Yeah, Tony, it's always right there ready to deploy quickly.
Like "middleofnowhere" sez, at least your hands are free. I absolutely need to use my hiking poles B/C I'm backpack hunting and I need the stability downhill and the extra push uphill.
Plus I use my hiking poles as shooting sticks. I've learned how to quickly twist and cross the handle straps for a rifle rest with the poles X'd.
Eric B.