Longbow = Walking Staff?

[WindWalker-AK]

Ladies & Gentlemen,
Was wondering if any of you use your longbow as a walking staff on a regular basis?
Am finding advancing age and old war wounds are finally catching up with me.  The use of a staff greatly increases my comfort and sense of stability when out and about.  In the past had always considered using my bow for such purpose to be akin to being sacrilegious.
I do not normally subject a staff to the full weight of my person when hunting but it does happen once in awhile.
Thought I might try one of our older selfbows that I made some years ago (with a plastic or rubber tip protector) before venturing forth with one of our HH bows.  That would at least give me some idea as to how much abuse the bow is being subjected to.
The terrain we hunt can vary from a dry stream bed (rocks, sand and fine gravel) to soft tundra.
Carrying the bow in one hand and a staff in the other interferes with other endeavors.
Anyone else in the same boat?
Best Wishes

[ron w]

When in rough country I strap a collapsible alum hiking staff to my pack in case I need it. My knees aren't what they used to be. Most times I don't use it till I'm on my way out at the end of the day. It's nice to have when crossing a steam also.

[William F. Adams]

There was a discussion on this on paleoplanet[1] a while back which had this link:

 http://forum.bueforum.no/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=60&start=615

unfortunately the images don't seem to be loading at the moment.

William

1 -  http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/topic/37406

[sweeney3]

I haven't used it as a full time staff, although with some models I might if I thought they were tough enough.  I have used it as a balance/steadying device while trying to sneak up on critters.  It's been very helpful in that sense, and has shown no ill effects thus far.

[ron w]

By the way...one of the reasons I like my Bear Montana, it's tough as nails and built like a walking stick....most walking sticks are better looking...lol!

[mickeys4]

Great to just stop and lean on!

[rascal]

I saw Tred Barta using his once as a staff to steady himself crossing a fast running stream.  He even mentioned that he liked his bows built tough so they could take such treatment and still shoot at the end of the day.  Never tried it personally but then again I have some selfbows made of black locust that Im sure could club a grizzly into submission.  I would think with a limb protector of some form it could work.

[Bjorn]

Depends on the bow.........some limbs are sturdier and more rigid.
Fedora, BW, ACS 1 pc-sure why not? ACS 3 pc, Schafer 1pc, No.
As above, selfbows absolutely.

[WindWalker-AK]

Gentlemen, thank you all for sharing.  It is most appreciated.
Best Wishes

[McDave]

I think you ought to borrow one of Bjorn's bows and use it as a walking stick before you try it on one of your own.

[FerretWYO]

I have a prong horn long bow that has help me up many a time in a creek crossing or steep hill. I just watched Fred Bear in a video use his to cross a creek. Though he did have a healthy supply.