All the options in those styles use poles. The Eolus and Silex use 2 trekking poles the granite mountain uses 2 or 1 depending on the year. The EMS also uses a trekking pole Above tree line it’s either poled, free standing or a bivy 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️
Definitely sounds like a fun year. I am in Westcliffe not sure what units and seasons you are hunting but if we can make schedules work I am game. Always down to make new friends.
There will always be different opinions about bows. Biggest thing is to have him shoot as many as he can. Elite, hoyt, mathews, prime are all great bows. When I brought my girlfriend in for her first bow I told her to pick what was most comfortable. Opinions can be thrown around all day it all...
I am by no means a huge Mathews fan as I shot prime. But you should have him shot a Mathews No Cam it is one of the smoothest drawing bows I have shot in a long time.