I'm guessing the main advantages to having them on long hike in hunts is your using your upper body a little more to get you up a mountain, and on descents im guessing they help with stability etc, especially when carrying your big game harvested on your pack? I have a gun holder on my pack, which obviously frees up my hands for poles, but I can't help but think that the disadvantage to that is you don't have your rifle ready quickly in a bear encounter, or if you surprise an animal you'd like to harvest?...what's everyone's experience with this?

Ive gotten along fine without them thus far, but was just thinking they may make things a little easier....