Hawk Helium Stick w/ Cam Cleat

[DaveT1963]

Folks its not the button that locks the rope it is the weight of the stick and hunter that forces the rope against itself thus tightening as more weight is applied.

 

[kenn1320]

Folks its not the button that locks the rope it is the weight of the stick and hunter that forces the rope against itself thus tightening as more weight is applied.

Right. I was thinking if the button is too large for the rope, it wont allow the rope to pinch itself. However thinking about it more, the height is irrelevant since the rope runs behind the rope and that's where the pinching takes place.

 

[redsquirrel]

Why not just use a versa button?

Because I have to cut the versa buttons down to make them fit. Just trying to think outside the box.

I was joking Red, just really dont see any advantage to a boat cleat over the button. On a serious note, since we can use smaller diameter rope (amsteel) it only makes sense the versa button could be smaller. Its working by pinching the rope, so too big of a button may actually be detrimental to the end goal. DaveT has it working with a full size button, guess we will wait to hear how it works with your shorter button(not in a whoopie application, just the standard rope wrap method).

Its all good! Remember I'm not using the rope mod right now with them, so I'm still always open to new ideas. Although the more I fool around with this amsteel, the more I think we can use it for...

 

[MCDM]

So I pondered this mod awhile back but cam cleats can be a bit pricey. Also we take risks all the time and more so with all the ideas floating around on this site. Key points to look at for this mod with the Helium Sticks specifically. Where we would attach the rope anchor point? I thought possibly drilling a hole through the channel section of the stick but that led me to think it might compromise the integrity of the stick. Helium's are flatter when compared to Lonewolfs and other sticks. Also on a personal note by adding more mechanical moving parts and having to drill more holes is it really worth it (are we risking too much 20+ feet up and the cleat fails)!!!

 

[redsquirrel]

Also we take risks all the time and more so with all the ideas floating around on this site.

I just want to point out that climbing trees is inherently dangerous, and it is up to the individual users to verify the safety of their own equipment. For most of us, I do not think we take more risks with the idea floating around on this site. Sure, there are some ideas thrown around that are out there, but they are just part of discussions searching for better ways to do things. The main theme on this site is do things with safety coming first, and almost every time that someone does something questionable, someone else calls that person out. If they continue to do something unsafe it is on them.

 

[DaveT1963]

Also we take risks all the time and more so with all the ideas floating around on this site.

I just want to point out that climbing trees is inherently dangerous, and it is up to the individual users to verify the safety of their own equipment. For most of us, I do not think we take more risks with the idea floating around on this site. Sure, there are some ideas thrown around that are out there, but they are just part of discussions searching for better ways to do things. The main theme on this site is do things with safety coming first, and almost every time that someone does something questionable, someone else calls that person out. If they continue to do something unsafe it is on them.

Agree. In the military we learned to do risk analysis. Pretty simple process. Identify the risk. 2. Try to eliminate the risk. 3. Do a risk analysis (odds). 4. Mitigate high risks/high probability, 5. assume risks that are low probability and low threat and low probability.

Heck there is a risk we will be killed on the drive over. So what can we do? Plant the route, check weather, use good equipment (tires), slow down if necessary, wear seat belt, leave early, et..... all these help to eliminate or mitigate the risk of being hurt/killed on the drive over to the hunting spot BUT THEY DO NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK.

Same with saddle hunting. Break it down into the major steps (walking to location, climbing tree, tying off, hunting, packing up, climbing down, walking to truck..... now identify the know hazards/risks and see if you can eliminate or mitigate. Then you will have a good understanding of the remaining risk and level of threat - awareness is the major theme - if you are aware of the risk you will tend to be more careful while exercising the task....... it is when we take something for granted due to repetition or not thinking about it that these risks tend to jump out and bite us.

all this to say - KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME, learn your process and equipment, mitigate and then stay aware.

I personally don't consider hunting from a saddle to be all that high of a risk. Much lower then loading your own ammo, hunting out of a kayak in freezing weather with hip waders, negotiating hills/swamps in the dark with hogs, snakes and gators, etc........

 

[g2outdoors]

Agree. In the military we learned to do risk analysis. Pretty simple process. Identify the risk. 2. Try to eliminate the risk. 3. Do a risk analysis (odds). 4. Mitigate high risks/high probability, 5. assume risks that are low probability and low threat and low probability.

Heck there is a risk we will be killed on the drive over. So what can we do? Plant the route, check weather, use good equipment (tires), slow down if necessary, wear seat belt, leave early, et..... all these help to eliminate or mitigate the risk of being hurt/killed on the drive over to the hunting spot BUT THEY DO NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK.

