Shortly before I left for hunting, I was presented a Stoney Point adjustable length shooting/hiking staff. That sucker saved my butt - many times. The first day I didn't carry it (wasn't used to it and eager to get into the field - forgot it). I just about didn't make it to my blind since I have to walk across about 1/2 mile of plowed field to get to the blind. Then there was wind gusting to 60 mph (blew my blind over twice, once almost with me in it), rain, 38F temperatures, etc. I was exhausted and sore by the time I got there. Then after 12 hours, I had to walk it all again to get back. Second day there was 6" of snow on top of the plowed field. I took the staff that time and it made a world of difference. It was still hard walking but I didn't get sore all over from catching my balance. It was tiring, but not as bad and I managed to go slow enough to avoid working up a sweat. From then on, the staff was my constant companion in the field and will remain so. It already paid for itself. And, since someone is bound to ask, no, I didn't harvest any deer. I passed on a small spike 30 minutes into the season and didn't see anything legal after that. The weather only got worse each day. So after 36 hours of hunting, I went home. But then, for me, the fun is actually over in hunting once the game is down. Then starts the work. So, I guess I had all fun, no work, and the deer will only get bigger next year.
I am attaching a picture of the field I have to cross going and coming to my blind. I start walking from that barn in the far distance. The blind actually overlooks a very dense brushy river bottom with a couple of shooting lanes.