Trekking Poles - Get Yourself A Pair

I’ll be the first to admit—I waited too long to start using trekking poles. Like many hunters of my generation, I saw them as something for bushwalkers or folks who were a bit soft around the edges. I thought, “I’ve been hunting all my life without them—why start now?”

But age has a way of teaching you things, often with a bit of pain attached. And let me tell you: if I’d started using trekking poles from day one, I could’ve saved my knees a hell of a lot of wear and tear.

Take my Coues deer hunt, for example. I shot a cracking buck late in the afternoon, right near the top of a steep Arizona mountain. What followed was an absolute nightmare of a descent—pitch black, my pack loaded with meat, and the entire mountainside littered with boulders the size of bowling balls. Every step was a gamble, and with no poles to steady myself, it was a slow, exhausting crawl back down to the bottom. I was battered, spent, and lucky not to get injured.

Wish I had Trekking Poles On That Hunt

That was the last hunt I did without trekking poles.

From the very next trip, I packed a pair—and I’ve never looked back. Whether you're climbing out of a deep gully, side-hilling across shale, or picking your way down through wet scrub, trekking poles take a load off—literally.

They ease the pressure on your knees and back, help with balance, and keep you upright in rough terrain.

They’re not just about comfort—they’re about safety. Poles help you test dodgy footing, give you extra points of contact on slippery surfaces, and stop minor stumbles from turning into busted ankles or worse. And when you’re carrying a full pack of meat or gear, that extra stability makes all the difference.

In snowy conditions, they’re a must. It’s so easy to slip in the snow—especially when your boots lose grip or there’s ice hidden beneath the surface. Trekking poles give you that crucial third and fourth point of contact.

Here’s a photo of my mate Bruce from Texas, hunting tahr on New Zealand’s South Island, putting trekking poles to good use in the alpine snow:

Trekking Poles Are A Must Do

These days I use lightweight, adjustable carbon-fibre poles. Tough as nails, and they fold up nicely on the back of the pack when I don’t need them.

If you’re a younger hunter reading this—take it from someone who’s walked a few miles in rough country. Don’t wait until you’re older (and sore) to figure it out. Trekking poles aren’t just for hikers. They’re an essential bit of hunting gear.

Your knees will thank you.