While stationed in Germany with the Army, I learned the value of a walking/shooting stick. Very helpful for both shooting and walking on uneven terrain like in mountains. To be useful the stick must be a little longer than you are tall. When walking on a mountain side the stick is placed across your body with the point end up hill. You sort of row yourself with the stick and remain upright and on your feet vs on your butt. When used as a shooting stick, you grab the stick and place your rifle on your thumb. Works real well from the sitting position where you can also get your elbows down on your knees.
In Germany the prefered wood is birch as when it is dried and seasoned, it is light as a feather.