Tips & Tactics

Sheep Man’s Tip for Deer Hunters

Sheep Man’s Tip for Deer Hunters

By Tim H. Martin

Photo: An old sheep hunter’s tip helps deer hunters beat fatigue and shoo snakes while scouting and hunting.

Years ago, an avid sheep hunter gave me a tip that has proven extremely valuable in the deer woods, especially now that I’m getting gray-headed.

While in my 30s, I made a trip to Alaska, which required hiking in mountainous areas. After Day One, my legs and back were incredibly sore, and I was exhausted even though I was in top physical shape.

I had completed several half marathons, so my legs shouldn’t have been that sore, but they were toast.

When I returned home, I mentioned the fatigue to my sheep-hunting buddy. He asked, “You mean, you didn’t carry a hiking stick?”

I replied, “No. I’ve never even considered one. Do they help THAT much?”

“Oh, yeah!” he said. “You might not realize it, but hills make you use muscles you don’t normally use, even if you are in good shape, especially downhill, and a backpack only makes it worse.

“A hiking stick will save your knees, legs, shoulders and back. You’ll notice a big difference in how you feel the next day. I don’t leave home without one anymore, even when hiking to deer stands in Alabama.”

This is a man who has collected sheep in every mountainous region of the world: Alaska/Yukon, Mongolia, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan — all the “stan” countries, including the dangerous ones like Afghanistan and Pakistan. So, I listen when he speaks.

Before the next deer season, I paid about $16 for a retractable hiker’s stick (also called trekking poles or walking sticks) and began to incorporate it into my whitetail hunting. My friend was so right! Whenever a lengthy or hilly hike was required, I noticed an enormous reduction in fatigue, and I had more energy to hunt.

Since most hiking sticks are made of metal and rubber, they are virtually scent-free, so I just leave mine at the base of my treestand.

In addition to hunting season, I’ve found the hiking stick to be useful in late summer scouting trips. Not only do they make hiking with a pack less stressful, the stick is handy for spooking away snakes in wooly spots. And if crossing a stream is required, the stick helps me keep my balance and check for drop offs.

Since I am over 50 now, I REALLY appreciate the hiking stick when I’m kneeling down to load a portable treestand, a heavy backpack and a rifle on my shoulders.

Without the old sheep hunter’s advice, I’m not so sure I could stand up anymore!

— Photo Courtesy of Tim H. Martin

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