Hiking staff?

[Oldnamvet]

As I get older, my balance and bones are not what they used to be. A broken leg, ankle, etc. would spoil an entire season. After nearly falling a couple times going across a plowed field in the dark to my deer blind, I think some type of hunting/hiking staff would be handy. Does anyone use them and what type, purchased or handmade, works for you?

 

[Brian Williams]

I use a Stoney Point Walking stick, It is a 3 section adjustable staff with a removable knob that can then work like a camera mono pod. I also have a V rifle/Handgun rest that will screw on.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Is this adjustable in height so that while sitting in a blind you could shorten it to serve as a handgun rest?

 

[Guns_and_Labs]

I like the idea of the Swarovski trekpod. It's like the Stony Point, but has little tripod legs. Haven't tried one yet, but nice concept.

 

[MillCreek]

I do a lot of hiking and backpacking in the often wet and slippery Pacific Northwest. I have been using either trekking poles or a hiking staff for years, since it converts me from an unstable biped to a more stable triped or quadraped. This is particularly useful when fording streams with the rocks rolling about on the streambed.

I use either a Tracks hiking staff or a REI brand set of trekking poles. I probably use the staff more frequently, since it telescopes down and I can strap it to my rucksack if I am not using it. A good staff will cost $ 40-65 and a set of poles will cost $ 75-130. I figure if it saves me one broken leg 12 miles away from the trailhead, it is worth it.

 

[unclestu]

How about a photographer's monopod?

I'm unsure if this is strong enough to use as a hiking staff, but I suspect it will serve. You want something lightweight, for balance & to use as a "third leg", right? Well, with some of the prices above I thought I should mention this. It's a photographer's monopod, collapses to 14", extends to 58", & instead of having to release/lock each section of it, a single button releases & locks all sections, so that you can go instantly from fully collapsed to locked up at any length you like up to full extension. It has a standard 1/4" threaded stud on top, you could easily mount a 1/4" nut in some type of forked rest for your rifle & screw it on there(someone probably makes such a gizmo already to screw onto a tripod!). Comes with a green canvas carrying case, all for $90. I know, it's not cheap, but you gotta admit it's slick!

Adorama is the only source I know of for this particular model. there are lots of other photographer's monopods that might work well, but this one is the only one I know of with the single push button, instant lock & unlock. For using as a rest in your blind or stand, it would be absolutely great!
Link: http://www.adorama.com/TPP.html?searchinfo=monopod&item_no=1

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Like MillCreek, I do a lot of backpacking and wouldn't be without a pair of treking poles or at least a hiking staff. But for hunting I use a "Shooters Walking Stick" by MTM. I can't easily describe it, but you can see a picture of one at mtmcase-gard.com. They're pretty cheap - I think I only paid ten or twelve bucks for mine, lightweight, and virtually indestructible. Once you plant its tip in the ground, it provides a fairly solid, adjustable (for height) rifle or handgun rest. You use it like a stout cane for hiking. The only problems I've had with mine is the fact it's only about 3 ft tall so I have to be sitting or prone to use it as a rifle rest and if the ground is frozen it's difficult to plant.

 

[Oldnamvet]

I looked on their web site mtmcase-gard.com and didn't see any shooting sticks. Discontinued? Or I just missed it.

 

[mete]

I have an old ski pole whose basket disintegrated .Makes a fine light, strong hiking pole.

 

[Sharps Shooter]

Oldnamvet, mtm still makes them. They're called Shooters Walking Sticks" and on the mtm website they're listed under "Rifle and Handgun Rests."

 

[Sunray]

Yep, but buying a stick is daft. Even for shooting. I have two. One an oak tree limb, 43.5"(Garand length. Good for leaning on when running ranges.). It's amazing how thick the bark is on oak trees. The other a 6' birch stick I picked up in the bush. The birch weighs 6 oz more than the oak. Either could be used as a fast shooting rest if I was lugging them around in addition to a rifle.
There are lots of maple, poplar, etc saplings in the bush that make dandy walking staves. Peel the bark off though and let it dry for a few days. Sand it smooth and put on a few coats of tung oil.

 

[Mannlicher]

I sometimes carry a Komperdell stick. Fully adjustable for length, collapses to just a short tube, and has an anti shock action.
For heavy duty hiking though, I take an old Ash walking stick that I made. Length is 60 inches. It has a spike at the tip, and a leather thong that can double as a carrying sling for the stick.

 

[Oldnamvet]

Thanks to all who replied/made suggestions. I saw a sale at the local Home Depot and picked up a spare push broom replacement handle which is about the right length. I'll put a spike in the end and try it out for a while before hunting season gets here. I'll be able to make any buying decision (or using a found stick). Only concern is the convenience of adjusting the length to fit it into my car more easily and fitting it into my little ground blind.

 

[Hobie]

I just took a poplar sapling of appropriate size, peeled the bark and let it air dry. Sealed and now pull it out when appropriate (as between seasons to reach part brush as much as to steady myself). I just couldn't see paying money for one.

 

[Sunray]

Drill a pilot hole and whack in a suitable nail and cut off the head. A broomhandle isn't the same as a stick you find, but if it works...

 

[p35]

I have to disagree on peeling the stick right away. I make a lot of walking/hiking sticks, and I've been experimenting with one with an integral rifle rest.

Anyway, if you peel the bark off right after you cut a stick, more often than not it will check (develop splits along the grain). Varies a lot with the species of wood, of course. I would cut it and leave it in the garage at least a month before peeling it. Cut it longer than you need so you can cut off the ends if they split. It's also a good idea to smear wood glue over the cut ends- seals off the sap channels and discourages checking. I've wasted a lot of good wood by getting too eager to start making something and peeling a stick before the mositure content stabilized.

 

[Oldnamvet]

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.

 

[Guyon]

For good deals on trekking poles, try sierratradingpost.com. They tend to sell Komperdells at reasonable discount prices. And they sometimes offer sales or coupons for additional savings. I hike quite a bit, sometimes with my son strapped on my back, and I agree with Millcreek. These things make all the difference--both in terms of balance and knee strain.