My partner found a set of collapsible trekking poles on our hunt last year.  We both used a single pole and noted an advantage.  He kept the set together and I am considering getting a pole of my own. Question for me is one pole or two?  I doubt I would use both poles unless I was done hunting and packing meat, might be worth having 2 poles then.

Even one is better than none.........  

I always use one hiking pole , I just recently purchased one that the top comes off and I can mount by binos on it and I really like that. I just used it the other night and it sure was handy.

I use one when hiking, and two when packing, think of then as stabilizers,

I dont use then hunting, but i use them to get to my hunting spot

I also fish rivers with them---------to date I have poked a-- bear--cow moose-- dozens of chipmunks-- and two yuppies with them.

What did the yuppies do.....              

I do not use them while hunting but carry a set in my pack or vehicle to use when a critter is down.  Carrying ten loads of moose meat, five by me and five by my hunting partner, and a final trip with the antlers over rugged, steep, muskeg, and brushed terrain, reaffirmed my belief in them.  Even on well used trails while hiking with heavy loads they can prevent an injury to your ankle or knee, thus saving a hunt.  I lost count of how many times they kept me from falling while trainning for the moose hunt.  Just ani't as nimble as I once was.

Great pics Walt.Two years ago I put my back out on our Elk hunt,so I used one pole,now I wouldn't hunt without one,especially climbing over alot of logs and blowdowns.

I use them once in awhile.  They really make a difference descending really-really steep and/or greasy or icy terrain, and they also are helpful with heavy packs.  I just don't like the extra weight and stuff otherwise I would take them more often.

Sometimes I just take 1. One is better than none but not as good as two lol.

I like the ones that have latches and/or buttons to extend or retract.  I've had problems sometimes with the ones that you twist to tighten or loosen.  Sometimes hard to loosen, and sometimes they retract when I don't want them too.

I would use them if camping was involved they become very useful setting up shelters in a pinch when it starts raining, you can even store tent poles inside or anything,, crossing fast water streams or deeper rivers ..  but good to have strapped to the pack just in case.

Thanks for all the responses guys.  For the most part it's kind of what I was expecting to hear.  

I don't have any intensions of using the poles while I'm actually hunting.  Their main use would be for my initial pack in to my starting point (6-9 miles typically) with a 40-45lb pack. I'd then leave them with my tent while I hunt and use them again on the pack out (hopefully with a load about twice as heavy)

Steve O - Thanks for the offer on the Eberlestock holder but my bow fits perfectly in the side pockets of my pack when fully disassembled and gives me a much lower profile.  I won't need quick access since it will just be for the pack in which will most likely be in the dark anyway.

Walt - Awesome Pictures!!  That really puts into perspective just how big those animals really are and how much meat is on them. One day....

A skiff of snow on aspen leaves on a CO mountain will make your decision for you.  I use them a lot, sometimes to whack hornhunter when he gets out of line.

No mountains around here, but there's no doubt about how much a pole or 2 helps with the walking, backpack or no. My poles are pretty low tech, but all have a metal point.
Steve O, no need to feel geezierish, just check out Ozzie Clint's Tahr and Chamois hunt thread, boys look pretty able with 2 poles...

I have wondered about these. Could aluminum ski pole be made to work? any difference really?