I am from North Dakota, where there are not a lot of trees, yet a large variety of trees and shrubs good for making walking sticks. I'm a good portion Irish, so shillelaughs are my goal.
Research on prunus spinosa (blackthorn) indicated that it grows here. That led me to wanting to find some, and make my own walking stick, staff, and fighting stick. I've hovered about this site for a day or so, and learned more about sticks than I ever thought possible.