of price maybe around $130.
Arctic Lake

[Backwoods]

A little analogy: 2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive. I find poles to be essential tools of backpack sheep hunts (i.e., safety, balance, distribute weight / pressure points) and I have used them since 2002. Great for SilTarp shelters to glass from or sleep under.

X2- I'm using the Black Diamond Carbon Alpine and what they weigh, they will be with me every trip to the mnts, great tool, I also picked up the rubber tips so they arnt so loud on the rocks!

[Laurp99]

I have a pair of Komperdell walking staffs that I use for hiking, the top handle part un-crews off to reveal a camera mount and that is where I would screw on my V Yoke for shooting, I picked this up from Amazon for about $8 and works great!

[Grizzlydick]

nipped into Costco for a look around, guess what, poles for $40./ pair, carbon fiber, cork handles.
just being neighbourly, an passing it on..................

[Rhyno]

Do you use the folding or the Flicklock poles? I have my reservations about the folding but haven't heard any complaints either. Downside to the folding poles is lack of length adjustment.

The ones I have are flip style locks, never used the folding version and am not a fan of the twist lock.