Same with saddle hunting. Break it down into the major steps (walking to location, climbing tree, tying off, hunting, packing up, climbing down, walking to truck..... now identify the know hazards/risks and see if you can eliminate or mitigate. Then you will have a good understanding of the remaining risk and level of threat - awareness is the major theme - if you are aware of the risk you will tend to be more careful while exercising the task....... it is when we take something for granted due to repetition or not thinking about it that these risks tend to jump out and bite us.

all this to say - KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME, learn your process and equipment, mitigate and then stay aware.

I personally don't consider hunting from a saddle to be all that high of a risk. Much lower then loading your own ammo, hunting out of a kayak in freezing weather with hip waders, negotiating hills/swamps in the dark with hogs, snakes and gators, etc........

Great post Dave. I completely agree.

 

[redsquirrel]

I personally don't consider hunting from a saddle to be all that high of a risk. Much lower then loading your own ammo, hunting out of a kayak in freezing weather with hip waders, negotiating hills/swamps in the dark with hogs, snakes and gators, etc........

I agree with everything you said Dave. Personally, I think hunting out of a saddle is safer than hunting out of a tree stand (at least I feel that way). I had wanted to point out that discussions of new and better ways to do things might include discussions of questionable things in order to get to the best and safest thing, but those are only discussions. It is always up to the end user to perform the risk analysis that you stated, but the ongoing theme on this site is safety comes first.

 

[MCDM]

I agree with both Dave and Red all I wanted to kinda make some awareness of this mod. As great as the helium sticks are I think this mod is not going to work due to the extra attachment points for the cleat and then the attachment of the rope. Don't get me wrong if someone can make it work great!! Personally I think saddle hunting is way safer then a stand and I have fallen 18+ feet from one. I have never fallen from my saddle or even felt unsafe.

 

[DaveT1963]

Hey guys my comment was just me thinking out loud not pointed at anyone..... Duscussions about safety are needed..... It keeps are awareness higher which is a good thing. I really was just thinking out loud or voicing my own opinion. Sorry if it came across otherwise

 

[redsquirrel]

Hey guys my comment was just me thinking out loud not pointed at anyone..... Duscussions about safety are needed..... It keeps are awareness higher which is a good thing. I really was just thinking out loud or voicing my own opinion. Sorry if it came across otherwise

No it didn't Dave, I think you were spot on. Discussions about safety are absolutely needed. If anyone sees us discussing something that isn't safe, it is only to see if there is a safe way to do it. :thumbup:

 

[kenn1320]

Hey guys my comment was just me thinking out loud not pointed at anyone..... Duscussions about safety are needed..... It keeps are awareness higher which is a good thing. I really was just thinking out loud or voicing my own opinion. Sorry if it came across otherwise

No it didn't Dave, I think you were spot on. Discussions about safety are absolutely needed. If anyone sees us discussing something that isn't safe, it is only to see if there is a safe way to do it. :thumbup:

X2 I like bouncing ideas off the group and appreciate the experience some have with actual climbing gear.

 

[BassBoysLLP]

Agreed Dave. I do a fmea on all my equipment prior to the season. Safety is number 1.

 

[kenn1320]

Agreed Dave. I do a fmea on all my equipment prior to the season. Safety is number 1.

So while your here, check out the amsteel thread and give us your opinion.

 

[DaveT1963]

I just did. Its a great product but for a lineman's belt I would sleeve it (especially if you are working on rough barked trees)

 

[kenn1320]

I just did. Its a great product but for a lineman's belt I would sleeve it (especially if you are working on rough barked trees)

That was directed to bassboy, but your opinion is always welcome. Look at the post where we are talking about using it as a tether and possibly going to the larger diameter to use a ropeman1 on it.

http://www.saddlehunter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1192

 

[DaveT1963]

I just did. Its a great product but for a lineman's belt I would sleeve it (especially if you are working on rough barked trees)

That was directed to bassboy, but your opinion is always welcome. Look at the post where we are talking about using it as a tether and possibly going to the larger diameter to use a ropeman1 on it.

http://www.saddlehunter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1192

opps sorry

 

[bubba g]

Did they discontinue the helium sticks, or are they just so popular they can't keep up with demand?

I can't find them in stock anywhere... i want just 1 for one stick climbing...

 

[redsquirrel]

Did they discontinue the helium sticks, or are they just so popular they can't keep up with demand?

I can't find them in stock anywhere... i want just 1 for one stick climbing...

I think they are just in a lull in production. The same thing happened this time last year.

 

[bubba g]

I think they are just in a lull in production. The same thing happened this time last year.

Ok cool... thanks