Trekking poles worth the weight?

[elkaholic]

How many of you guys carry around trekking poles while you are hunting so that you can use them when you come out heavy ? Are the benefit they give worth toting them around?

[2011bullyelk]

I am seriously thinking about these too. I am interested in the responses......

[BrentLaBere]

I wont go without mine. I used ski poles for two years, but they are loud and dont fold down. I bought some black diamond telescoping poles and I am very pleased with them. Stow away nice when hunting and easy to pull out and use when you have a heavy pack on.

[Njdiverdan]

Put me in the won't go without them camp. I have bad knees and actually broke my leg deer hunting several years ago. Using poles is like having 4 wheel drive on your truck. I also find I can hike further / longer with poles (or a single pole if actively hunting / carrying my bow). Once the sun sets or before it rises, my bow is slung across my back and I use both poles. The additional weight is pretty minimal, at least for me.

-dan

[dapper]

We use them on the pack in and out, but not during the hunt. They're great for rough ground with a heavy load. Once in, we use a couple of them to hold a fly up so our bows and gear can be protected at night from the elements.

Dan

[elkaholic]

The feedback is confirming what I thought. They can be a valuable piece of equipment on the packing our pack out. So where is the best place to buy them? Camo fire? REI? Amazon?

[longbowelk]

you can check with REI for used trekking poles in the rental department for sale. Also could check craigslist to see if there is anyone nearby that has a pair. Also check with any backcountry ski shop they may have some leftover collapsible poles from the past winter they are looking to sell off.

[Elkduds]

They can also serve as tent or tarp poles in in a spike camp or bivy, as Dapper noted above. I see them all the time in used sporting goods stores. Camofire/BlackOvis is a sponsor here, they often have clearance deals on trekking poles.