Trekking poles….I don’t get it

[Mikido]

So I was in the elk woods, very thick, very steep terrain, with a very heavy (for me) pack. I did have poles with me, however I felt
Much more comfortable using my hands grabbing trees/saplings/ground (especially with a bow in my hand). I also could not see myself strapping my bow to my pack, just not worth the risk of it getting knocked.

What am I missing?

 

[Coveyleader]

Nothing

 

[Idaho4x4Bronco]

So I was in the elk woods, very thick, very steep terrain, with a very heavy (for me) pack. I did have poles with me, however I felt
Much more comfortable using my hands grabbing trees/saplings/ground (especially with a bow in my hand). I also could not see myself strapping my bow to my pack, just not worth the risk of it getting knocked.

What am I missing?

Helps take stress off your knees and makes going downhill much easier and faster.

 

[EastMT]

I used to hate them, but for steep open a slopes, goats, sheep, half a caribou, moose quarter, I’ve come to love them. I used to call them hippie sticks actually.

6’5” and tend to not have great balance, so I really like them on steep slopes. I hunt with people who don’t use them as well, it’s a personal preference but I won’t go without them.

Also there’s a spot on the Kenai I used to hunt goats that has leg breaker holes in waist high grass, I can feel ahead and avoid them. A buddy tied his to his pack, I told him about the holes, but didn’t use them. 1 hour into our 6 hour alder busting he dropped off in one, almost blew the hunt right there.

 

[AaronMColeman]

I find them extremely useful for the 2nd trip. After I've dropped my rifle or bow and my hands are free that trip is much easier than the first with the rifle or bow. Other time I like the poles is for when it's not super wooded going down hill or following a game trail. And the last reason I carry them is for when I shoot that monster one day, to help stabilize all 400" of is 7x7 rack

 

[Sierra Hunter]

Don’t use them 95% of the time but was stoked to have them coming out with an elk in the snow. Really felt like it prevented 2-3 falls

 

[*zap*]

Everything has it's place. How is grabbing trees with your bow in your hand safer for the bow than strapping it to your pack? I don't get it.

 

[mtnwrunner]

I wouldn't be without them. Multi use item. Hiking, packing, shooting sticks, supports for tarps, etc.

Randy

 

[SummitsCalling]

So I was in the elk woods, very thick, very steep terrain, with a very heavy (for me) pack. I did have poles with me, however I felt
Much more comfortable using my hands grabbing trees/saplings/ground (especially with a bow in my hand). I also could not see myself strapping my bow to my pack, just not worth the risk of it getting knocked.

What am I missing?

Wait till you have knee, or back pain. Part of the lure of trekking poles is they help ease some that strain, before it becomes a problem. It also helps stabilize significantly large loads on your back, think 50-100lbs, ever hike with that kind of weight a lone distance(not 5 miles)? Just my 2 cents

 

[Jethro]

Enough us strapping bow to pack to prove it doesn’t put bow at risk. I hate carrying my bow in hand when I don’t have to. In dark and packing meat, my bow is on pack.

 

[Werty]

a lot of sound advice in these last few post!

 

[Jimss]

As mentioned several times about they are a knee and leg saver..especially going downhill on extreme slopes. Much more stable.

There also is an art to using poles. My BIL in Alaska taught me some tricks that make them even more effective.

 

[fmyth]

So I was in the elk woods, very thick, very steep terrain, with a very heavy (for me) pack. I did have poles with me, however I felt
Much more comfortable using my hands grabbing trees/saplings/ground (especially with a bow in my hand). I also could not see myself strapping my bow to my pack, just not worth the risk of it getting knocked.

What am I missing?

You'll appreciate trekking poles much more after your 50th birthday. I find them to be a great help when packing out an elk in steep country. They are especially helpful in snow or mud and for water crossings. You only need to fall crossing a stream in mid November while carrying an elk rear quarter one time to know the true value of a good pair of trekking poles.

 

[GunsAreFun]

I don’t always use them when hunting but always have them. They get used on a trail or in a clear area when I’m not actively hunting. I can walk SO MUCH faster with so much less perceived effort. I’d say 30% sustained faster pace.

 

[Blackdog317]

The main reason I carry them is for stability with a heavy pack (50 - 80+ lbs). They have saved me many times from a bad fall while packing out meat after dark in steep, rocky terrain. Also great as a monopod for glassing with binoculars.

As others have said, multi-use item. The positives outweigh the negatives by far for me. I don't hunt out West without them.

 

[Stubborn_bowhunter]

I don't usually put my bow on my back unless I no longer need it, or am carrying heavy then I like the poles.
I'll use poles all day if it's someone elses hunt. I'm a f*****g mountain goat with some trekking poles and no weapon to carry. LOL

I'll throw in though.. it's more dangerous having the bow in your hand. If you slip and an arrow comes out of that quiver you could seppuku yourself pretty easily.
I'm OCD about checking my arrows are secured in the quiver after I bump anything.
Odds are slim, but never zero haha

 

[gibbons025]

It took me awhile to get used to them but once I did I love them. Packing out meat or a heavy load they work wonders.

 

[Jbxl20]

I thought the same thing. People are silly for using them. Now if I have weight on my pack and I’m going downhill I’m definitely using them.
.
Montana bow sling! works awesome, keeps your hands free and bow accessible. I rarely strap my bow to my pack.

 

[MULEPACKHUNTER]

number one routine, hunt till dark 2 miles in, str4ap bow to pack pull out poles and head lamp and hit the trail. way more stable hiking that way. of course theres always times when its better to not have them. really steep stuff. Ide rather hurt my bow then take a nasty fall to try and protect it.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Put 2 elk quarters in your pack and see if they make a difference.